General Information About Panic and Anxiety Attacks
Panic attacks occur with people because of an irrational fear and certain triggers that stimulate the phenomenon. Panic attacks are both physical (heartbeat, sweating and chills) and mental occasions. One unique feature of panic attacks is their sudden nature. Even though, individuals suffer from panic attacks for different reasons most of the symptoms and effects are the same. Once, and attack occurs it can be hard for that person to understand what has happened and why, so the first step is to understand some of the basic issues. However, once experienced, a victim of a panic attacks generates great anxiety, because the thought of having another attack frightens them to the core. It is the projection of them into the future, which can have a detrimental affect not only to their health, but also to recovery in general.
A major issue for someone experiencing panic attacks is treatment. A combination of therapy and medication can bring some relief. One type of therapy is behavioral and the technique that is used is interoceptive exposure. This is when a person directly deals with their fear and anxiety of having another panic attack. They might be shown that not all the symptoms of an attack will necessarily lead to another occurrence. One could say this treatment and technique is a sophisticated, “facing your fears.” It is part relaxation therapy and teaching an individual to become more introspective; that is, to realize the effects (mentally and physically) which are occurring at the time of the attack. Accomplishing this technique will bring a sense of ease, understanding, and rationality to suffering. That is the therapy lets the victim know and become accustomed to certain triggers and irrational fears.
Relaxation techniques can be used as well. When a person feels an attack coming they will train themselves to relax. They will calm down their physical tension (shoulders, back and arms) and then slowly focus on their breath, to reduce their heartbeat. The most important aspect of relaxation therapy is to calm the thought -process. To realize that the fear is irrational, that they are going to survive, they are not going crazy are all parts of the positive effects of relaxation. Without this primary defense to panic attacks a sufferer might not be able to break the chain of panic attacks. If the person cannot become introspective and relax, then he or she will never truly comprehend the situation and move toward recovery. Since all of these thoughts can produce an even stronger sensation of panic.
Panic attacks are symptoms of a panic disorder that is caused by anxiety. Post traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder are just a couple of the manifestations of anxiety/panic disorders. No matter if the person is compulsive about certain actions to or if they have experience a traumatic situation the enemy is the anxiety which is being experienced. The important thing to remember is there are therapies and techniques which can help an individual recover and live a productive life. The only thing that needs to happen is for the victim of panic attacks to speak out and wish to recover with the means necessary.