Do you suffer from panic attacks?
A build-up of stress and anxiety
Panic attacks can be tremendously disturbing and unpleasant, and are usually caused by anxiety. This anxiety often comes from worrying about an important upcoming event or social situation, and anticipating a negative outcome. We can sometimes be extremely anxious and stressed without even realising the amount of pressure we are putting ourselves under. Panic attacks can also be a symptom of 'Post Traumatic Stress Disorder' (PTSD).It is a very lucky and unusual person indeed who can go through life without any anxiety or worry. But a build-up of excessive anxiety can lead to a full-blown panic attack, which can be a frightening and traumatic experience in itself. In some cases a panic attack can be so severe that the sufferer thinks they are having a heart attack, when the body is actually experiencing the 'fight or flight' response. This is the body's natural protective response to being under threat. Panic attacks can happen at any time, and often for no apparent reason.
The symptoms of a panic attack include:
- pounding heart
- rapid breathing
- muscle tension
- sweaty palms
- a dry mouth
Symptoms of a panic attack
These symptoms can be so distressing and uncomfortable that suffers can develop a very strong fear of the panic attacks themselves - 'a fear of the fear' - which causes even further anxiety and increases the chances of another attack.It appears that the brain creates a 'pattern-matching' response. In other words, it becomes coded through its previous memories and experiences and therefore expects the same response to the panic trigger when faced with it in the future.
Utilising modern hypnotherapy techniques and combining them with Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), this 'pattern-matching' can be halted, and a new code established, helping the mind to respond differently in the future. By programming the subconscious mind to think more positively about high-pressure situations, and by learning simple relaxation techniques, a person can quickly learn to come to terms with their feelings of anxiety and only activate the 'fight or flight' response when facing a genuine threat rather than any stressful situation.
The Spence Practice
thespencepractice, based in Brighton on the South Coast of the UK, offer a range of therapies and techniques, including hypnotherapy, coaching, and NLP, for dealing with personal problems such as stress, anxiety, phobias, and more.Whether you want to stop smoking, lose weight, or manage stress in the workplace, thespencepractice can help you.
If you suffer from panic attacks or any other anxiety-related disorders, contact thespencepractice for information on how we can help you.
Panic attack survey
We'd like to hear from you, even if you have never had a panic attack, to get an idea of just how common panic attacks really are.
Panic attack books
When Panic Attacks: The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 07/12/2009) 
Panic Attacks Workbook: A Guided Program for Beating the Panic Trick
Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 07/12/2009)
Don't Panic Third Edition: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks
Amazon Price: $14.03 (as of 07/12/2009)
Overcoming Panic Attacks
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
The Panic Attack Recovery Book: Step-by-Step Techniques to Reduce Anxiety and Change Your Life-Natural, Drug-Free, Fast Results
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
Panic Attack Websites
Links to other websites you may find useful
- Ask Boots - Panic Attack
- Advice on panic attacks from Boots, in partnership with the British Medical Journal.
- Panic Disorder Help & Support
- Help for people newly diagnosed with panic disorder and/or agoraphobia as well as people who are living with these disorders.
- Anxiety & Panic Attack Resource Site
- A comprehensive resource of information & advice for people whose lives are affected by panic attacks.
- Mental Health Support
- Help, information and support for anyone affected by anxiety or panic attacks, on Uticopa, the social network site for mental health issues.
Music and sounds to help you relax
Sleep Solutions (The Calming Collection)
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
Guided Relaxation; For the Body and Mind
Amazon Price: $15.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
Progressive Relaxation & Autogenic Training
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
Detaching the World Vol. 1 - Ambient Music for Massage/Relaxation/Meditation
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
Mozart for Relaxation
Amazon Price: $7.98 (as of 07/12/2009)
Panic Attacks on Wikipedia
Read the Wikipedia entry on panic attacks for more information on the causes and treatments of anxiety 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.
A Link Between Anxiety and Skin Disorders?
A strong connection exists between your nervous system and your skin.Feelings of anxiety have an affect on your nervous system, which can make itself known through dry, itchy, or overly sensitive skin.
Therapy can help you to master the feelings of anxiety or stress that have been known to trigger conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
If you are suffering from an uncomfortable skin condition, relieving anxiety may help to solve your problem. Talk to someone about getting therapy for your skin condition today.
New Guestbook
lonelygirl wrote
im 16 and ive been to the doctor twice for chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid heart beat, and both times they have diagnosed me with costachondritis (inflammation of the chest wall) and all they say i can do is take advil for it.
i fear it is something else such as, anxiety disorder or panic attacks and i just dont know what to do about it...
Posted October 15, 2008
sisterra wrote...
Excellent lens. Panic attacks can take over someones life. Good information and references.
Posted July 05, 2008
mbarlow wrote...
Great information. It is fascinating how the brain can become "coded" through previous memories, causing panic attacks to recur. I just created a lens on panic attack treatments and you can find it here: Panic Attack Treatments
Posted October 12, 2007
