Symptoms Of Panic Attacks - Modern Treatments For Panic Attacks

By Hershel Walton

Kerrie had a panic attack during a work meeting. She suddenly felt dizzy, started sweating, and felt a strange surge running through her head which made her think she was having a stroke. Her head felt heavy and her limbs tingled so she had to actually lie down. She is still embarrassed about the incident.

Millions of people worldwide endure the debilitating symptoms of panic attacks. A panic attack is defined as an abrupt, severe terror and fear episode without any real reason. A panic attack can last up to thirty minutes, although many attacks can last over after just ten minutes.

Anyone who has suffered from a panic attack knows exactly what a truly frightening experience it is. There are hundreds of thousands of people who are suffering from panic attacks today.

What are the symptoms of panic attacks?

Many people experience a slight case of "butterflies in the stomach" when facing a tense situation, but full-blown anxiety attack symptoms can mean severe nausea or stomach cramps, along with muscles so tense they hurt to move, tingling or numbness in the fingers, toes, and on the face, bouts of sweating, and a pounding heartbeat. There may also be symptoms such as the fear that you are losing your mind, and feeling disassociated with your surroundings, as if you are viewing a movie.

Because so many people today suffer from panic attacks due to our hectic, stressful lifestyle, researches are spending a lot of time and money on seeking out new treatments for sufferers of anxiety and panic attacks. Surprisingly, although many still recommend conventional treatments such as medication or cognitive behavioural therapy, many physicians are also recommending that patients try more alternative techniques such as meditation, hypnosis and yoga.

Unfortunately some methods for treating panic attacks and anxiety are outdated, such as 'deep breathing', positive affirmations, or using distraction to take your mind off the fear of an attack. You may be prescribed medications that have unpleasant side effects, and if you stop taking the drugs, the panic attacks start again. - 30437

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