Stop Panic Attacks Easily Using This Techniques
By learning to understand why the panic attacks occur, and learn to control various fears and anxieties, sufferers can actually stop panic attacks. Some people may experience repeated attacks with no apparent reasons as to why. Others are afraid of something, and often the fear is irrational and unfounded. When this happens the symptoms of the attack will be progressive, often minor in the beginning.
Eventually it results in a major, much more frightening, attack. This is most likely when medical attention is sought. A sufferer may find themselves avoiding certain places and situations, for fear of an attack. This can actually worsen the problem, with irrational thoughts raising anxiety levels to unacceptable levels. Sufferers might start avoiding everyday activities like driving, shopping, eating out, or attending class. The circumstances, as to what and when they choose to avoid, will increase.
Inevitably avoidance behavior will inhibit the possibility of a normal life and, in extreme cases, can lead to agoraphobia, and worse. It can destroy morale and leave a person with feelings of hopelessness, even suffer from psychological depression. They might turn to alcohol or drugs to try and relax, thinking this will reduce their anxieties. The tragedy is, this condition is treatable, yet one in five sufferers ultimately try to end their life. This makes the necessity to stop repeated attacks even more decisive. Avoidance behavior develops because of an extreme fear, of a panic attack. It was first discussed as a recognized diagnosis in nineteen eighty, by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic& Statistical Manual (DSM) 111 in 1980. There has been much ongoing research since then.
To stop the attacks, and avoid escalating problems, you need to learn to relax and reduce your anxiety levels. Of course, this can be easier said than done. The problem is, the mind has learnt to associate ‘panic’ with various kinds of situations, like driving or visiting the Mall. This is despite the fact neither are life threatening or considered an abnormal occurrence. This is when ‘desensitization’, or ‘de-conditioning’ must take place, in order to stop panic attacks happening and avoidance behavior developing to extreme and uncontrollable proportions.
One way to execute desensitization is to gradually return the sufferer to what they see as the problem -for example shopping, or going to a restaurant. It does depend on the situation, but generally the best way to deal with the attacks is to stay in the situation which provokes them, eventually the attack will usually subside.
Cures and Alternative Treatments for Panic Attacks
Until recently, for the last decade or so, panic attacks haven’t properly been diagnosed or recognized as an actual condition for people. As a result, it hasn’t been easy finding cures for panic attacks. Sudden feelings of anxiety and emotional stress were considered a regular side effect of everyday life. Then, one day, the doctors became aware of the commonality with all the symptoms. The onset, of this condition, can vary. However the effects are more or less the same. You might experience anything from heart palpitations, tight chest or throat, restrictive breathing, or hot-flushes. Most of the time you won’t even know it is a panic attack. That is, until someone explains it to you.
Cures for panic attacks have often been remedied via chemical controls. Recent research has led to some alternative methods, that help assist people with the condition, without the need to take any form of medication. Chemical treatment, through the use of a medication such as Diazepam and Lorazepam, are common. They contain benzodiazepine which is effective in calming the nervous system down and relaxing the muscles. However, much debate has gone on about its use. Mainly due to the addictive traits it has on people who’ve used it for a long time. Psychologists have also been known to prescribe anti-depressants for the condition, to assist in maintaining the serotonin levels in the body. Serotonin is basically your body’s own naturally produced ‘happy drug’. It is a hormone, responsible for your mood, greater levels mean a happier mood.
Alternative treatments are somewhat more popular of late. Alternative treatments do not use any chemicals. Apart from alternative therapies and medication, the most common form of treatment is found on the couch of a qualified professional. They exercise cognitive behavioral therapy with the patient. This actively helps to give a person better understanding of their thoughts, and so create awareness. It has been found effective for people who are willing to see a professional therapist, but going to therapy is not always a favorite thing to do. All too often it is avoided by the people it would most benefit. Another alternative, people have been known to resort to, (most likely because they can help themselves), is breathing into a paper bag, or using controlled breathing. It has been known to successfully reduce the heart rate and help to calm the person down. There are so many cures for panic attacks available.
Symptoms of a Panic Attack – the Importance of Knowing the Early Signs
Panic anxiety disorder is a medical condition, it can happen suddenly and the attack itself can be severe. The symptoms of panic attack can be the same as other medical conditions. Because of this, it is important to get an assessment from your medical practitioner. The panic attack might just have been a one off, possibly due to a life threatening or highly stressful experience.
Panic and anxiety are natural reactions. Symptoms include increased heart rate, muscle tension, perspiration and rapid breathing. When this happens it is known as the ‘fight or flight’ response, and is applicable to both humans and animals. When either find themselves in an extreme situation, like in front of a speeding train, hormones are released to enable us to either stay and fight, or take flight. Panic disorder is only a possibility when neither a medical or an extreme situation like this was to blame.
If you are diagnosed, by your medical practitioner, as having panic attacks, the most important thing to do is realize what might be causing them, if any. This can be difficult because they do vary from person to person. A panic attack mimics our fight or flight responses. The physical symptoms of an attack include, an increased heart beat, with palpitations which can make your heart feel as if it is going to burst. It can effect breathing, making it difficult to get air, and might even cause chest pain or choking. Hot and cold flushes, sweating, dizziness, shaking and pins and needles in your fingers or toes can also happen. The emotional symptoms of panic Disorder can leave a sufferer virtually paralyzed with fear, feeling extreme anxiety even afraid they are going to die. Attacks come on fast, within minutes and can take anywhere from half an hour, to several hours, to completely subside.
Three quarter of sufferers are women, and it is found to affect people from the age of twenty to thirty much more frequently. Teenagers and people over forty seem to be much less likely to suffer attacks. However, there seems to be little conclusive evidence as to why these attacks are triggered, and why an ‘average’ person will suddenly begin to suffer from panic disorder. Symptoms can be aggravated when someone worries too much about having an attack. Too much anxiety and ‘what if’s’ can confuse the body, triggering our ‘fight or flight’ response un-necessarily.
Treatment for Panic Attacks Before It Is Too Late
Panic attacks often come without any obvious warning signs. They can be spontaneous, and happen at any time of day. People have even been known to suffer an attack when they are feeling calm, whilst relaxing, watching the television, and even asleep. What treatment for panic attacks will actually work for them, depends on various factors. Some people find this self treatment technique can significantly reduce how severe an attack becomes. Accept you are having an attack and assure yourself that it will be alright, and it WILL be alright. The less you panic, the more in control you should feel, and the quicker the attack will pass. Staying in control of your symptoms, naturally, is possible.
When someone has been diagnosed, there are several self help treatments they can try. But first, they need to learn to recognize quickly, when the attack is coming. Some feel their heart start to race, and their muscles becoming tense. Try to relax the shoulders, and any other muscles which may feel tense. Keep breathing slow and deep. Remember, you’re not going crazy. It WILL be alright. For most people, reassurance and natural relaxation techniques work. Attacks can pass relatively quickly, in less than half an hour. Despite this, it is a good idea to consult your medical physician. If only to rule out the possibility of any other medical conditions. If natural methods are failing, it might also be time to try medication. If you feel it necessary to seek medical advice during an attack, the doctor may give you an anti anxiety drug, such as Diazepam or Lorazepam.
However, the hospital may not feel it is necessary to prescribe them. It is not unusual to attend an evaluation by a mental health professional first. There is the possibility that a different, underlying disorder, might be the real culprit. If the professionals do decide medication is necessary, there are several drugs that could be prescribed. The primary one’s tend to be Zoloft, Prozac, Lutox and Paxil. They are all Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRI’s. Trials show they can reduce attacks by up to eighty five percent. Some doctors might prescribe a drug type known as Benzodiazepines, you might be more familiar with the names Valium and Ativan.
Natural Cure for Panic Attack
Someone can suffer from panic attacks for various reasons. It might be due to a stressful or traumatic childhood. It could happen suddenly, when the person feels anxious, or it can be due to other emotional problems, like stress or depression. More often, treatment does not need to involve any drugs, or medication, at all. A natural cure for panic attack is an option. Some people may prefer to use medications, but there are those who prefer a more wholesome solution. The problem with drugs is, they are only covering up the symptom, and not the underlying, real, problem. This can result in drug dependency, where another problem is developed, as the other one is resolved.
As with just about everything in this world, a balance is required to keep things in harmony with each other. That generally means a good diet and exercise for most. When the panic attacks begin to control our lives, there is very little left for anything else. And that’s not healthy. People who suffer attacks should avoid stimulants, like caffeine, energy drinks and alcohol. Leaving them out of your diet can be an easy, natural way to reduce the possibility of suffering an attack. There are Holistic treatments that would benefit, like aromatherapy, it is very important to try and relax. Try Camomile or Tila infusions and try using supplements, especially those known to calm the body’s nervous system, like vitamin B and magnesium. Panic attacks can be cured naturally, by improving a persons general health, physically and mentally.
Clinical trials (recently published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics) found that Passion Flower extract worked similarly to many of the prescription drugs, currently prescribed for people suffering panic attacks. Natural Healers have used it for centuries, as a cure for anxiety and insomnia. It is even believed Passion Flower extract can be used to relieve anxiety, for people withdrawing from alcohol or drug addiction. Evidence seems to be pointing to the fact, this natural flower extract, should be regarded as a powerful (and more importantly), natural cure for panic attack.
There are several homeopathic remedies and tonics available, that can help panic attack sufferer’s. They can help the nervous system from becoming run down, due to too much worry and anxiety. Without rest our mind and body can not stay alert and healthy. Some people need more sleep than others, the average is around eight hours.
Panic Attack Remedy and Symptoms
Research suggests that one in every three Americans are suffering with some form of panic or anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, those numbers do seem to be on the increase. But it’s not just affecting Americans. It is estimated around the world, around seventy five million people are suffering from attacks. Symptoms can be different for everyone. If you believe you might have a problem, it is always best to consult your doctor. You might be right, then you must discuss with your doctor, which panic attack remedy might be best for you. That may or may not involve prescription medication, it may involve therapy or using simple relaxation techniques. A professional diagnosis is also important in order to dismiss the possibility of any other medical disorders.
So what are the symptoms? There are many, the most common seem to be hot and cold flushes, dizziness and the heart suddenly beating really fast. Sometimes, the person having the attack might even think they are going to die. They can become over anxious and have problems trying to breathe. Panic is a natural reaction to anxiety and stress, and there is very little to make the body physically respond more quickly. In the natural world it is known as the ‘fight or flight’ response, and it effects both animals and humans. When the body senses danger, chemicals begin to flow, making the heart beast faster.
These physical responses are to prepare us, to either stay and fight, or take flight, when a threat is sensed. So what is the best remedy when it gets out of control? Well that depends on the individual. Changing your diet could be a good start. Stick to healthy, nutritious meals and try to stay away from caffeine, sugar and energy drinks. Anything that could cause tension. Keeping calm and finding a way to release built up anxieties is important. Exercise works for many people, even if it’s only because of the distraction, it will only do good.
Lowering stress levels is the key. In today’s world we all know that eliminating it entirely is an impossibility. But there are lots of ways to relax, both the body and the mind. Many Holistic and alternative treatments can be beneficial for many sufferers. Discovering the cause of the anxiety is also an important factor when looking for a long term, permanent solution to the problem. Cognitive behavioural therapy and medication are often an effective resolution for lots of people.
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