Understanding Panic Attack Treatments

Panic disorder and anxiety problems affect millions of people every year. Researchers say that more women than men are diagnosed with or experience symptoms of panic disorder and anxiety problems, and that in most cases, the cause is unknown.

According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 10% of people who experience a panic attack become housebound and refuse to leave their home alone. Almost 30% of people suffering from panic disorder lose their job, get demoted, or settle for a job that they are overqualified for because they cannot handle their regular job responsibilities. Many people suffering from panic disorders and anxiety problems have great difficulty maintaining healthy social relationships and living a productive life.

These are all startling statistics, and it’s clear that panic disorders and anxiety problems can cause several problems in a person’s life. Still, there are some treatment options available. Anxiety disorder treatments range from nutritional supplements, exercise, dietary changes, therapy and prescription medication. More severe cases may require medical intervention, but many people can improve anxiety symptoms and experience fewer panic attacks simply by making some lifestyle changes and identifying the causes or events that trigger the anxiety.

There are two main types of treatments for anxiety. The first addresses only anxiety symptoms. Most people who experience elevated feelings of anxiety are familiar with symptoms such as tightness in the chest, sweating, heart palpitations, extreme nervousness, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty breathing. There are several natural ways to reduce these symptoms and help restore the person’s feeling of control and balance.

The second type of treatment focuses on addressing the cause of the anxiety or panic attack. In some cases, anxiety is the result of a particular situation or event that is occurring in the present moment. In other cases, the person is thinking about the possibility of a negative event or situation, and is starting to feel anxious about what could happen. Whatever the case may be, tracing the root cause can determine if the person is feeling anxiety because of a reasonable cause, or if they just need to reframe their thinking to get a better handle on the situation.

Both of these treatments provide options for those who are suffering from anxiety, panic disorder and anxiety attacks on a regular basis. These conditions can be very debilitating, and interfere with day-to-day life. In some cases, anxiety may be coupled with depression, insomnia or other mental health conditions.

Anxiety symptoms are more pronounced in some people than in others, and can trigger a panic or anxiety attack at any time. Identifying the symptoms as they happen and tracking them back to a cause can help the sufferer have more control over their condition and take steps to alleviate the problem. Some people may need medical intervention or therapy if the anxiety or panic attacks are so frequent that they limit the person’s ability to work, socialize and rest or sleep properly.

Overcoming anxiety is possible, but it can take time to see an improvement. However, there are several different strategies and treatment options available for those who suffer from anxiety attacks, panic disorder, and related problems.

Identifying Agoraphobia Symtoms

For the millions of people suffering from anxiety attacks and panic disorders every year, handling stressful situations or maintaining a balanced lifestyle can be a challenge. Many people who have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder may also experience agoraphobia, an intense fear of having an anxiety attack in public. For many people an anxiety attack may lead to being judged or ridiculed, so the person may try and avoid social situations solely because of this fear.

According to MedicalNewsToday.com, “the anxiety associated with agoraphobia is so severe that panic attacks are not unusual, and individuals with agoraphobia typically try to avoid the location or cause of the fear.” There are several ways to recognize the signs and symptoms of agoraphobia. Most people develop this phobia after experiencing several panic attacks in public, and experiencing the intense feelings of ‘being out of control.’

Someone with agoraphobia is often afraid of being in a situation where they are too far away from home, or being home alone. Some may feel fearful when they are in a large crowd such as at a concert, sports game, theme park or even a shopping center. Some people experience extreme anxiety when they are traveling in a car, bus or plane. Others may experience extreme anxiety by being in an elevator, underground train, or other constricted space where they have limited options to ‘escape.’

One of the most distinguishing features of agoraphobia is that the person will experience extreme anxiety in any situation where it can be difficult to escape, or it may be embarrassing to leave. This means that the person will avoid situations where they must follow a crowd, or do something where they cannot walk away if they start to feel uncomfortable.

Some of the key signs and symptoms of agoraphobia are: intense, often irrational fear about being in a public place; avoidance of a particular place or situation; canceling of trips or meetings out of fear of an attack; and social withdrawal. Ultimately, agoraphobia can take its toll on the person’s emotional well-being and social life, making it very difficult for them to connect with other people in a natural, stress-free way.

Many people suffering from agoraphobia try and mange their feelings by developing another anxiety disorder or problem. Some try and numb their feelings by overeating, drinking alcohol, or consuming caffeine or nicotine. Others may turn to obsessive-compulsive disorder for relief; in this situation, the person becomes preoccupied with rituals and order in order to alleviate their symptoms and feel some level of relief.

Agoraphobia is not a diagnosed panic disorder, but is one of several anxiety problems that plagues millions of people every year. If it is left unaddressed for an extensive period of time, the person may start to withdraw from society, be unable to perform at their job, and have difficulty forming close relationships. All of these symptoms can be treated with medical intervention, therapy and even natural supplements. A combination of lifestyle changes and changes in behavior can help many people overcome the effects of agoraphobia so that they can enjoy life again.

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Anxious Thoughts and Broken Records

Have you ever noticed that anxious thoughts are like a broken record?

I know with Ipods etc. it’s a bit outdated to be using a record analogy here but it works well to illustrate a key point about anxious thoughts.

Remember when a record got scratched it made a very unpleasant sound and caused the needle to get stuck on the same groove.

The same one line would play over and over again ad nauseam until you picked up the needle and moved it past the scratch.

Anxious thoughts are bit like this. You might be happily going about your day and then something triggers an anxious thought.

The worry the thought creates sends an unpleasant shock wave through your nervous system. (The scratch on the record).

Then once you start reacting to the anxious thought it is hard to stop thinking about it over and over again. (The needle stuck in a groove)

The repetitive anxious thought can last minutes, hours , days depending on how upset you become by the thought.

I want to share with you a quick technique to jump out of this anxious groove. This technique is you learning how to pick up the record needle and move it past the scratch.

Here it is:

1, Observe 2, Trust 3, Move

Observe the anxious thought and label it. Say

“Oh there is fear X again, imagine that”

Try your very best to not get sucked into reacting emotionally to the thought.

Then

Trust that what you are worrying about will in all probability never come about. Almost all the anxious thoughts we have are a complete waste of our energy.

Trust that things will work out fine.

Joseph Cossman said “If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.”

If you are religious/spiritual then hand your anxious thought over to a higher power. Trust that there is nothing to fear and you will be looked after.

Trust and let it go.

“Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He’s going to be up all night anyway. ” ~Mary C. Crowley

Lastly,

Move your attention elsewhere. Focus on something positive that takes your mind out of the anxious groove.

Replace the anxious thought with a positive thought. You are not trying to suppress the anxious thought, you are simply moving your attention elsewhere. To continue the record analogy, you pick the record needle up (your attention) and move it out of the groove it was caught in.

If you are engaged in an activity then move your attention fully there. Be 100% present in the moment.

If you are walking focus on the surroundings, if you are driving observe all the sights and sounds. If you are with someone focus all your attention on them.

By moving your attention into the present moment there is no room for anxious thoughts to dominate your mind.

Play around with both moving your attention to positive thoughts or into the present moment. Different people find one or the other is easier to accomplish. The key thing is to move your mind out of the anxious groove and put you back in your natural flow.

So to sum up remember O.T.M.

Observe, Trust, Move

It takes a bit of practice but as long as you remember the above 3 steps you will be able to dramatically eliminate anxious thoughts from your day.

To learn more about how to end panic attacks and general anxiety fast then

Click Here

Barry McDonagh

PanicAway.com

download panic away now Anxious Thoughts and Broken Records

All material provided is for informational or educational purposes only. No content is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition