Panic and Anxiety Information
How To Stop What If Thinking
My Personal Story of Panic and Anxiety Disorder
How I Overcame Panic and Anxiety in My Life
My anxiety attacks began in my early to mid twenties. They seemed to come from nowhere, although I was always a worrier personality. Mine started with heart palpitations so severe that I once called the ambulance to my home because my heart began skipping all over the place. It was so frightening to ride in the ambulance all alone because my husband was at work.
I once went on a business trip and had to go to the ER with palpitations. It ruined my trip with my husband and made me an emotional basket case.
I would have to suddenly leave public places due to panic. I started wanting to stay home all the time (after always being a people person). I would not shower because I did not have the energy to do it. I would stay in the car while my family shopped in a store just because I was afraid of having an attack.
I say all of this to express to you that I KNOW how it feels and I hope that this lens will help you know that you are NOT crazy and this condition can be solved! In my other lenses, I will talk more about the natural approach that worked for me. It may not work for everyone and we each have to find our own path, but I want to tell the world that you can conquer this!
FREE Panic and Anxiety Report
Symptoms of a Panic and Anxiety Attack
How to Tell If You Are Suffering From Panic Disorder
The first time a person has a panic attack can be terribly upsetting and very scary. You might think you are having a heart attack or dying. You might even call 911. Fortunately, panic attacks are treatable.
Here are some common symptoms of panic attacks:
* A feeling of terror or immense fear
* Fast heart rate
* Chest pain
* Hyperventilation
* Shakiness
* Heart palpitations
* Nausea
* Passing out
* Shivering
Here's my favorite link:
Causes of Panic Attacks and Anxiety
There has not been one exact cause for panic disorder established by the scientific community. Our bodies have a natural response when we encounter danger. It increases our heart rate, causes us to breathe faster, and boosts our energy. This reaction is called the Fight-or-Flight response. This reaction prepares us to run away from or handle the danger. The problem arises when our body goes into Fight-or-Flight mode yet there is no danger.
Panic attacks may due to an imbalance of brain chemicals or a family history of panic disorder. Sometimes they happen without any valid reason.
Panic attacks may also be caused by:
* Hypothyroidism
* Heart condition, such as Mitral Valve Prolapse
* Depression
* Alcohol abuse.
* Too much nicotine or too much caffeine intake.
* Certain medications such as asthma inhalers
* Illegal drugs
* Being overstressed
There is some wonderfully helpful information on panic and anxiety at Panic and Anxiety Info Center
Treatments for Panic and Anxiety Disorders
There is also Xanax, which is a popular choice for panic sufferers because of its quick acting effectiveness. In addition, some people choose to take a beta blocker medication which acts on receptors in the body to block the effect of adrenaline.
Limiting caffeine, alcohol and stress can also assist people who are experiencing symptoms of panic and anxiety, as well as regular exercise. Some believe that reducing the amount of adrenaline in the system by expelling it through exercise would greatly assist a panic/anxiety sufferer.
Panic and Anxiety Resources
Mixed Anxiety and Depression: A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach (Individual Version)
Amazon Price: $59.00 (as of 12/20/2009) 
Attacking Anxiety and Depression: Coaching Videos
Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)
Yoga and Meditation for Anxiety
Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)
The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, Fourth Edition
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 12/20/2009)
Philips GoLite P1 Blue Spectrum Light Therapy Device
Amazon Price: (as of 12/20/2009)
What Are Panic Attacks?
Panic attacks are very sudden, discrete periods of intense anxiety, mounting physiological arousal, fear, stomach problems and discomfort that are associated with a variety of somatic and cognitive symptoms. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders The onset of these episodes is typically abrupt, and may have no obvious triggers. Although these episodes may appear to be random, they are a subset of an evolutionary response commonly referred to as fight or flight that occur out of context. This response floods the body with hormones, particularly epinephrine (adrenaline), that aid it in defending against harm.Bourne, E. (2005). The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, 4th Edition: New Harbinger Press. Experiencing a panic attack is said to be one of the most intensely frightening, upsetting and uncomfortable experiences of a person's life.
According to the American Psychological Association, the symptoms of a panic attack commonly last approximately thirty minutes. However, panic attacks can be as short as 15 seconds, while sometimes panic attacks may form a cyclic series of episodes, lasting for an extended period, sometimes hours. Often those afflicted will experience significant anticipatory anxiety and limited symptom attacks in between attacks, in situations where attacks have previously occurred.
Panic attacks are commonly linked to agoraphobia and the fear of not being able to escape a bad situation. Many who experience panic attacks feel trapped and unable to free themselves.
The effects of a panic attack vary from person to person. Some, notably first-time sufferers, may call for emergency services. Many who experience a panic attack, mostly for the first time, fear they are having a heart attack or a nervous breakdown.
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by marriage-maniac
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