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[H985]How To Cope With Panic Attacks

by Gerardo Dicola, Ger

Panic attacks are absolutely horrible. They come from nowhere and may produce severe reactions in the sufferer - and there is no way of knowing when it's going to happen or where. If you suffer from panic attacks like this it is probably having a really heavy impact on your life. All you need to do to help yourself is to learn a few tips for coping with panic attacks.

They come out of the blue and terrify the sufferer. But what are panic attacks? Basically, they are strong feelings of panic or anxiety that come over a person suddenly, like an attack. You might feel like you are dying, suffocating, drowning, or something similar. You may be hyperventilating,

The panic attack may be a few minutes long, or last for hours. Panic attacks may occur occasionally, or very often. They may seem to have no specific cause, or they may be in direct response to something, called a 'trigger'. They are quite different from nervousness or a feeling of unease, which we all suffer from at various times in our lives.

There are some things you can do for yourself, and the first one is to acknowledge that you have a problem. Your problem is that you have panic attacks. Work with the problem, not against it. Yes, you have panic attacks. Yes, they are horrible. But you have a life to live, and you must do your best to do that.

It is easier if you know what panic attacks are and what causes them. In a nutshell, the natural process preparing your body for 'fight-or-flight' is activated by accident: there is no circumstantial cause. It's something like a security alarm that goes off accidentally. The problem is, it is very scary. But there is nothing to be afraid of. You are not dying. There is no danger. Your system has simply been wrongly activated - that's all.

When you understand what's happening, it's not so scary - is it? Now - what are you going to do about it? First you have to see your family doctor to make sure that you don't have any other health problems that could be causing your panic attacks. If there are, your doctor can treat you and they will stop. If there aren't, then you know there is nothing physically wrong with you. You can begin to recover.

You must know by now that you cannot run away from your panic attacks. There's nowhere to hide from them. Neither can you shield yourself from them with drugs or alcohol. Actually, they can manipulate your mind into thinking that they are worse than they already are, or that a panic attack is happening, when in fact it isn't. They make it worse!

You can help yourself by keeping yourself calm and balanced. Learn some breathing exercises and meditation or yoga. Light exercise is very beneficial - walk for half an hour each day and this will help you to sleep better. Reduce your caffeine and alcohol intakes and increase the fresh fruits and vegetables. Call your doctor and talk about what is happening to you. Let the process of eliminating your panic attacks begin!

Some who suffer from panic disorder may wonder if it's possible to ever end panic attacks once and for all. They may have suffered for so long with panic that it has become part of their everyday routine, and some have a hard time picturing their life without such attacks. But it is possible to end panic attacks once and for all, with some help and with the proper tools.

In order to actually end panic attacks it's important to first of all acknowledge what they are. Some who suffer from panic hate to admit to themselves what they are as they may assume that these attacks show some type of weakness of character or lack of willpower. They may have been raised in a household where emotional disorders are treated as a weakness or they themselves just have that opinion. But you can't end panic attacks if you refuse to acknowledge that this is what's happening to you.

Some have found that medication is very helpful to end panic attacks; mild tranquilizers or antidepressants can be used to keep emotions on an even keel. Many doctors also recommend a course of behavior therapy, either with medications or separately in order to end panic attacks. With behavior therapy, a person can learn how to talk themselves out of a difficult situation when they feel a panic attack coming on. For instance, they can be taught to remind themselves that what they're feeling is panic and that there's not really anything wrong or dangerous happening at the moment.

This can help to end panic attacks for those who have them in certain circumstances, such as during meetings or religious services. These types of circumstances or events can make a person feel trapped and claustrophobic, resulting in panic. By learning how to reassure yourself the same way a friend or colleague would reassure you that there's nothing wrong, the patient or sufferer can then take steps to end panic attacks on their own. Often both medication and this type of therapy are the most effective means of treating panic disorder.

It may seem overwhelming to someone that just wants to end panic attacks now, but with some work and effort it can be done.

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Both Gerardo Dicola & Charles T. Winnbaker are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Gerardo Dicola has sinced written about articles on various topics from Panic Attacks. Both the sufferer and the family of a panic attack sufferer can learn valuable information on. Gerardo Dicola's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.

Charles T. Winnbaker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Panic Attacks, Education and Panic Attacks. Find Read that and many more articles about Pani. Charles T. Winnbaker's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.