Your heart is racing, feeling like it is pounding out of your chest. Your throat feels tight and you are having difficulty breathing. Your stomach rolls with nausea. You find yourself fighting to hold down your lunch. All of this is accompanied by an overwhelming fear. You feel out of control, like death is just around the corner.
Even though it doesn't always feel this way, this is a panic attack. If you've experienced any of this, you may be one of many who have a panic disorder. It's important to understand that a panic disorder is a category of an anxiety disorder. While the number may seem small, 2-3% of anxiety sufferers are affected by this condition. However, around thirty percent of the patients may experience panic attacks at some point.
The truth is panic disorders are misunderstood. We don't know how they come about exactly, or even what makes someone like yourself susceptible to them. Then again, we do know it appears in the teenage years and early adulthood. Oddly enough, more women are hit with panic disorder than men.
The symptoms won't always be the same between each individual either. In fact, some situations last a few minutes while others can last for 30. If you're wondering if what you're enduring is a panic attack, then you need to look at the symptoms. They are anything from chest pain, breathing difficulties, the feeling of doom or shaking and trembling to, nausea and vomiting, hot or cold flashes, or feeling faint. The important issue is that they come out of nowhere.
Sufferers may begin to avoid the activities or places that they associate with their panic attack. In some cases, they may become agoraphobic, scared to leave their own homes, preferring to remain in comfortable, familiar surroundings. However, this doesn't always resolve the problem. Left untreated, panic disorder can have a widespread effect on not only the sufferer, but others around them.
After all, the research that has been done, there have been findings of potential causes. All it takes is the individual to have a bad experience, and then harbor the potential bad things to come.
You will find that there are several treatments for panic disorder. Whether or not they're the right one for you remains to be seen. For instance, if you head to the doctor and they prescribe anti-depressants, they probably won't work. In fact, they've pretty much been proven not to work. Instead it's more like they freeze your emotion, and come with side effects and possible addiction.
Since medication of that nature is out the window, a natural approach might be your best bet. Having the proper rest, exercising, and changing your diet may play a major role in controlling and reducing your anxiety disorder. Heck, just getting 8-10 hours a sleep can reduce anxiety by 50%. You can find some good self-help books on this and other natural benefits online.
Some experts believe that stress can play a role in panic disorder. Exercise is an excellent stress reliever. In addition to relieving stress, exercise helps you maintain a healthy body weight, necessary to keeping hormone levels in balance.
Food is another important area. The research over the years suggests that some foods increase anxiety. Some things you might want to stay away from are coffee, dairy products, refined, sugar, honey, and maple syrup. The best thing to do is keep a food log.
Relaxation is also key. When you are relaxed, anxiety and fear are diminished. Your nerves are more stable and you are better able to handle situations you may be faced with. Yoga and meditation can help soothe your spirit. Some patients have found aromatherapy helpful in relaxing and keeping stress at bay. Bergamot, chamomile, lavender and ylang ylang are all well-known for their calming properties.
Granted, it's possible this won't cure your panic disorder. However, it can reduce and control your panic attacks. The idea is to have as much of a normal life as you can. - 30437
Even though it doesn't always feel this way, this is a panic attack. If you've experienced any of this, you may be one of many who have a panic disorder. It's important to understand that a panic disorder is a category of an anxiety disorder. While the number may seem small, 2-3% of anxiety sufferers are affected by this condition. However, around thirty percent of the patients may experience panic attacks at some point.
The truth is panic disorders are misunderstood. We don't know how they come about exactly, or even what makes someone like yourself susceptible to them. Then again, we do know it appears in the teenage years and early adulthood. Oddly enough, more women are hit with panic disorder than men.
The symptoms won't always be the same between each individual either. In fact, some situations last a few minutes while others can last for 30. If you're wondering if what you're enduring is a panic attack, then you need to look at the symptoms. They are anything from chest pain, breathing difficulties, the feeling of doom or shaking and trembling to, nausea and vomiting, hot or cold flashes, or feeling faint. The important issue is that they come out of nowhere.
Sufferers may begin to avoid the activities or places that they associate with their panic attack. In some cases, they may become agoraphobic, scared to leave their own homes, preferring to remain in comfortable, familiar surroundings. However, this doesn't always resolve the problem. Left untreated, panic disorder can have a widespread effect on not only the sufferer, but others around them.
After all, the research that has been done, there have been findings of potential causes. All it takes is the individual to have a bad experience, and then harbor the potential bad things to come.
You will find that there are several treatments for panic disorder. Whether or not they're the right one for you remains to be seen. For instance, if you head to the doctor and they prescribe anti-depressants, they probably won't work. In fact, they've pretty much been proven not to work. Instead it's more like they freeze your emotion, and come with side effects and possible addiction.
Since medication of that nature is out the window, a natural approach might be your best bet. Having the proper rest, exercising, and changing your diet may play a major role in controlling and reducing your anxiety disorder. Heck, just getting 8-10 hours a sleep can reduce anxiety by 50%. You can find some good self-help books on this and other natural benefits online.
Some experts believe that stress can play a role in panic disorder. Exercise is an excellent stress reliever. In addition to relieving stress, exercise helps you maintain a healthy body weight, necessary to keeping hormone levels in balance.
Food is another important area. The research over the years suggests that some foods increase anxiety. Some things you might want to stay away from are coffee, dairy products, refined, sugar, honey, and maple syrup. The best thing to do is keep a food log.
Relaxation is also key. When you are relaxed, anxiety and fear are diminished. Your nerves are more stable and you are better able to handle situations you may be faced with. Yoga and meditation can help soothe your spirit. Some patients have found aromatherapy helpful in relaxing and keeping stress at bay. Bergamot, chamomile, lavender and ylang ylang are all well-known for their calming properties.
Granted, it's possible this won't cure your panic disorder. However, it can reduce and control your panic attacks. The idea is to have as much of a normal life as you can. - 30437
About the Author:
Meanwhile, Julie U. Stevenson has suffered from panic attacks for many years. We recommend checking out at her story by visiting here website: Panic Attacks and discover how she was able to rid herself of this burden and get her life back.
