Though many people are well acquainted with the names of certain phobias, mostly due to motion pictures and television shows, few truly understand how deeply they can affect a person's everyday life.
Panic Attack: Many people understand this to be an attack that is caused by a stressful event or thought which forces the person to feel frightened and then display physical symptoms of that fright. This is not often the case. It is far more common for panic attacks to occur when there is no obvious cause to the afflicted person. While it seems obvious that in most cases these panic attacks are being caused by some kind of anxiety disorder a specific trigger need not be present for one of these terrifying attacks to occur.
It can be very frustrating to deal with a loved one who experiences panic attacks. Often these attacks will come about during social events, forcing anyone responsible for the afflicted person to stop taking part in the activities and attend to the needs of their loved one. Because it is generally perceived as a fear, many people become frustrated and generally believe that if the person could simply overcome their fear, this problem would no longer exist.
While there is some truth to the idea that if the core problem is eliminated or managed correctly a person may be able to avoid ever having to experience a panic attack again, there are those believe that the occurrence is genetic.
So what is a Panic Attack exactly?
• Scientific Explanation: It is commonly thought to be the body's nervous system having an erratic and unsuitable response to the surrounding perceived environment. The body's response is to releases adrenaline into the system causing an intensely felt physical experience as well as the mental trauma that has already been underway for several minutes.
• Basic Idea: Signals get crossed in your brain that convince your brain that something is really wrong, your brain tells this to your body, which now believes it and begin to show physical signs of real terror triggering the "fight or flight" response.
• Physical Signs: Irregular (often increased,) heart rate; profuse sweating; dizziness; vertigo; throat irritation or swelling; inability to communicate; trouble focusing vision; tensing of muscles; irritation of stomach; trouble breathing; head ache or sharp head pain; rushing noise in ears or difficulty hearing.
What Causes These Attacks?
Many theories have been developed over the years and certainly there appear to be common traits that those who experience these attacks share:
Long-term:
• A genetic disorder passed from family member to family member
• Phobia that is not being treated or managed well
• Psychological disorder that the person may not even be aware of
• Depression
Short-term:
• Side-effect of certain types of medication
• A recent trauma or loss in a person's life
• Stimulants such as alcohol or even caffeine
• Repressed memories being recovered
• Intensely stressful time in life
• Altered hormonal state
Though many of these theories show promising signs of being the main cause for such attacks, there is still a great deal to uncover about them. It is believed that in the years to come the conditions which may end up causing these attacks will be identified and treated before they can cause this kind of harm.
Dealing with an Attack:
Understanding first, that it is a panic attack you're experiencing, you have many options in front of you, perhaps too many. Because so many people suffer from varying levels of panic disorders it can be difficult to know which method of treatment will best serve your needs.
Therapy is an option often sought by those with panic disorders because it can be difficult to get to the root of the problem, or even to identify the true problem, alone. While this method may be of great help it may require months or even years of treatment before real progress can be made. Finding the right person to assist and instruct you with your mental progression can be extremely difficult as most people feel vulnerable and uncomfortable expressing their innermost thoughts with a stranger.
Medication is another option often used by patients who are seeking relief from panic or anxiety disorders. Unfortunately this type of treatment is often risky; many people complain of numerous side-effects of such treatment and are often displeased with the effect on their panic attacks. Most psychiatric and medical doctors agree that medication should only be used as a last resort and only for specific types of disorders.
Self Help books or videos are an up and coming way of allowing a person suffering from panic attacks to seek help without using more invasive or personal techniques. Though some may require additional methods many people have found relief from their anxiety attacks through these methods alone at a fraction of the cost or health risk.
Temporary Relief can be found during an actual panic attack in the form of a few tips that seem to work well for those who suffer from these unexpected moments of terror:
• Get control of your breathing as hyperventilation can cause you to feel sick or dizzy.
• Decide upon an image that you can picture which you find comforting and picture that image.
• Repeat a sentence, poem or song that is familiar and comforting to you.
• Move away from anything which may be causing your stress level to increase.
• Try to relax your body, heart rate and breathing by placing yourself in a comfortable position.
• Maintain focus on something positive and try not to allow your mind to rapidly jump from terrible thought to terrible thought.
• Move away from any loud noises or music as this may be escalating your anxiety.
It is important to remember that above all a panic attack is a trick, a deception that your mind is producing because there is another problem that is not being addressed or has not yet been fixed. Why the brain reacts this way and in certain situations may still not be clear, but certainly anyone who is suffering from panic attacks should remember three very important aspects of the condition:
1. Panic disorders are treatable; though you may have to try different methods to find your cure you do not have to live this way for the rest of your life.
2. Panic attacks are a trick of the mind and can be controlled or at the very least eased simply by recognizing this. When suffering from an attack it is important to understand that you can make yourself aware that the danger isn't real and in doing so relieve the anxiety.
3. Problems, phobias, traumas, anxieties and disorders cannot usually be ignored. A panic attack might be your body's way of telling you that your mind isn’t getting all of the attention it deserves. Do it and yourself a favor, try to find a solution that will heal and conquer any problems which maybe preventing you from enjoying a happy life.
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