My First Panic Attack

Why Would I Ever Need A Cure For Panic Attacks

Many people who first experience panic attacks are not aware of what the term is, nor the meaning of anxiety and panic disorder. When I actually became aware of panic disorders, it was quite inadvertent. I had one myself, in the middle of the night. 

I was an EMT back then, and was quite body-conscious, I understood heart rate and certain other factors, and I just knew I was having a heart attack. I woke my husband to say good-bye to him, and called 911. I felt that all my internal organs were shutting down, and felt as though I was falling, as in a nightmare. I found myself weeping, completely terrified, sweating profusely, and even sudden diarrhea. I just felt like I was really dying. 

My personal experience with anxiety and panic disorder was one of the most traumatic moments of my life. I continued to have them, and after a few more visits to the hospital, a kindly doctor took pity on me, and spent a moment explaining what a panic attack was. To say the least I was relieved. At least I could put a name on these experiences. Anxiety and panic attack disorder. OK. What do I do to stop panic attacks, then? 

The first thing I did was to call a psychiatrist and made an appointment to get panic attack treatment…I just knew there was something seriously wrong with me. When I went in to see her, she asked me if I had ever had any sort of traumatic situation in my life. Well, actually, yes I did. It was in my younger days, and being a 42 year-old woman, it amazed me that my mind would go back that far, and I would have this issue to face. 

My doctor explained that there were millions of people out there who experience the same thing, that I was not alone. I was so relieved to know that. I wanted at that point to find out what I needed to do to stop panic attacks, then. She began with some relaxation exercises, deep-breathing, meditation, and other exercises. Also, listening to Relaxation CDs and that began to put me on the road to recovery. (Somebody needs to find a real cure for panic attacks)

I will admit that it took me a while to understand that I could control the anxiety and panic disorder, and to be able to put them into effect. I knew that it was up to me to begin to stop panic attacks and be able to live without them altogether. I was on the way to recovery. 

My panic attack treatment was a success. I feel so much more in control, now, and I know that if I ever begin to have the symptoms, I can control and eliminate it from the instant it begins. What a relief! A cure for panic attacks is in my grasp.

-Jenny Walsh

Panic Attack Symptoms

Panic Attack Symptoms

Stop Panic Attacks By Recognizing The Symptoms Panic attacks usually don’t have warning signs and really don’t have any triggers that let you know they are about to happen. They come upon their victim suddenly and without notice or warning of the terror they are about to endure. These sudden attacks can happen anywhere and at anytime, even while one is sleeping.

Someone experiencing a panic attack may feel like they are having a heart attack and even feel like they are about to die. Yes, this horror is all to real to someone experiencing a panic attack.

The terrifying experiences felt during a panic attack are disproportional to the reality of what is going on and the attack is often unrelated to what is happening around the victim.

Many people who experience panic attacks speak of many of the following symptoms of panic attacks either severally or collectively:

Commonly Stated Panic Attack Symptoms

• “racing” heart
• feeling weak, faint, or dizzy
• Tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers
• Sense of terror, of impending doom or death
• Feeling sweaty or having chills
• Chest pains
• Breathing difficulties
• Feeling a loss of control

As terrifying as they are and as sudden as they begin, panic attacks normally subside very quickly and are generally brief, lasting less than ten minutes, although some of the symptoms may persist for a longer time. People who have had one panic attack are at greater risk for having subsequent panic attacks than those who have never experienced a panic attack.    

People who have become susceptible to panic attacks and have them repeatedly are often diagnosed with Panic Disorder. This diagnosis is a serious one. A person diagnosed with a panic disorder may become very anxious and fearful as the fear of not knowing when the attack will occur becomes increasingly hard to deal with.

Panic Disorder affects women twice as much as it does men and their symptoms as shown above usually start occuring in their early adult years. Overall, nearly 2.5 million people are afflicted with varying degrees of Panic Disorder. The onset of panic attacks is most likely to occur between the ages of 18-54 and recent studies say that panic attacks impact approximately 1.7% of the American population.

In Order To Stop Panic Attacks Understand What Causes Them
What casues panic attacks and Panic Disorders? No one knows for sure exactly. Some studies indicate major life changes such as marriage, divorce, having a baby, marital stress and death can be triggers. Some people have been found to have a panic attack triggered because of new jobs, or moving to a new home. There is also some evidence that states that panic attacks are hereditary in nature.

Panic attacks and Panic Disorder are not to be taken lightly by any means. Some who suffer from panic attacks have also suffered from depressions, alcohol or drug abuse and may have at times suicidal tendencies.

If you are suffering from panic attacks, please understand that panic attack treatment varies from natural remedies, to psychoterapy, to medication..or any combination therof.

There is hope and treatment available for those who have panic attacks. You are not alone.

Hope this helps you Stop Panic attack

Causes of Social Phobia

Social phobia is a form of anxiety disorder, where the individual suffers from an intense and irrational fear, causing a feeling of fear. People who are troubled with social phobia usually have a hard time keeping a steady job and interacting with the people around them. They also tend to be very sensitive and self conscious, and are afraid of being judged by others.

Often, the individual is aware that this fear is irrational, but is powerless to stop the emotions. It is not so much the public’s scrutiny that causes them discomfort, but their own interpretation and negative thoughts of themselves. They find it difficult to focus, and experience blushing, excessive sweating or tunnel vision.

There are many root causes of social phobia, such as a previous embarrassing experience, genetic reasons, or psychological factors. Social phobia if not treated, can degenerate into social disorders and panic attacks. Only by understanding the root cause of the social phobia can you take steps towards treating and eliminating it.

1. Previous Experiences
For individuals who have experienced traumatic moments, they may feel such intense humiliation or embarrassment.

2. Genetic or Hereditary
Social phobias may also be hereditary, and you are more likely to develop it if someone from your family suffers from it.

3. Extension of shyness
For children who are very shy, social phobia may be an extension of this as they did not have the opportunity to learn social skills and the ability to relate and communicate with others confidently.

4. Stress
This occurs when individuals experience high levels of stress in their environment, be it family, work or social life. This can be seen as the straw that broke the camel’s back, when a single event can tip the balance and cause the individual to spiral into social phobia. Often, the trigger event can be something small and insignificant.

5. Social Modeling
Children who grow up in environments where their parents or peers behavior tend to be shy and introverted may end up with social phobia due to the process of observational learning. They pick up the traits and behaviors from the individuals around them, and are influenced by their environment, thus developing social phobia.

There are many causes of social phobia, such as low self esteem and a tendency to suffer from depression, and research to determine the causes of social phobia is still ongoing. Those who suffer from this condition often develop a deep fear of experiencing the panic attacks again and this can lead to a diminished sense of self confidence.

It is important that individuals are able to recognize that they suffer from social phobias, and not simply a case of shyness. This will enable them to actively seek treatment, instead of living a life of fear, wondering when the next attack will occur.