Understanding Anxiety and Panic Attack Disorder

Anxiety is a normal human reaction to stressful situations. When experienced and expressed in a normal, healthy manner, anxiety can work in your benefit. However, too much anxiety, or anxiety that is severe and/or unexplained, can turn into a real problem. Anxiety and panic attacks go hand-in-hand, and when left untreated, can cause a myriad of distressing problems.

Symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks include excessive sweating, shaking, rapid or irregular pulse, stomach discomfort, intense fear, as well as a mixed bag of additional symptoms that can manifest in variety of ways. Some people experience tingling in their hands and feet. Others become pale. Still others have hot or cold flashes. Anxiety and panic attacks can occur without warning, with no understandable pattern. There are even nocturnal panic attacks that occur at night and disrupt the sufferer's sleep. This can cause insomnia and sleep deprivation, which can lead to a wide variety of additional problems and even more panic attacks.

There are a variety of ways anxiety and panic attack disorder can be handled. One way is via behavior modification. This is usually implemented during counseling sessions with an experienced therapist. The patient is shown how to recognize thoughts that precede or accompany anxiety and panic attacks, and replace them with thoughts that are healthier, more realistic and more likely to deflect such incidents. Other treatments for anxiety and panic attack disorder include dietary modifications, implementation of regular exercise, relaxation techniques, and sometimes medication.

While antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and panic disorder, they shouldn't be regarded as a magic solution. While many people respond well to antidepressant therapy, some experience unpleasant side effects. One factor that many people don't consider is the length of time it takes to wean off antidepressants. These medications should never be abruptly stopped, rather, the patient should gently taper down their dosage over a period of many months to prevent unpleasant side effects that may make panic problems worse.

The most important thing to remember when it comes to anxiety and panic disorder is that it's OK to ask for help. This condition is a real problem that affects people all over the world, and just because you have it that doesn't mean you're crazy or even mentally ill. It simply means that you require some care and attention, and possibly a prescription, to alleviate the distressing symptoms of the anxiety and panic attack disorder you're experiencing.

Copyright 2006 Frances Coleman - All Rights Reserved



Controlling Panic Attacks

Current News on Panic Attacks:
South KC incident sounded like urban legend, really is case of man chasing . - Kansas City Star

South KC incident sounded like urban legend, really is case of man chasing .
Kansas City Star
It's more likely the victim suffered anxiety-related symptoms like a panic attack from the stress of the event, he said.

and more »
..

POWERS: Who's malingering? - Washington Times

Washington Times

POWERS: Who's malingering?
Washington Times
As a result, it is often only after family lives are destroyed by night terrors, panic attacks, violent outbursts, emotional numbness and substance abuse .

..

Chief Sets Record Straight About Poison Paper - KCTV Kansas City

Chief Sets Record Straight About Poison Paper
KCTV Kansas City
Police speculate what she was experiencing was a panic attack. "It is highly, highly unlikely that there is a man out there handing pieces of paper to women .
Police: Man Trying to Hand Off Phone Number, Not Drugged Paperfox4kc.com

all 3 news articles »
..

widespread panic attack
alright, the title is mostly just a play on words but damn! thought I had my ducks all lined up this morning to get my tickets for widespread panic when they went on sale this morning at 10:00 am...

Panic Attacks EUR Do You Recognize Susan?s Panic Attack Story .
Susan was relaxing like she did every Saturday morning at the nail salon. She had her feet in the tub, the massage chair activated and was...

Cycling-Contador survives panic attack to extend Tour lead - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

Reuters

Cycling-Contador survives panic attack to extend Tour lead
Yahoo! Eurosport UK
"To be honest, I got some information that Andy was five seconds behind and I started to panic," Contador said. "I thought 'oh my god, oh my god it's over'. .
No Etiquette Breach for New King of TourFanHouse
Chain, and gloves, off in Tour de France showdownThe Associated Press
Tour de France 2010: Stage 19 - live!The Guardian
Cyclingnews.com -Irish Independent
all 7,457 news articles »
..

Review: CVLT's 'Producers' proves bigger sometimes better - News-Herald.com

Review: CVLT's 'Producers' proves bigger sometimes better
News-Herald.com
Leo's chronic meekness and his random panic attacks are not the hilarious extreme opposites they need to be because neither is extreme. .

and more »
..

The Only Cure For Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia, PTSD & OCD - OfficialWire (press release)

The Only Cure For Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia, PTSD & OCD
OfficialWire (press release)
Wherever or whoever you areEUR¦ you have the cure for your anxiety, panic, OCD, agoraphobia, PTSD and all the symptoms you experience at your .

..

What is an Anxiety Panic Attack Symptom? | Milinda's Question "Are .
When somebody has actually suffered from an anxiety panic attack most of the time they will no longer be focused on the anxiety attack symptom, but rather be in a state of fear as to when the next panic attack may take place. ...

ARELLANO v. COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - Leagle.com

ARELLANO v. COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Leagle.com
While being transported to the Twin Towers, appellant suffered a severe panic attack; his heart pounded rapidly, he experienced pain and tingling in his .

and more »
..

Panic Attack Treatment EUR Effective Tips That Will Help Relieve You .
Having a panic attack can be a very scary experienceEUR¦ especially if you just had your first attack not that long ago. In fact you might even be wondering whether you even had a panic attack or even need a panic attack treatment. ...

How To Stop A Panic Attack So You Can Take Back Control
If you have suffered a panic attack, you probably feel incredibly frustrated simply because you don't know what's happening and what can be done about them. So the question is; do you want to know how to stop a panic attack?..

Robert Pattinson: I freaked out during Eclipse tent scene - Now Magazine Online

Now Magazine Online

Robert Pattinson: I freaked out during Eclipse tent scene
Now Magazine Online
Robert Pattinson has revealed that he had a panic attack filming the new Twilight film Eclipse. The actor, who plays Edward Cullen, was shooting a scene in .

and more »
..

Technorati Tags: , ,