A Beginners Guide on How to Treat Panic Attacks
By Patricia Adams
While panic may be the body’s normal reaction to a potentially dangerous situation, panic that is caused by something as simple as everyday activities is anything but normal. When we find ourselves in what could be classified as a dangerous situation our bodies trigger a fight or response so we can avoid harm in a potentially dangerous situation. What makes a panic attack different than just plain panic is when your body triggers a fight for flight response in a situation that poses no threat to your safety.
Panic attacks can start without any form of warning which is why it is so important that you learn how to treat panic attacks. An attack can last for anywhere from a few minutes to possibly an hour, and even after the attack is over, it can take some time before you feel completely normal again. Panic attacks are actually much more common than one may think. It is not unusual for someone to experience one of these attacks since at least one in five people will experience at least one panic attack in their lifetime.
When you experience a panic attack it is not unusual to worry about having another one which is why it is so important to learn how to treat attacks. Those who feel they are unable to control attacks may start to avoid certain situations or activities that could possibly trigger an attack. Many figure if they avoid the trigger, they can stop a panic attack from occurring, but instead of controlling panic attacks the attacks control them by forcing the sufferer to make a change in lifestyle changes usually not for the better. In order to better learn how to treat panic attacks, here are some of the most common symptoms so you can take control of the situation before it grows beyond your control. They are:
- Sweating
- Experiencing a shortness of breath, like you are unable to get enough air
- A pounding heart
- Pains in your chest (commonly confused with a symptom of a heart attack)
- Feeling like you are unsteady
- Feeling like you are choking
- A dry mouth
- Experiencing hot or cold flushes
- Experiencing a tingling sensation
- Feeling faint
- Uncontrollable trembling
- Nausea or diarrhea
- Feeling like you are losing control or that you can’t escape from a situation
While panic attacks are quite common, the causes for these attacks are still not fully known. Some believe that stress, ongoing stress, or even a stressful event is commonly associated with a form of panic attack. Since stress commonly alters the levels of the chemicals in your body that influence the fight or flight response, it should come as no surprise that the two are so closely linked. There are also some illnesses, like diabetes, asthma, or inner ear problems, that can have symptoms that are quite similar to the symptoms of attack so it’s a good idea to check with your doctor first before self diagnosing. Especially if some of these illnesses run in your family. Other disorders like depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder are associated with panic attacks so these may also need to be investigated when working to get to the root cause of what causes your attacks.
If you find yourself suffering from some form more often than you may like, then you are probably looking for ways to control panic attacks once and for all. Here are some tips on how to treat panic attacks so you can stop worrying and start living your life.
- Don’t be afraid to talk to yourself. When you find yourself in a panic inducing situation remember to remind yourself that it is only an uncomfortable feeling and that it will pass. Try thinking about something else, try and count backwards in threes from 100, sing the lines to your favorite song, or concentrate on your breathing, anything that draws your attention to something other than what you are currently feeling.
- Consider changing your diet. Stimulants like coffee, soda or anything else with caffeine can be a trigger for a panic attack. Even drugs, alcohol and smoking can trigger an attack so you may want to avoid these substances in order to control panic attacks.
- Get involved in some form of exercise routine. When starts the hormones start pumping through your body like adrenaline and it is these hormones that feed your panicked feeling. A good way to stop a panic attack is to exercise. Exercising increases your heart rate and with regular exercise you decrease your chance of experiencing yet another attack.
- Involve yourself in some form of relaxation technique. If you find that you are suffering from a lot of listening to a relaxation CD for as little as a half hour can help put you in a calming frame of mind. Even techniques like yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, or something as simple as going for a walk can help you relax which helps decrease your stress levels and when you stress less you decrease your chance of experiencing a panic attack.
- Practice slow breathing. This is a technique that can help you control even when you are not having one. When you learn how to slow down your breathing you can calm your body down, possibly stopping a panic attack all together. Practice the following:
- Hold your breath and count to 10 and then release the breath out.
- Breathe deeply in through your nose for the count of 3 and then out your mouth for the count of 3. Continue this process for one minute.
- Hold your breath a second time and count of 10.
- Follow these steps and do it for about 20 minutes a day and at any other time when you are feeling panicky.
- Enlist the help of a professional. If you find you are suffering from a lot of panic attacks and you are unable to control these attacks, you may need to enlist the help of a professional. A psychologist that specializes in anxiety disorders can help you learn how to control once and for all.
While they are not uncommon, dealing with and controlling panic attacks can be a frightening experience. If you find your attacks have grown beyond your control, consider seeking the help of a trained professional as they can help you learn how to stop your attacks once and for all.
Patricia Adams of PanicAnxietyCure-Reviews.com, had suffered from panic attacks for over twenty years, but fortunately found help from it’s debilitating effects and cured herself permanently. She now dedicates her time in helping other panic and anxiety sufferers get the info that they need to gain ultimate freedom. Patricia now constantly reviews new products and natural cures in the market to make sure you get the best value products that work for you. Check out actual user reviews of the best panic and anxiety natural cures at PanicAnxietyCure-Reviews.com.
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Author loves the psychological component of combatting irrational panic attacks and fears that feel very real.
