Answering Some Basic Questions About Anxiety Attacks

Those of you who have had an anxiety attack, know what it is and how it feels. You will have experienced the terror of a pounding heart and the other stomach churning symptoms that leave you worried for your life. You may have been to the doctor and been told it is “all in your head” and then you’ve worried that it truly was all in your head and that you are losing your mind. For those that haven’t suffered with an anxiety attack, it’s difficult to workout what all the fuss is about. Well let’s take a closer look.

What are the Symptoms?

There are both mental and physical symptoms of an anxiety attack. Both can be crippling. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to hours. The average anxiety attack is around half an hour.  They can be mild, or so intense that a trip to the emergency room seems in order. The physical symptoms range from: chest pains, sweating, racing pulse, shaking or hot/cold flushes. Click here for more on what causes Anxiety Attacks?

The mental symptoms are just as difficult to deal with. Sufferers report feeling like they’re going to lose their mind, they are losing control, going crazy, or going to die. While it’s unlikely the anxiety attack will cause death it can still be paralyzing.The feeling of fear, panic, and dread can leave the sufferer feeling like they’re either going to go crazy or leave them in a state of shock.

What Causes Anxiety Attacks?

Anxiety attacks can be caused by several things. Genes or family history may play a part. If you have members of your family that have experienced anxiety attacks you may have a greater likelihood of suffering with them also. However, those without this trait can also have them. The way in which one is raised can influence a propensity to have a panic attack. Studies show that those who are raised with a fearful outlook on life and their surroundings are more likely to have this disorder, as are those who have a very passive communication style. Click here to learn more about Anxiety Attack Symptoms

Other physical disoreders can also have an impact. For instance compulsive obsessive disorder, a vitamin B deficiency, post traumatic stress disorder, hypoglycemia or an unbalanced thyroid can cause panic or anxiety attacks. Anxiety attacks can also be caused by chemicals introduced into the body. These include “heavy duty” drugs, like Ritalin, anti-depressants, and all SSRI drugs, but also nicotine, alcohol, and even caffeine.

Finally, if the sufferer has a history of phobias, panic attacks of family bereavement, this is also likely to increase the risk of an anxiety attack.

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Throughout the United States, roughly one-third of Americans suffer from panic attacks, and there are many more sufferers who have yet to be diagnosed.  As a result, there has been a great deal of attention paid to this affliction, with doctors and others in the medical community devising various ways to help people overcome and ultimately relegate panic attacks to history.And so, it is important to keep in mind that certain procedures and medications that can be beneficial for one person may not always be beneficial for another.

 One of the simplest ways to stop a panic attack is to just forget about what is happening during the experience.Some of the reason a panic attack can escalate from mild to intense is because the patient becomes fixated on what is happening and, consequently, whether real or imaginary, the symptoms seem to get much worse.Putting yourself in a relaxing environment will assist in lowering an individual’s stress levels which can, in turn, help reduce any potential symptoms that may arise.There are many other easy methods for curing panic attacks exist, but a second one involves watching or doing something that is funny. 

For those who experience major panic attacks, and ones that will not be cured by more simple techniques, taking a light sedative or going to see a psychologist may be the only way ease the symptoms of a panic attack. When talking does not work, mild sedatives or antidepressants, such as benzodiazepine or Zoloft, may be helpful, although it is important that one consult a physician before taking any prescription medicine. 

Some, on the other hand, totally avoid prescription medicine, mostly due to poor experiences with them, and instead recommend more natural medicines, such as a 5-HTP, Relora, or, for women who are post-menopausal, Estro-Natural.These natural cures can be found virtually anywhere, but generally cost a bit more than prescription medicine since they may not be covered by insurance.