There is no doubt that controlling panic attacks is completely possible, but the success rate depends upon the individuals in question. Some people are able to control panic attacks more easily than other people. Several things affect the extent of the suffering, such as your self control, the severity of the attack, and the cause of it.
While no one really knows what triggers panic attacks, elements such as medication, certain foods, drug withdrawal, stress, phobias, and biological factors, among others, may be factors in the onset of the condition.
It is generally thought that panic attacks are the result of a part of the brain, called the Amygdala, which is the part of the brain that controls the memory, emotions, and reactions such as fear and anxiety. A panic attack may also result from the sudden rush of adrenaline that occurs during traumatic or even exciting situations.
The fact that it is virtually impossible to know when a panic attack will occur, or what will trigger it, makes living with the condition extraordinarily difficult. Additionally, an attack could quickly escalate in intensity and result in complete despair for the sufferer.
Drugs and therapy are not the only way to counter panic attacks. There are actually quite a few effective methods for taking control on your own. The key is to remember that you do have control.
Obviously, avoiding situations that could evoke fearful feelings would be the easiest way to control panic attacks, but since such triggers are typically difficult to predict, that becomes almost impossible.
One of the simplest solutions to control your panic attacks is to practice relaxing breathing techniques. Counting the breaths can have the added benefit of taking the mind off of the situation. Some lessons in yoga or meditation have helped many sufferers to master this technique.
Ironically, panic attacks can be made worse by the natural reaction to resist or fight their initial symptoms. Struggling against a panic attack can make you most stressed out and anxious, which makes your panic symptoms worse.
So, ironically, the attack is likely to pass more quickly if you refrain from fighting against or reacting to it, as this will only aggravate the situation. Panic is the result of an adrenaline surge, so if you want to overcome the panic attack, it is essential for you to try to let go and relax your body to allow the feeling of the attack to pass more quickly.
It can help to think about something relaxing and temporarily forget the stressful situation. Taking your mind away from the emotional turmoil you are feeling can be a fast and effective way of dealing with anxiety, panic, and similar conditions.
One simple method for distracting your mind is to gently snap a rubber band placed around your wrist or finger. You would be surprised how helpful this is in these situations. Distracting yourself by starting a conversation with someone nearby can help too, or if another person is not around, simply try gently talking to yourself to calm you down.
Finally, you should try to physically relax your body, starting by relaxing your shoulders, where most people hold their stress, and moving to the rest of your muscles. It might also help to get a massage, or try massaging problem areas yourself.
Taken together, these suggestions can be an effective aid to help you deal with feelings of anxiety and better control panic attacks. Just going along with the way this disorder affects you will be a struggle at first, but over time, you will be able to become less nervous and be able to have more control over your panic attacks.
Be Aware: Signs Of A Panic Attack
If you have ever had a sudden feeling of danger, accompanied by your heart beating out of control, a shortness of breath, shaking, sweating, and muscle cramping, chances are you were experiencing a panic attack. Many of the panic attack symptoms or signs can come without warning, mimicking heart attack symptoms, and making the panic attacks extremely scary.
Panic attacks can have multiple and varying symptoms. These signs can happen out of the blue, with no apparent reason or trigger. They can occur anywhere, at any time, and without any warning, making them a very mysterious problem. People who have experienced panic attacks before, feel very threatened, and dread having a next attack.
Panic attack signs are abrupt, with sudden onset. The symptoms usually will last only ten minutes, but it could seem like the longest ten minutes of your life. Because the signs happen without any warning, sufferers dread the next panic attack, which can make the attacks more frequent. Panic attacks can be a vicious circle if not recognized and treated properly in the first stages.
Signs of panic attacks are quite different for everyone, but they are equally as frightening for all sufferers. You may experience some or all of the signs listed below:
- Sudden Sense of Danger, Doom, or Threatening Feeling
- Shortness of Breath / Hyperventilation
- Nausea / Abdominal Cramping or Muscle Tensing
- Constriction of Throat / Difficulty Swallowing
- Sudden Fear Of Losing Control Of Bodily Functions
Many who have experienced panic attacks feel quite alone in their suffering, yet millions of people have panic attacks. There are very helpful techniques to help you to control them however. Knowing the signs of the panic attack is one of the first steps to learning to endure and eventually eliminate panic attacks from your life.
Ruling out any medical causes for these above symptoms is important, because the signs of panic attacks can resemble other very serious health problems which need to be diagnosed professionally. The keys to eliminating these signs of panic attacks comes from self-evaluation of underlying stress, eliminating other possible medical causes by getting a check-up, and learning relaxation techniques to incorporate into your daily life.
In the US alone, more than 20 million people suffer from different types of mood disorders. Panic attacks are one of them. Do you know someone who is suffering from such type of condition? Or, are you suffering from the same disorder?
This article will provide you invaluable information on how to stop panic attacks. This particular condition excuses no one. Anybody may suffer from it. It can jeopardize your career or your own life. The good news is, you can do something about it. In fact, there are various methods of dealing with and stopping panic attacks. Now, read on.
How to Stop Panic Attacks?
1. Panic Disorder Medications - One of the most common ways of treating panic attacks is the use of panic attack medications. Benzodiazepines are just some of the powerful panic attack drugs that are often prescribed for people who are suffering from such type of condition. This particular medication can slow down an individual’s limbic system which is responsible for emotional changes. Antidepressants are also used for people with panic attacks.
2. Cognitive Behavior Therapy - Also known as CBT, this type of method includes the process of using cognitive therapy in order to identify the cause of the condition and distort the individual’s thinking patterns. It involves the act of desensitizing anxiety by exposing the patient to feared situations.
3. Cure Panic Attacks using Holistic Approach - If you do not wish to opt for prescription medications and other ways, you can choose to stop panic attacks with the use of natural methods. When you start to feel like you’re gonna have panic attack, breathe and relax. Deep and complete breaths can help a lot to calm yourself. This is the very basic step in order to reverse the release of adrenaline. Another thing you should do is to avoid stress. When you are stressed out and tense, you are prone to having panic attacks.
Moreover, you should give importance to meditation and yoga. This type of activities can calm your senses and create a sensation of happiness and peace.
As what they say, “fear is a choice”. This simply means that whenever you are attacked by this particular condition, you just need to remember that if you feel more afraid, it will only create more panic. As much as possible, learn to manage and deal with your condition. As time passes by, you will surely learn to live with your condition and say goodbye to panic attacks. The moment you learn to stop panic attacks is the beginning of a happier and more productive life.
