Panic Disorders Versus Panic Attacks

Why the Symptoms of a Panic Attack Vary From Those of a Panic Disorder
By Patricia Adams

While it is perfectly natural to experience some level of fear about an upcoming event, like a big test or presentation, the symptoms should not be confused with the symptoms of fear and anxiety in a specific situation. Unlike anxiety, it is a specific episode where you experience an intense level of panic and terror with some of the most common symptoms being the following:

  • A pounding or fast heartbeat
  • Feeling hot, sweating for no reason, or experiencing body chills in a warm room
  • Feeling faint, dizzy or weak
  • Experiencing a numbing or tingling of hands
  • Experiencing chest pain or feeling like you are being smothered. This symptom is why panic attacks are commonly lead people to believe they may be having a heart attack
  • Experiencing a sense of unreality
  • Experiencing a fear of imminent disaster or loss of control
  • Having a fear of dying

Unlike anxiety, can occur suddenly and without warning. If you have experienced the symptoms of a panic attack then you probably know that these attacks can happen at any time and usually do not need a cause. While most attacks may only last for a few minutes, some can last for up to 10 minutes and in extreme cases they can last as long as an hour which while uncommon.

The symptoms of a panic attack can be present in people of any age, including children, adults, the elderly, and most commonly being present in young adults. It is also believed that these attacks will affect up to 12% Australians at some point in their lives, and that the symptoms of a panic attack are twice as likely to be seen in women as in men. While it may be easy to assume that the symptoms you are experiencing are those of a panic attack, you need to keep in mind that the symptoms, while similar, can actually be those of an illness. An attack can be caused by the physiological effects of a drug addiction or by a non-psychological medical condition, such as hyperthyroidism. It is in these cases that the symptoms of a panic attack would not be classified in the same way.

If treatment for panic attacks is not received, these attacks can morph into what is commonly known as a panic disorder. Unlike panic attacks, a panic disorder commonly includes a strong sense of anxiety between attacks since the sufferer fears when their next attack may occur. Sufferers may also develop a form of phobia or even generalized agoraphobia if the root cause not addressed. Many develop phobias or fears of being placed back in the situation or location where the first attack occurred, and is commonly why those who suffer from some form of panic disorder will choose to avoid certain locations or events. If some form of treatment for panic disorder is not received, the sufferer could potentially never leave their home, for fear that another attack may be around the corner.

Since many may be embarrassed about their disorder, most may choose to utilize some form of panic attacks self help instead of enlisting the help of a trained professional. While this may help to reduce the occurrence of symptoms and the severity of the attacks, it will not help prevent the onset of more serious illnesses like panic disorder or agoraphobia. Panic attacks self help commonly include relaxation techniques, behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, assertiveness training, and relapse prevention. Self help methods never target the underlying causes for an attack which is why it is so important to seek professional treatment for panic attacks.

Panic attacks do not discriminate and symptoms can be found in those who many not think they are prone to anxiety. If you find that you experiencing anxiety symptoms much more than normal, don’t be afraid to seek help so you can find ways to prevent these attacks from having a negative impact on your way of life.

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patricia_Adams

http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-the-Symptoms-of-a-Panic-Attack-Vary-From-Those-of-a-Panic-Disorder&id=3690193

Andrew Larder
Author loves the psychological component of combatting irrational panic attacks and fears that feel very real.

Panic Attack Treatment Trick

Reverse Psychology Panic Attack Treatment Trick To Stop Panic Attacks Dead
By Abby Hill

If you are like me and have suffered from the debilitating and frightening effects of panic attacks (and seek a panic attacks treatment), you’ll probably cringe when you think about the following symptoms.

If you suffer from…

* Palpitations

* Your heart pounding and/or accelerated heart rate

* Excess perspiration

* Trembling or nervous shaking

* Shortness of breath

* Feel like you are choking

* Tight chest

* Nausea or stomach cramps

* Derealization (a feeling of nonreality)

* Fear of losing control or going crazy

* Fear of dying

* Numbness or a tingling sensation

* Chills or hot flashes

…then you know first hand the experience and common symptoms of a panic attack or anxiety attack.

You might alternatively be reading this article because you know of a loved one or family member who suffers from panic attacks and you want to try to understand the complexities of this form of anxiety with the hope of finding panic attacks treatment options.

If you have never experienced a panic attack yourself here is an idea of what it’s like for us..

Imagine you are standing in a store queue and you are almost at the checkout after waiting behind other customers in the line. Seemingly out of no where, you can feel it rising, a sense of impending panic? An unpleasant and sickening feeling forms in the base of your throat, your chest tightens, your breath becomes fast and labored and your heart starts racing. You are think oh no please not here not now!

You do a quick scan of the surroundings to establish the “threat level”? You all of a sudden feel claustrophobic and surrounded by strangers. Pins and needles invade your limbs, you fell lightheaded and dizzy, followed by a huge rush of fear as you dread what you fear the most. Here comes your next panic attack.

You have doubt in your mind that this is likely be a big one. You think, okay just remember the pattern interrupting steps that you have been taught – you start to apply your coping techniques. The first is usually deep breathing exercise panic attacks treatment recommended by doctors. Breathe In through your nose, out through your mouth.

You focus on relaxing thoughts, and again, while breathing correctly, think “Relax,” then exhaling. But it does not seem to make any positive difference; if anything, concentrating on breathing just makes you feel more self-conscious and more uptight.

You move on to coping technique 2:

Progressive muscle relaxation. You start by tensing both shoulders, holding for 10 seconds, before releasing. You give it another go but there is still no difference. The more you try, the greater the level of anxiety builds and this is compounded by the fast that you have used all of the coping techniques you know further driving you into your panic. You feel alone and wish there was someone to help you get through it.

This is the point where you can feel the adrenaline pumping through your system, saturating your body with uncomfortable sensations. You feel the dreaded loss of complete control overriding your emotions. No body surrounding you has a clue as to the level of sheer terror you are experiencing. The worst they are feeling is the annoyance of a frustrating slow queue they are having to deal with in the supermarket.

Your options are looking scarce. Time for Plan C.

The most primal coping skill is the fight or flight human response of “fleeing.” You escape the queue feeling rather embarrassed as you hurriedly deposit your items at the counter unpaid for. The cashier watches you leave your shopping behind and make a break for the door. You just can’t wait to get out of there and find a place to suffer your attack alone. There is always the thought that comes to the forefront of your mind that this could be the one that “drops you”. Could this be the one you are terrified will push you over the edge mentally and physically. Another 10 minutes along and the momentum of the panic attack and energy disperses.

If its only 9am you think to yourself how am I going to get through the balance of the day?

If you are a regular sufferer of panic or anxiety attacks, the scenario I just described probably sounds all too familiar. Just reading this may well have induced familiar feelings of dread and discomfort. The specific circumstances that trigger your panic and anxiety might be different and unique to you physically or mentally. You may have even had some really benign place and time that your experienced a panic attack, still the sensations are all too familiar.

If this is you and have had what is commonly known as a “panic attack,” you can be assured that you are by no means alone in your plight.

Panic attack sufferers often report an acute sense of impending doom. It’s common to feel close to losing your mind or like your body is in crisis mode like your body is speeding up of shutting down.

You are one of hundreds of thousands of people. In the USA, it is estimated that almost 5% of people suffer from one of more forms of anxiety disorder. For many they are sporadic panic attacks that are situation specific e.g. public speaking. For other people they can be a daily occurrence which can be very debilitating. Frequent panic attacks are deemed medically as “anxiety disorders”.

The key is to get the right advice from someone who understands fully the psychology and options that have been proven to work, not just the theory.

You can start right now by understanding the vital and surprisingly simple methods you can implement to stop the cycle of panic or anxiety attacks in your life. It’s by applying a few simple strategies that followed correctly will give you back your life and confidence to live life fully again.

You might be surprised to know…?

The difference between someone who is an “ex panic attack sufferer” and a current one is quite simple. If you step over the barriers that you can easy overcome, you will no longer fear panic attacks.

Would you be shocked if I told you that the key to ending panic and anxiety attacks is to wish for one. Yes I know that sounds contradictory and ridiculous, but allow me to explain.

The fact that you are calling an panic attack to you actually repels it. If I demanded that you have a panic attack right this minute you’d probably be hard pressed to achieve it right?

If you’ve heard of the saying “what you resist, persists” then this principle applied to panic attacks as well. If you resist your situation because of fear, the fear surrounding it will also persist. This is one of the secrets I learned about that totally surprised me but transformed my life and freed me forever from panic attacks.

In essence this means that if you are trying to have a panic attack – it will evade you. Try right now to create a panic attack in yourself and I can bet you’ll have difficulty. Deciding to panic is a subconscious decision and you are essentially giving it power by saying this is beyond my control. That’s all about to change if you decide to apply what I learned!

If you can imagine having a panic or anxiety attack like being at the edge of a cliff. Your anxiety is the thing that seems to be forcing you closer to the edge.

The key is to take and leap and take a metaphorical jump over the edge – despite your fear!

How does this relate to panic attacks? Wanting to have a panic attack is like jumping. You ask for anxiety and panic attacks to show up.

This sound totally contradictory and maybe even scary – that’s quite normal, but hidden in this seemingly ironic action is the key to completely eliminating panic attacks from your life – in less than a week for many people so far!!

It doesn’t matter how bad a panic attack feels, the truth is they can’t hurt you. You are not in harms way despite your body and mind screaming otherwise. Your leap becomes a 2 foot drop instead of a huge chasm….and it’s not as scary when you do it the right way with the right guidance. Remember you are not alone and thousands of other people have left panic attacks behind!

This is the concept I learned that changed my life by following the advice of Barry Mcdonagh. Barry is not only a technical expert on Panic Related disorders, he also understands the human emotional impact panic or anxiety attacks have on one’s life. It’s extremely freeing having the ability to master my own mind instead of being at the mercy of what used to be emotionally crippling panic attacks.

Abby Hill of www.treatmentpanicattack.com once suffered from chronic panic attacks. Abby shares how she applied two very effective (and surprisingly simple) panic attacks treatment techniques to totally eliminate panic & anxiety from anyones life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abby_Hill

http://EzineArticles.com/?Reverse-Psychology-Panic-Attack-Treatment-Trick-To-Stop-Panic-Attacks-Dead&id=5817784

Andrew Larder
Author loves the psychological component of combatting irrational panic attacks and fears that feel very real.