Worrying about panic attacks?

May 5th, 2009

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The symptoms linked to an anxiety attack settle into 2 categories: mental and physiological. It is worth noting, even so, that the physical anxiety attacks symptoms are entirely dependent upon on the mental state. That is to say, an anxiety attack does not directly make a person to start perspiring or catching one’s breath heavily – rather, it is because the person is panicking that the physical symptoms occur.

This is because one of the primary mental symptoms in an anxiety attack is fearfulness. Normally, when the brain experiences fear, it prepares the body for physical activity – fighting or running. Despite the fact that there is no particular stimulus, people suffering from panic attacks feel a very realistic fear, and so the body responds accordingly and pumps out adrenaline. This is what causes the physical reflections of an anxiety attack that most individuals are familiar with. These can include an increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, and other symptoms. The increased breathing then causes the body to take in less carbon dioxide. This in turn induces a number of other symptoms, such as feeling faint, tingling sensations, or numbness.

One problem with anxiety attacks symptoms is that can produce a positive feedback loop. When a person inexplicably begins to breathe faster, they may start to feel like they cannot take their breath, which leads to further panicking. The situation can quickly escalate, so it’s essential to try and keep in place when struggling an attack. In fact, many first-time sufferers of anxiety attacks believe that they are experiencing a heart attack or similar medical trouble, and end up in the emergency room by mistake.

Panic attacks tend to recur, so one should always look for assistance after getting one. While this isn’t always the case, for some individuals this issue develops into a more serious condition called panic disorder. Those who develop panic disorder often affect a much more long-term, though milder panic attack that can last up to a month, during which time they worry more and more about upcoming attacks. When the actual attacks occur to a person with this disorder, they tend to be more severe.

Many people with panic disorder also develop a related condition, called agoraphobia. Agoraphobics are people who produce a fear of having anxiety attacks symptoms out in a public place where they are not in control and cannot readily leave. In the most severe examples, those suffering from agoraphobia become complete shut-ins, never leaving their house, or their “safe place.” More than 30% of those who develop panic disorder also suffer from agoraphobia.

While there is no recognise remedy for panic disorder, there are several known and effective treatments to help people cope with their anxiety attacks symptoms. For example, there are numerous pharmaceuticals on the market, in the form of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicinal drugs, which can help control panic attacks. These treatments are often mixed with cognitive behavioral therapy, as a combination of medicine and therapy has tested to be the most sure-fire way to fight panic symptoms.