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In order to start preventing panic attacks, the first thing you need to know is what a panic attack really is. It's possible that you could have these and not even realize that that's what they are! The symptoms aren't clear-cut and occasionally it involves you really thinking about the times that they occur and what you're about to do. Finding a relationship between these things is often the turning point as it allows you to discover:
a) That you do have panic attacks
b) What sets them off
c) Allows you to investigate what you can do to prevent them
So what symptoms are possible? The following isn't a complete list but it does give an indication of the kind of thing you are likely to experience during a panic attack.
a) Shortness of breath
b) Chest pains
c) Shaking
d) Sweating
e) Palpitations
f) Nausea
g) Dizziness
h) Chills
i) Numbness
j) Choking feeling
k) Feelings of dread or non-reality
Well if you routinely have all or a combination of a number of the following before a specific kind of activity or event, then you could possibly suffer from panic attacks. You should check this out with your doctor who will either test to make sure that there's nothing else going on, or confirm that you are experiencing panic attacks then you're going to need to consider what you're going to do about them.
Once you're sure that this is the reason you have these symptoms you need to learn how preventing panic attacks can help you retake control of your life. Your doctor may diagnose medication but if this is the case, ask if this is really necessary. The side effects may outweigh any positive input they have on your panic attacks so medication should be a last resort unless you are one of those unfortunate people who have a serious panic attack problem.
What you really need to do is get some idea about what's causing the panic attack, not the obvious in your face cause, but the underlying cause. Once you identify this, you can begin to see ways in which you can begin to control the situation more and prepare yourself for it so that your panic attacks are reduced in both strength and number.
There are a number of non chemical based products on the market for preventing panic attacks. They will help you to get to a greater understanding about how your brain works, and how it can work against you in creating these panic attacks as well as teach you how to counteract the attacks.
By committing yourself to learning both the reasons behind the attacks, and the techniques you can use to stop or at least reduce your panic attacks, you'll find that preventing panic attacks isn't impossible. But don't expect it to be easy however, for a while it will be a work in progress. You'll need to work at your stress and anxiety issues so that your brain has less opportunity to create the panic attack symptoms for you to deal with. Prevention is far easier than the scariness of being unable to breathe or the unpleasantness of nausea.
Having identified that you have panic attacks, don't despair. You aren't necessarily destined for a lifetime of medicated emotions. There are ways of preventing panic attacks naturally - you've just got to find the one that works for you!
Anxiety induced panic attacks seem to come from out of nowhere. The attacks are defined as an immediate onset of extreme fear that escalates to a peak within a short period of time, usually just a few minutes. These attacks are usually associated with multiple symptoms such as a fear of death, nausea, feeling of danger, rapid heartbeat, chest pains, difficulty breathing, etc. Here is a list of other potential symptoms:
• Stomach upset or abdominal pain
• Tingling or numbness in the hands
• Dreamlike sensations
• A need to escape
• Fear of losing control
• Dizziness
• Hot flashes or chills
• Fear of something embarrassing
It is not unusual to get caught up into the panic cycle. First you have the trigger, which can be a thought, images, places, situations, and physical sensation this engages the perceived danger or panic attack. Once the perceived danger has engaged your body will kick in its defense mechanism, which is usually a “fight or flight” response. This in turn will trigger the physical symptoms that will make your conscious mind believe that these are signs of a pending catastrophe. Sometimes just the fear of another panic attack can actually trigger another attack.
Anxiety can come from so many different areas of your life. It could be stress from work or a situation with family member. Even if your job is not considered stressful it can cause anxiety. Sitting at a computer all day making entries is not stressful, but the lack of movement and the ergonomics of your work area can cause a build up of anxiety.
A past tragic event can re-surface imbedded thoughts or feelings and become an unknown trigger. Perhaps a phone rang one day and the information that you received was something terrible that changed your life forever. Now every time the phone rings that event re-surfaces and over time anxiety builds up and then the next phone ring you hear triggers an event.
The trigger is the cause of your attacks. The key is to find out what your trigger or triggers are and learn how to manage or eliminate them all together. Anxiety specialists such as psychologist or psychiatrist are trained to help you determine your triggers. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common psychotherapeutic method used to determine your triggers. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a merger of behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. Fortunately CBT works for almost every situation even eating disorders, mood disorders, drug abuse and psychotic behavior.
There are some studies that show anxiety and panic attacks are genetically predisposed. However, no one is totally immune from a potential attack. If you are experiencing anxiety and it is beginning or has escalated to a panic attack you should seek out a specialist immediately. Most general practitioners are not well trained in handling these issues other than treating the symptoms. You need to go beyond the symptoms and treat the root cause. Take charge of your life and make that call today, don't wait.