Do you experience sudden palpitations, dizziness, excessive sweating or the urge to run away or the feeling that the walls of the room are caving in, when placed with an unpleasant situation/person? What you are experiencing can be categorized as a Panic Attack. A panic attack happens mostly due to anxiety or phobia – A panic attack can happen to anyone; it could be due to a fear of flying, socializing, public speaking, or any kind of confrontation, etc.

A wonderful ex-colleague, who is now one of my best friends used to suffer from panic attacks. I remember how she would dread coming in to work, so she will not have to deal with our obnoxious boss. Even an email from the boss would push her into panic mode; she would be jittery and shaky due to her panic attack. It would take a lot of cajoling and comforting for her to regain her tranquility. And sometimes she would resort to tranquilizers to calm her down. It is from her that I learnt all about panic attacks and realized that there are many who have such symptoms. You could be one of the many experiencing panic attacks.

There is nothing good about such attacks, but you can make good of the situation with some practice and control from your side. To start with you need to make a mental note of when and how you panic. Knowing and understanding your trigger points will equip you with what you need to work on.

Relaxation exercises are a good way to help manage your panic attacks. Relaxation exercises will ease the tension in your muscles and declutter your mind, so you can have better control over your thoughts
and emotions. When you have control over your mind, you can control your anxiety and fears effectively and have a better grip over yourself. Having the ability to handle your trigger points and controlling your mind will in turn curb your panic attacks.

Positive thinking and approach to any situation will lead to positive results. I used to ask my friend, who used to have panic attacks because of our boss, “What is the worst he can do to you? Fire you? But, he can’t take away the good things you have, your life and your family!” That is one thing you need to understand, being in a panic filled situation is not the end of the world or your life. There’s more to life than a situation, which will pass. You cannot let your fears keep you away from enjoying life and confronting challenges. Panic will not solve your issues; it will only make it worse. So take a positive approach and set yourself free of panic.

By,
Mary-Ann Roche


Tags: panic attack

What Is Anxiety Really?

How do you describe anxiety? For me, it’s basically stress
Stress and/or anxiety can really get you down and totally wreak havoc with your overall well being.

Do you feel anxious before a dental visit or starting something new? Have you gotten the jitters before speaking in front of a large group or sweaty palms when thinking about the future?

These are common reactions when faced with something that’s scary or unfamiliar and it doesn’t necessarily mean that anything is wrong.
Although, some people suffer from a more severe form of anxiety that causes more serious physical symptoms.

So that you can better understand if your stress or anxious feelings could be a sign of an anxiety or panic attack, let’s take a look at some of the symptoms:

1. Some people have uncontrollable fears of things like crowded places, driving, or germs that cause complete avoidance of places or situations.


2. If you feel your heart is racing and you can’t breathe correctly, this can be a symptom of anxiety that is severe enough for you to get professional help.


3. Nervous behaviors, such as walking around the same area over and over again or twitching your fingers or toes repetitively, can be a symptom.


4. The consistent inability to concentrate can be a symptom of anxiety. This must be consistent behavior, and not just on those occasions when you lack sleep or are hungry, for instance.


5. Numbness in your hands, fingers, toes, and legs or feeling like you can’t stand are also common symptoms.


6. A feeling a doom or that something will happen to you, such as an accident, heart attack, or even death, can be symptoms of an anxiety disorder or panic attack.


7. If your normal activities become overwhelming to you, you could be suffering from stress, anxiety or a panic disorder.

8. If you find you have trouble swallowing or unusual dry mouth episodes, these may be indications of anxiety.

9. The inability to leave your home can be a symptom of a severe anxiety or panic disorder.


10. Fear of people around you and the desire to be alone are feelings that many anxiety sufferers face.


Understanding your condition can help alleviate the stress and fear these panic attacks cause and will also help you find a solution to stopping the attacks altogether. Living life in fear of another panic attack will hold you hostage and prevent you from doing the things you love.

The good news is these symptoms and conditions are no longer thought of as being something people shouldn’t reveal or talk about.

As scientists and the medical world become more informed about these disorders, more medications and other forms of relief are found to be effective in treating them. Relaxation techniques are very effective, and can even be done at home or in the workplace.

There’s help for you if you suffer from anxiety, stress or panic attacks. Many mental health clinics and hospitals offer affordable help if you’re on a lower or fixed income. Your health insurance may help you get treatment, and they cannot reveal your medical treatment to your employer.

If you would prefer to try and deal with your anxiety or panic attacks more privately, because you are not ready to see a professional yet, try these 2 online solutions. EasyCalm and PanicAway – are the best 2 I’ve found online so far!

If you suffer from some of the symptoms above, seek help from a professional. Get the treatment that can put you back on the road to peace, health and happiness. You’ll be glad you did!

No more panic attacks for you!
Don’t live with anxiety and stress – you CAN deal with it!

Tags: anxiety, panic attack, stress