Keys To Determining If You Are Having An Anxiety Attack Or A Heart Attack
One essential factor in controlling the escalation of an anxiousness assault is respiratory intentionally and slowly once you begin hyperventilating. You can scale back the depth of your panic assault by controlling the speed at which youre respiratory. This calms your physique down, and youll fear concerning the psychological facet. You can acquire management pretty simply by respiratory deeply and evenly.
TIP! Adopting an lively angle towards a panic assault will make it go away shortly. Resisting your concern may also help you management your panic assaults.
A counselor also can make it easier to develop methods to reduce the consequences of a panic assault in addition to the frequency of panic assaults. Their particular objective is that will help you. Just the information of somebody being there for you may enhance the overwhelming circumstances you face, and fairly probably scale back the variety of panic assaults you endure.
When confronted with the stifling concern of panic, attempt asking your self if there may be truly one thing to essentially be afraid of round you. Are you truly at risk? Most possible the reply to these questions is not any, so you may calm down and permit the concern to depart your physique.
TIP! Relaxation methods are a good way to do away with your stress issues. By studying how you can calm down and breath in an open method, will make it easier to take management of any panic assaults.
Panic Disorder Treatment Options
Panic attacks and panic disorders are treatable once the underlying cause is identified. Usually medical conditions and other factors are ruled out before making the diagnosis, says Flo Leighton, psychiatric nurse practitioner, and therapist with Union Square Practice in Manhattan. Getting to the root cause typically takes a couple of sessions, says Leighton. Here are some options that may be recommended to you :
What Are Panic Disorder Treatment Options
If youve been experiencing panic attacks regularly and theyre impacting your quality of life, its time to seek treatment. There are a few different options available:
- Psychotherapy
- Mindfulness-based therapy
- Interpersonal therapy
NOTE: If youre not sure which treatment option is best for you, its a good idea to speak with a mental health professional.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Phobia Of Throwing Up Called
What Can I Do About It
There are a few different things you can do that have been shown by research to help the most:
Although there are many other alternative therapies for anxiety, there is less evidence that they actually work. Some people find that herbal remedies help reduce their bodys response to anxiety. Remember that even herbal remedies can have side-effects and may interfere with other medications. Dosages can also vary depending on the brand you use. Talk about the risks and benefits of herbal or other alternative treatments with your health care providerand make sure they know all the different treatments youre trying.
Tell Yourself Youre Just Processing Information
When youre suffering from PTSD, panic attacks are so often you cant tell when youre actually having one. Youre in a constant state of fight or flight for months on end. Youre too scared to fall asleep and terrified while being awake. Eventually, when you do finally fall asleep, you wake up from nightmares that scare you awake. Sometimes they come as often as every ten minutes.
A social worker once told me that nightmares are the brains way of processing information. The best way to combat them is to say processing information every time you wake up from one. This little trick has helped desensitize nightmares over the long-term so you feel less panicked after waking up from one.
Don’t Miss: Anxiety Causes Fainting
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
Asking questions and providing information to your doctor or health care provider can improve your care. Talking with your doctor builds trust and leads to better results, quality, safety, and satisfaction. Visit the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website for tips at .
Signs And Symptoms Of Panic Disorder
While many people experience just one or two panic attacks without further episodes or complicationsand theres little reason to worry if thats yousome people go on to develop panic disorder. Panic disorder is characterized by repeated panic attacks, combined with major changes in behavior or persistent anxiety over having further attacks.
You may be suffering from panic disorder if you:
- Experience frequent, unexpected panic attacks that arent tied to a specific situation
- Worry a lot about having another panic attack
- Are behaving differently because of the panic attacks, such as avoiding places where youve previously panicked
While a single panic attack may only last a few minutes, the effects of the experience can leave a lasting imprint. If you have panic disorder, the recurrent panic attacks take an emotional toll. The memory of the intense fear and terror that you felt during the attacks can negatively impact your self-confidence and cause serious disruption to your everyday life. Eventually, this leads to the following panic disorder symptoms:
Anticipatory anxiety Instead of feeling relaxed and like your normal self in between panic attacks, you feel anxious and tense. This anxiety stems from a fear of having future panic attacks. This fear of fear is present most of the time, and can be extremely disabling.
Read Also: Topographic Depression
What Increases Your Risk
Your risk for panic attacks and panic disorder may be higher if you:
- Have a family history of panic disorder. You are also at increased risk if you have a parent with either depression or bipolar disorder.
- Have other conditions associated with panic disorder or panic attacks, such as depression.
- Drink alcohol, use illegal drugs, chain-smoke cigarettes, or drink large amounts of coffee or other caffeinated beverages.
- Take medicines known to trigger panic attacks, such as those used to treat asthma or heart problems.
- Have had previous, unexpected panic attacks.
Key Points About Panic Disorder
- Panic disorder is an overreaction of fear and anxiety to daily life stressors.
- The reaction causes a hyperphysical response, followed by intense worry that another attack will happen soon. This can upset the ability to function normally.
- It is a common disorder and can often lead to depression.
- Panic disorders can be disabling because you become so afraid of when the next panic attack may happen that you can’t cope with regular tasks.
- Treatment involves use of anti-anxiety medicines and antidepressants along with cognitive behavioral therapy.
Recommended Reading: Pristiq Depression
Regain Control With Meditation
Meditation is another common intervention that can be helpful not only as a preventative measure to reduce anxiety on an ongoing basis, but also as a tool to re-establish your relationship with your thoughts, which becomes important during an attack.
It can help clients become an observing witness to the fluctuations of thought, realize they are not controlled by them, and consequently reduce symptoms, says Meredith Strauss, a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker who specializes in treating anxiety and depression. By focusing on the breath, or the mantra, clients are distracted from disturbing thoughts dictated by the mind. They also learn to become non-judgmental of negative and distracting thoughts as they become a witness to their own thinking.
She also notes there are meditation apps available that help calm an anxious and overactive mind. Also, writing thoughts in a journal can also help the client vent and understand the origin of their feelings.
Focus On Your Symptoms Not The Thoughts Behind Them
Take slow deep breaths, shake out your hands if theyre trembling, and turn on the AC if you feel hot or sweaty or the heater if you have a chill.
Remind yourself that the physical symptoms arent serious and that theyll go away in a few minutes. Try not to think about your fear. It can help to give yourself something to focus on, such as a building in the distance or a sign to look for.
Don’t Miss: Does Pristiq Treat Anxiety
What Is Panic Disorder
If you’re having lots of panic attacks at unpredictable times and there doesn’t seem to be a particular trigger or cause, you might be given a diagnosis of panic disorder. It’s common to experience panic disorder and certain types of phobia together. People who experience panic disorder may have some periods with few or no panic attacks, but have lots at other times.
Panic disorder and high sensitivity
Some research suggests that people who have panic disorder might be very sensitive to sensory experiences , but there’s not enough evidence yet to say for sure.
Also it’s not clear whether having a high level of sensitivity to these sorts of things is something that might cause you to develop panic disorder, or whether it may be an effect of having it.
“Never knowing when I was going to have a panic attack was the worst feeling in the world.”
Calming Step : Focus On Breathing
Your breath affects your mental state, so breathing is a crucial part of stopping a panic attack.
During a panic attack, your breathing speeds up, a signal that your body is in fight-or-flight mode, Dr. Josell says. Rapid breathing sends a clear signal that youre in danger, but slow, deep breathing helps to turn off the fight-or-flight response.
Read Also: Can High Blood Sugar Cause Anxiety Attacks
Complications Of Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is treatable and you can make a full recovery. But it’s best to get medical help as soon as you can.
If you do not get medical help, panic disorder can escalate and become very difficult to cope with.
You’re more at risk of developing other mental health conditions, such as agoraphobia or other phobias, or an alcohol or drug problem.
Having panic disorder may affect your ability to drive. The law requires you to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency about a medical condition that could impact your driving ability.
Visit GOV.UK for further information about driving with a disability or health condition.
What Happens In Your Brain
Scientists are still studying how panic attacks affect the brain. Itâs possible that the parts of the brain that are tied to fear become more active during an episode. One recent study found that people with panic disorder had lots of activity in a part of their brains tied to the âfight or flightâ response.
Other studies have found possible links between panic disorder and the chemicals in your brain. The condition may also be linked to an imbalance in serotonin levels, which can affect your moods.
Read Also: Is Phobia A Disease
What Causes Panic Disorder
There is no one answer to this question either, as a panic disorder can be caused by a variety of things. Some people might have a chemical imbalance in their brain that causes them to experience more anxiety and fear than others.
Others might develop the panic disorder after experiencing a traumatic event or during a time of high stress. Panic disorder can also run in families, so it might be genetic.
Treatment Of Panic Attacks And Panic Disorder
-
Antidepressants and/or antianxiety drugs
-
Psychotherapy, including exposure therapy
Without formal treatment, some people recover, particularly if they continue to confront situations in which attacks have occurred. For others, symptoms wax and wane for years.
However, if people have had frequent attacks and have changed their behavior to avoid future attacks, treatment with drugs and/or psychotherapy is usually necessary. People with panic disorder are more receptive to treatment if they understand that the disorder involves both physical and psychologic processes and that treatment can usually control the symptoms.
Read Also: Scale Of Prodromal Symptoms
Strategy #: Slowly Inch Into Panic Situations
One client of mine had a panic attack in a spin class and not only didnt go back, but also stopped exercising entirely. She wouldnt even take the stairs. She was worried that getting her heart rate up would induce another panic attack, something she never, ever wanted to experience again.
So, to fight her panic, in addition to challenging the thought that her heart couldnt handle exertion, she also started slowly inching back into exercise and getting her heart rate up a little at a time. First, she jogged a few steps, then a block, then around the block, and slowly, she got herself back to the gym.
If its a place you fear, like being worried youll have a panic attack in the middle of the grocery store, start by going in to buy one item close to the checkout lane. Next time, grab a basket and browse, deliberately taking a little longer. When thats boring, grab a cart and do a weeks worth of shopping. Dont try to rush through it and get out. Take your time. Dont move on to the next level until the current one is easy. Remember: Your brain has to get bored.
Also Check: How To Train A Dog For Ptsd Support
Getting Panic Anxiety Attacks Learn How To Get Rid Of Panic Attacks Fast
Any person who has experienced a full-scale panic attack and/or lives with panic disorder wants to know how to get rid of panic attacks fast. The question is, how does one stop panic attacks quickly, permanently, and safely?
Panic or anxiety attacks can be incredibly frightening and intense, not to mention confusing. The worst part is that they often become more frequent, leading to mental disorders. Left untreated, panic attacks can take control of your life.
Most panic sufferers have treatment options. However, conventional treatments arent always effective, and the fastest-acting treatments for panic attack anxiety usually come with health hazards and unpleasant side effects. Moreover, they do not go to the root cause of the problem. This is why Dan Alexander created the 60 Second Panic Solution, which has been used with great success.
Recommended Reading: Whats The Fear Of Throwing Up
What Is The 60 Second Panic Solution
60 Second Panic Solution is a digital panic anxiety treatment course that is available online. It was designed to treat panic attacks and anxiety using natural methods. By addressing the underlying cause behind panic attacks, the program teaches how to get rid of panic attacks fast and makes it possible to cure panic attacks in just 21 days.
Certain regions of the human brain, namely the amygdala and parts of the midbrain, are responsible for generating panic in the body for survival. These areas of the brain are always active and sometimes become overactive. This can occur at random or in response to certain stimuli, such as when in particular environments or experiencing physical symptoms.
The key to stopping panic attacks and anxiety lies in being able to deactivate these parts of the brain at the first signs of hyperactivity, before escalation can occur and you experience a full-blown panic anxiety attack. The 60 Second Panic Solution shows you how to do this. It teaches you how to trick your brain into snapping out of panic mode and relaxing, without taking any drugs.
What Do Panic Attacks Feel Like
During a panic attack, physical symptoms can build up very quickly. These can include:
- a pounding or racing heartbeat
- feeling faint, dizzy or light-headed
- feeling very hot or very cold
- sweating, trembling or shaking
- pain in your chest or abdomen
- struggling to breathe or feeling like you’re choking
- feeling like your legs are shaky or are turning to jelly
- feeling disconnected from your mind, body or surroundings, which are types of dissociation.
During a panic attack you might feel very afraid that you’re:
- losing control
- going to die.
You May Like: What Is The Definition Of Phobia
Take Any Prescribed Medications
Depending on the severity of panic attacks, a doctor may prescribe a use-as-needed medication. These medications typically work fast.
Some contain a benzodiazepine or a beta-blocker. Propranolol is a beta-blocker that slows a racing heartbeat and decreases blood pressure.
Benzodiazepines that doctors commonly prescribe for panic attacks include Valium and Xanax.
However, these drugs can be highly addictive, so people should use them exactly as their doctor prescribes. Taken with opioids or alcohol, they can have life threatening adverse effects.
A doctor may also describe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which can help prevent panic attacks from occurring in the first place.