Prevent Panic Attacks

November 30th, 2009 Posted in Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety panic attacks often occur randomly and are extremely shocking and scary experiences. So what can be done to prevent and stop attacks? It’s important not to try and stop a panic attack by fighting it. When experiencing panic symptoms don’t let the sensations dictate your actions.

Try and notice the sensations and realize that they will eventually stop no matter how scary they are. In many cases people who experience anxiety attacks report that they believed that they were on the brink of death. Symptoms of panic can seem like one is having a cardiac arrest or stroke.

Sharp chest pains, palpitations, difficulty breathing, shaking and a surge of adrenaline in their system can create frightening sensations. As severe as Panic Attacks can be bear in mind that they can’t kill. When you have an attack try to inhale slowly and deeply and try to relax.

A panic attack can worsen when a sufferer starts hyperventilating. This is why it’s important to breathe slowly and deeply. You’ll find that you’re symptoms will dissipate more quickly. You might also want to get up and walk around and get yourself a drink.

Sometimes the aftershock of an anxiety attack can last for hours so it’s important to try and stay relaxed. Engage in something that will distract you from thinking about the panic attack. You can try lots of things; take a bath, go for a cycle, read a magazine or talk to someone for support.

Anxiety disorders can be difficult to cope with so it’s essential to seek treatment. Ignoring your problem won’t make it go away. Therapy is by far the most successful way to tackle anxiety disorders. A sufferer might find that his or her condition degenerates without the right treatment. Furthermore there is a high possibility of developing other health problems such as sleep and depressive disorders.

Life can seem almost intolerable when suffering from one disorder but a combination of depression and anxiety it’s unbearable. Depression makes a person feel frequently miserable and sad. They may feel like their world is falling apart and there is nothing to live for. Sufferers are likely to lose interest in activities that they enjoyed before.

It is much more difficult to treat anxiety depression since they both require individual treatment. Suicide rates and use of drugs and alcohol are higher people with both disorders. In most cases long term use of alcohol or drugs can exacerbate mental disorders. What’s worse is that sufferers can become dependent and unable to stop.

Another problem that arises often is sleep problems. Sleepless nights can be frequent in those with an anxiety disorder. Racing anxious thoughts and physical tension can keep a person feeling awake. Feeling tense and irritable they find it extremely difficult to fall asleep.

Tiredness from lack of sleep can make the day grueling and symptoms of anxiety more intense. Nights and even weeks of sleeplessness can occur which can be awfully difficult to deal with. Recovery from anxiety and depression can be a lot quicker when treated early. Get professional help and don’t ignore anxiety and hope it will disappear.