Panic Attacks: What They Are & How You Can Get Relief
Anyone who has had a panic attack knows what a scary experience it can be. Worse yet, panic attacks can get more debilitating if left untreated. In this article we’ll share the major signs of panic attacks, what triggers them, and some treatment options. The good news is that panic attacks do respond well to proper treatment.
What are panic attacks?
Panic attacks fall into the category of anxiety disorders, but are more acute and disabling than general anxiety. A noted researcher and expert on anxiety, Dr. Claire Weekes, states that a panic attack is “an anxious thought about change in the rhythm of the body that can send the body into a tailspin of anxiety”. This tailspin brings about a variety of physical symptoms:
Symptoms that you may be having a panic attack:
- Cardiovascular- such as increased heartbeat and heart palpitations
- Respiratory- A feeling of suffocation, smothering, tightness of the chest, and irregular breathing
- Vision- Blurred vision, seeing stars
- Digestion- Nausea, constipation
- General- Dry mouth, trembling, numbness and tingling in the fingers and hands, physical exhaustion, tired and drained; excessive sweating, and shakiness
What makes a panic attack worse is that many of its’ signs mimic those of a heart attack. These symptoms can make the victim fearful for their life. The good news is that while panic attacks do put some stress on the body, they don’t permanently harm you in any way.
What causes Panic Attacks?
Before a panic attack occurs, the stage is usually set by long term general anxiety, which exhausts the emotions, mind or body. This anxiety creates a situation of hyper-sensitivity to potential triggers, which can put you into an emotional tailspin. These triggers can be either external or internal.
For example, one person may suffer from general anxiety because of long-term exposure to a stressful office environment. An external event, such as hearing rumors of a massive upcoming layoff, can cause fear that serves as a trigger for a panic attack.
Alternatively, a person that suffers from general anxiety may be exposed to the same stressful environment. Hearing the layoff rumor, they may actually be relieved. However, while jogging at lunch time their heart starts to beat too rapidly. This rapid heartbeat is likely a symptom that’s been going on for some time due to the stressful office environment, but the jogger may interpret their symptoms as a heart condition. The fear for their health can serve as an internal trigger and cause a panic attack.
Whether a panic attack is caused by an internal or external trigger, there are a number of treatment options available that treat panic attacks and general anxiety.
Treatment options for panic attacks and anxiety:
- Medication: Tranquilizers such as Xanax or Valium, as well as anti-depressants such as Prozac or Zoloft. These are aimed at correcting ‘chemical imbalances’.
- Therapy: Traditional talk therapy, hypnosis and guided imagery: Aimed at changing our response to certain inputs.
- Relaxation, Spiritual healing, BioFeedback, and Yoga: These therapies teach techniques to calm the mind and/or body
- Holistic Programs: These programs usually combine education, visualization, physical and relaxation techniques and are aimed at treating both general anxiety and panic attacks.
As treatment options go, we believe that medication definitely has its’ place. It’s always a good idea to see a professional for proper diagnosis before starting any treatment plan. This is especially true as most experts say that some disorders, such as manic-depression, are best treated with the incorporation of medication. Once the body chemistry is stabilized, other therapies may compliment or replace the medication and ensure long-term success.
For the majority of cases, however, medication may be unnecessary. Non-medical therapies such as relaxation, biofeedback, talk therapy, and holistic programs can provide a good, holistic solution. We are particularly impressed with the Panic Away holistic program, which stands above other products on the market. The reason for this is twofold. First, Panic Away treats panic attacks and general anxiety all within one program. Second, it also takes a holistic approach to healing the whole person – mind, body and spirit. This multi-pronged treatment is laid out in simple steps that are easy to remember and effective. You can read our Panic Away Review by Clicking Here.
