Anxiety Attacks, Panic Attacks, And Stress – Understanding The Impact Of These Feelings On Your Health

By Mark B

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One day, you wake up, look around and realize that your life has spun out of control.  Your life, once so normal has become like a nightmare. Your job, your personal life, your family, your peace of mind has all been disturbed and you feel powerless to make any change or improvement. The source of this disturbance is the anxiety that has invaded your life and come home to roost in a seemingly permanent manner.  Everyone experiences panic; we would simply be robots if we didn’t. While these feelings of distress may be normal in small, isolated doses, they should not be a pervasive, all consuming fire that threatens your sanity with every step and action.

For anxiety sufferers, the feelings of distress are constant companions that cannot be shaken, that cannot be reasoned with and cannot be easily tamed. The resulting stress from having to contend with such an overwhelming dread leaves many sufferers exhausted and miserable. Sustained angst can have physical manifestations that can severely affect your health.  Some of these affects include:

• A rapid heartbeat• Difficulty breathing• Dizziness• Loss of sensation or tingling in your hands and feet.  • Disorientation• Sweating

These are only some of the effects that could sweep over you as you struggle with a panic attack or excessive apprehension. After experiencing such scary symptoms many people seek to avoid duplicating this occurrence, whatever the cost. They examine the triggers that could have brought these overwhelming feelings about.  They associate the experience with whatever they were doing or wherever they were located when the panic attack struck. After identifying what they believe to be the cause of their distress they avoid any situation where the causes of their anxious episode might be duplicated.

Avoiding the fear becomes a priority and pretty soon your life gets out of whack and relationships, job performance and your physical and mental health suffer. If you are afraid to be around a crowd of people you may neglect going to the gym, seeing movies, eating out with friends or engaging in any kind of social activity. Interacting with coworkers may become problematic and job opportunities may pass you by. 

As your life contracts, your mental state spirals downwards. Cut off from friends, activities and mental stimulation, your mind becomes overwhelmed with anxiety and fear and sleep can be disrupted. 

The lack of sleep, the stress involved with avoiding panic inducing interactions and the fear make you a shadow of your former self. Understanding the power of the mind and its ability to consume your thoughts with unrealistic or exaggerated worries is the first step in changing your situation. 

Your mental and physical health are important and should be protected and cared for.  Relieving your mind of worry will help relieve your body of the manifestations of that worry. By eliminating the physical symptoms that can produce such dread, you will in turn help your mental outlook.

No one wants to contend with a rapidly beating heart or shortness of breath or disorientation. These feelings are scary and while it’s a natural instinct to avoid them, we need to find ways to resolve them without damaging our lives.

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Panic Attack And Depression Signs And Symptoms To Watch For

By Mark B

Here is another article on panic attacks self help that you may find useful

Panic attacks and depression can occur simultaneously and even go hand-in-hand. This makes it really difficult for the individual to lead the life normally and undertake tasks required for daily routine.This is a serious condition wherein the patient has to undergo a lot of trauma and emotional problems. In fact, the person suffering from this disease is constantly under a threat of the panic situation attacking him at any point of his life. He is under a constant fear when dealing with public, at home, attending a baby, studying in a class, conducting a meeting or doing anything that holds utter importance in his life. This is a great problem for the patient. The emotional turmoil becomes so intense that it takes shape of depression.Most people live with this condition without even knowing about what is happening to them while some are too embarrassed to talk about it or even admit it. People who are serious about dealing with this condition must work towards it seriously. There is a lot to do on the part of the patient in this regard.If one has the will power and the strength to overcome the anxiety and panic attacks, it is easy to cope up with this condition. The good news is that yes, one can combat this disease.He must start understanding his problem and then learning about its causes, symptoms, possible treatments, steps to cope up with it and the best medical practitioner who deals with this condition around his area.The most important part remains detection of this disease. If a person is unable to make out that he has developed this condition, one cannot cope up with it. Hence, it is very necessary to find out whether he is actually suffering from this disease. There are several symptoms that suggest the traces of this disease present in an individual. One can recognize these symptoms via learning about them.If you are not aware of the symptoms that suggest the development of this condition, here are some of the potential symptoms that suggest the same.- Symptoms:a) Feeling depressed; Depression; Disillusioned state of mind; Constant despairb) Frequent feelings of weakness: Lack of energyc) Dizziness; Numbness; Sensitivityd) Trembling; Shaking visibly; Tingling feeling in handse) Thoughts of committing suicide; Self-abusef) Change in shape of eye lenses; Blurred visiong) Staying away from driving, socialization etc.h) Craziness; Depersonalization; Fear of losing controli) Skin losing color; Blushing; Skin blotchesj) Urge to urinate frequently; Frequent urge to defecatek) Rapid heart beat; Heart palpitations; Chest painl) Bloating; Nausea; Indigestion; Discomfort; Stomach achem) Feeling light headed; Choking sensations; Shortness of breathn) Unfounded fear towards random events or objectso) Increased body temperature; Excessive perspirationp) Tightness in chest or neck area.Taking professional help is the best way to treat this disorder once you make out the existence via judging the symptoms. You may also consider going for herbal treatment options widely available these days.The key is to provide the best possible medical and professional assistance to this condition. Meditation, exercises, faith in god and diet can also help a lot.

For full information on Panic attacks self help click here

Panic Attack And Depression – Signs And Symptoms To Watch For

By Mark B

Here is another article on panic attacks self help that you may find useful

Panic attacks and depression can occur simultaneously and even go hand-in-hand. This makes it really difficult for the individual to lead the life normally and undertake tasks required for daily routine.This is a serious condition wherein the patient has to undergo a lot of trauma and emotional problems. In fact, the person suffering from this disease is constantly under a threat of the panic situation attacking him at any point of his life. He is under a constant fear when dealing with public, at home, attending a baby, studying in a class, conducting a meeting or doing anything that holds utter importance in his life. This is a great problem for the patient. The emotional turmoil becomes so intense that it takes shape of depression.Most people live with this condition without even knowing about what is happening to them while some are too embarrassed to talk about it or even admit it. People who are serious about dealing with this condition must work towards it seriously. There is a lot to do on the part of the patient in this regard.If one has the will power and the strength to overcome the anxiety and panic attacks, it is easy to cope up with this condition. The good news is that yes, one can combat this disease.He must start understanding his problem and then learning about its causes, symptoms, possible treatments, steps to cope up with it and the best medical practitioner who deals with this condition around his area.The most important part remains detection of this disease. If a person is unable to make out that he has developed this condition, one cannot cope up with it. Hence, it is very necessary to find out whether he is actually suffering from this disease. There are several symptoms that suggest the traces of this disease present in an individual. One can recognize these symptoms via learning about them.If you are not aware of the symptoms that suggest the development of this condition, here are some of the potential symptoms that suggest the same.- Symptoms:a) Feeling depressed; Depression; Disillusioned state of mind; Constant despairb) Frequent feelings of weakness: Lack of energyc) Dizziness; Numbness; Sensitivityd) Trembling; Shaking visibly; Tingling feeling in handse) Thoughts of committing suicide; Self-abusef) Change in shape of eye lenses; Blurred visiong) Staying away from driving, socialization etc.h) Craziness; Depersonalization; Fear of losing controli) Skin losing color; Blushing; Skin blotchesj) Urge to urinate frequently; Frequent urge to defecatek) Rapid heart beat; Heart palpitations; Chest painl) Bloating; Nausea; Indigestion; Discomfort; Stomach achem) Feeling light headed; Choking sensations; Shortness of breathn) Unfounded fear towards random events or objectso) Increased body temperature; Excessive perspirationp) Tightness in chest or neck area.Taking professional help is the best way to treat this disorder once you make out the existence via judging the symptoms. You may also consider going for herbal treatment options widely available these days.The key is to provide the best possible medical and professional assistance to this condition. Meditation, exercises, faith in god and diet can also help a lot.

For full information on Panic attacks self help click here

How Female Hormonal Changes Can Contribute to Anxiety and Panic Attacks

By Mark B

Here is another article on panic attacks self help that you may find useful

Some women are more sensitive to hormonal fluctuations than others. For many women, anxiety issues appear for the first time during periods of hormonal change. For other women, hormonal changes intensify previously existing anxiety symptoms. 

Anxiety is one of the most common symptoms of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS), post-childbirth, and perimenopause (the period of time before the onset of menopause). It may take the form of panic attacks, nervousness, sweating, intense fear, anxiety combined with depression, or other overwhelming symptoms. 

Here are several periods of hormonal change that can intensify or trigger anxiety in women. 

Puberty — Developing girls experience hormonal changes as they prepare to begin their reproductive years. 

Monthly menstrual cycle — Often girls and women experience PMS the week before their period. 

Following childbirth — The severe drop in certain hormones following childbirth can cause dramatic physical symptoms and a temporary feeling of depression or anxiety; in some women, it is prolonged.

Perimenopause — Perimenopause is the period of time when the body is approaching menopause. It may last from two to ten years. During this time the menstrual cycle becomes irregular as the hormone levels keep fluctuating, causing some women to experience PMS-like symptoms.

Although many of us may use the term “going through menopause” to describe this period of time, it is actually called perimenopause. Many women experience panic attacks for the first time during perimenopause. Other symptoms such as insomnia, hot flashes, rapid heartbeat, and sweating are also common. 

With surgical menopause (hysterectomy), you’ll likely experience perimenopausal symptoms after the surgery, even if you did not experience symptoms prior to surgery. Symptoms can be prolonged and are due to the dramatic and sudden decrease of certain hormones as a result of the hysterectomy.  

In non-surgical circumstances, menopause occurs after a woman has no periods for twelve consecutive months. It lasts only one day. Many women report feeling better than ever mentally and physically after menopause, due to the fact that hormone levels stabilize.

Hormonal Change Triggers the Fight Or Flight Response

Due to the fact that hormonal change causes physical and psychological stress, it triggers our “fight or flight” response. The fight or flight response is the body’s inborn, self-protective response to perceived danger. 

When we perceive that we are under stress, our bodies send out a rush of cortisol, adrenaline, and other brain chemicals to prepare us to “fight” or “flee” the danger. 

The fight or flight response triggers the physiological changes that we associate with anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, sweating, muscle tension, narrowed mental focus, heightened emotion, and many other symptoms. 

These are the same physical sensations that many women experience when their hormone levels fluctuate. In other words, most of the symptoms women experience during times of hormonal change are really fight or flight reactions. While these physical sensations are not dangerous, they can be very intense and overwhelming.

Our fight or flight response mechanism can become “hypersensitive” with the various hormonal changes in our bodies that take place from puberty to menopause. Many of us are in a constant state of stress due to our lifestyle and thought patterns, which also causes hypersensitivity.

In other words, our bodies may be stuck in the “on” switch of fight or flight. What normally wouldn’t trigger symptoms, now initiates symptoms and perpetuates an ongoing cycle. 

Fight or flight reactions in and of themselves are harmless. However, when our thoughts convince our rational minds that these symptoms are scary and dangerous, we create an anxiety cycle.

Anxiety consists of more than fight or flight reactions acting by themselves. Unproductive thoughts play a critical role in creating and perpetuating the anxiety we experience.

 

Our thoughts convert fight or flight reactions into anxiety, and a self-perpetuating cycle begins. Soon we find ourselves limiting our behaviors because of anxiety as well, which further entrenches the vicious cycle.

When a person is under stress, unresolved emotions and issues commonly come to the forefront. Because hormonal change is a major stressor, it can bring up internal conflicts and self-doubt in many areas of our lives. All of a sudden, we may find that the negative self-talk that we successfully pushed to the background of our lives during less stressful times is now playing center stage. 

During periods of hormonal change, we may also feel uncertain about our changing roles (e.g. maturing from girl to woman, becoming a mother, becoming a mature woman past childbearing years), which can add to our internal conflict. 

When we fail to successfully resolve internal conflicts and the unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to them, we create a breeding ground for anxiety. Combined with fight or flight symptoms, it’s no wonder that these unproductive thoughts create and perpetuate the anxiety cycle! 

What can you do if hormone-related anxiety affects you?

Here’s some great news! The same tools that you can use to overcome anxiety due to other reasons can help you to conquer anxiety related to hormonal changes too.

Research shows that cognitive-behavioral techniques that help you change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, and nutritional strategies (all found in our Conquer Anxiety Success Program) can help women dealing with hormonal changes.

These types of strategies not only help women regain a sense of control over their lives, but actually achieve improved physical and emotional well being! Here are a few tips to get you started:

– Focus on reducing preventable stress in your life that triggers the fight or flight response — stop the yo-yo dieting; increase sleep to eight or nine hours a night; exercise regularly; don’t skip meals; cut back on your frantic schedule; and decrease stimulants, such as caffeine. 

The body isn’t designed for constant stress. When we are bombarded with stress, our ability to cope can become overwhelmed because the elevation in stress hormones makes the fight or flight switch remain “on.”

– Learn how to train your body to respond differently to stress so that you can automatically turn the false alarm “off” when the fight or flight response is triggered. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can help you achieve this goal.  

– Most importantly, learn how to change how you think. Our thoughts are what convert the harmless fight or flight response into a vicious cycle of anxiety. Remember, just as our thoughts hold the key to creating anxiety, they also hold the key to eliminating it!

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Panic Attack Disorder Facts

By Mark B

Here is another article on panic attacks self help that you may find useful

Here are some interesting panic attack disorder facts. A panic attack normally comes out of the blue. It’s one of the most terrifying experiences any person can go through, leaving you feeling shocked and distressed.

This is not your normal ‘stress’ or ‘anxiety’ or ‘feeling worried’ situation. It’s much more powerful than that, which most people can never

understand. They may think they’ve had it too, but it’s highly unlikely.

Generally, attacks last for several minutes. When it starts happening regularly, and if you start fearing the next one, you then have a panic or

anxiety disorder.Some Symptoms & Signs

Feeling dizzy & lightheaded

Breathing difficulty

Chest pains

Racing, pounding heart

Fear of dying

Fear of losing control

Fear of going crazy

Sweating

In the United States alone, it is thought that over 4 million people suffer from panic attacks. The numbers are probably higher. Many won’t even

know about it, as they go from doctor to doctor, only to be told they’re alright.

It’s estimated that 13% of the world has an anxiety disorder. That is a staggering statistic. That means 13 out of every 100 people have some

kind of anxiety disorder.

Most of the time, a panic attack hits a person in their late teens and early adulthood. When it starts to get worse, a sufferer starts avoiding

situations. This is known as agoraphobia, which is even more serious. You will end up with no quality of life.

One important panic attack disorder fact is that it does not ‘go away on its own’. Despite doctors telling you it’s not serious, or it’s in your head, it is here to stay. You will need proper treatment, or it can go on for years.Causes

Although highly researched, no one can confirm the causes. There is strong evidence that it’s biological. There is also strong evidence of

heredity. The only thing that can be confirmed is that it’s a genuine illness that requires help.Treatment

There are many effective methods available. These include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Alternate treatments like homeopathy

Self help such as The Linden Method

Support groups

Meditation

YogaHypnosis

Medication

Gradual exposure for agoraphobia

Flooding for agoraphobia

If you begin changing your thinking, this can lead to changing the way you react. Changing your reaction gradually forces the brain to react

differently. This makes the fear of panic attacks gradually disappear.

It takes a lot of big and little changes to get over anxiety disorders. Work on the subtle changes, things that won’t cause much anxiety and work your way up slowly.

For example, if you have panic attacks that are made worse by caffeine, slowly reduce it from your diet. Then move on to relaxation techniques such as deep breathing which requires time, effort and motivation.

After that, you could incorporate exercise into your routine. Time management is going to be a major factor. You’ll have to organize your life to fit in your therapy sessions.

It’s a slow process for most people, but you have to start somewhere. With a lot of changes and with proper guidance, you can make tremendous strides.

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