Thursday, August 12, 2010

An In-Depth Look at Methods for Controlling Panic Attacks

Have you or someone you love experienced panic attacks?  Maybe you're unsure?    

There are common symptoms that vary from person to person, but if you experience even 3 of the following sensations you are most likely having panic attacks.
 
Read on to learn about common anxiety
symptoms and controlling panic attacks.   




Symptoms of Panic Attacks
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea 
  • Chills/hot flashes 
  • Chest pains
  • Trouble breathing/hyperventilating 
  • Feeling of choking/tight throat
  • Pounding heart 
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Fear of losing control/going crazy/dying
Panic attacks usually last 5-10 minutes but the symptoms start about 30 minutes prior to the actual episode.


Most who feel these sensations for the very first time believe they have experienced a heart attack.  Its only when the doctor tells them they are completely fine that they realize they may have had a panic attack.


Unfortunately panic attacks do not go away if you ignore them.  You can actually develop a full blown panic disorder from ignoring the problem. 

 Click Here for a free course on how to stop panic attacks. 


 Can Panic Attacks Physically Hurt You?

 
Panic attacks will not harm you physically.  However continuous attacks can make your life disabling.  A lot of people who suffer constant attacks avoid leaving the safety of their home from fear of having an embarrassing public attack. 


What is Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder is a form of anxiety disorder that is charaterized by panic attacks.  When the attacks become frequent or even expected you have panic disorder.


A single attack or two does not mean that you have the disorder.   Most people will experience at least one panic attack in their life.


The symptoms of panic disorder are longer lasting and less intense than a single attack.   Symptoms for panic disorder can last for weeks or even months.


Symptoms of Panic Disorder:


Irritability
Excessive worrying
Restlessness
Dizziness
Easily startled or "jumpy"
Inability to concentrate
Sexual inability
Change in appetite
Sleeplessness



Panic disorder is like a long term panic attack.  Constant anxiety can lead to phobias and irrational fears if not treated. 



Check out this free video about panic attacks.

 Methods for Controlling Panic Attacks

 
There are many proven methods that work as a quick fix for contolling general anxiety. They work really well in a pinch, but most will not "cure" you of anything.  Medication and cognitive therapy are your only real options to stop having panic attacks forever.


Most other methods are meant to relax the body and therefore relax the nervous system. Since the nervous system is where we get our "fight or flight" response (fuel for panic attacks) the theory of relaxing the body makes a lot of sense.


The problem is that the root of general anxiety lies in the brain. If you suffer from General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) the relaxation methods will give you some relief but not a cure. (Read to the end for a proven cure for panic attacks).


The effectiveness of these methods vary from person to person.  I found that those who used a combination of several techniques had the best results. 


Analyze your medical and mental history to choose the treatments that are best for you.

 



Medications


"Is there medication that will cure me of panic attacks?"


Medications can help you temporarily but they will not cure you of panic attacks.  Doctors are very quick to prescribe medications for anxiety attacks because they usually don't know what else to do.


As soon as you stop taking the medicine your symptoms will come back and possibly more intense than before.


Most of the drugs used to treat panic (i.e. Klonopins, Valium, Ativan) are habit forming.  You should consult your doctor before discontinuing any medications as with drawal symptoms like suicidal thoughts and even seizures are not uncommon.


It typically takes a few weeks before you notice any change in anxiety with panic meds.  Results for how effective the medications have been at reducing panic attacks and anxiety are about 50/50.


Some, particularly those who had therapy as well, saw great improvements in their condition.  They had fewer panic attacks and the symptoms were much less intense or severe.


Others have used several medications throughout the years and experienced nothing but negative side effects. 

Are you looking for a drug free cure for panic attacks?  Click Here for a safe and natural solution  to panic attacks.

  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy



Therapy is by far the most effective method for controlling panic attacks.  More people have claimed to be panic free thanks to therapy.  This option is a bit more expensive, but you certanly can't argue with the results.


Your cognitive therapist would work with you to uncover your "triggers" or what causes your anxiety and then examine why it is that you feel this way.


The therapist can then help you to "reprogram" your brain to be more tolerant of stress and anxiety.  This is what makes therapy so successful is that it deals with the root of the problem, which is the brain.
 Usually people are on some form of medication when they begin therapy.  Some are so successful that they no longer need medications while others have made great strides, but prefer to stay on medications as a back up plan.


With or without drugs therapy is the most effective way of  curing panic attacks.

 
Learn advanced cognitive techniques to stop panic attacks by Clicking Here.

 


All Natural Methods to Control Panic Attacks


  The following methods are 100% natural and completely free.  These can be done for the most part any time and anywhere. 

 


Pick a Time to "Worry"
 

The key factor that agitates anxiety and panic disorder is excessively worrying about everything.


The number one cause for panic attacks is worrying about when and where the next attack will take place.

By fearing attacks you are actually empowering them. 


1) Choose a time every day specifically for worrying.


2) Give yourself 30 minutes a day to vent out all of the things that drive you crazy throughout the day and then let it go.


3) No more worry until tomorrow.


I'm sure your thinking this sounds crazy... I did too! That is until I tried it for myself.


I will tell you that if you are like me you will have to monitor yourself for the first week or so, but after a while you learn to deal with worries and fears at an appropriate time.



Worrying is not necessarily a bad thing. This allows us to evaluate problems in our lives and come up with an effective plan of action. When you obsessively worry to the point of missing out on parts of your own life is when it becomes a problem.



30 minutes allows plenty of time to get it all out. When you use this method faithfully you will see results.                                                                                        





Deep Breathing Exercises


The effectiveness of breathing techniques varies from person to person.


I will say that deep breathing does a great job at eventually counter-acting hyperventilation at the beginning of a mild attack, but during a severe episode this technique does little good.


If you have read this far I'm sure I don't have to tell you that during a really bad attack all the deep breathing in the world isn't going to help.


I do feel that deep breathing techniques in your spare time will help in the long run.   A lot of people have complained that the techniques didn't help them during an attack.  These techniques are much more effective at lowering general anxiety than panic.


If you continuously practice deep breathing or even meditation, say a few times every day, you will be lowering your anxiety on a daily basis. Every little bit counts when trying to avoid an attack.



Would you like to know why breathing techniques will only mask your problem?  Click Here to find out.

 


Muscle Relaxation

 
This is to relax the body and relieve tension and stiffness. This one may be more mind over matter as relates to controlling panic attacks, but its simple to do and can be done anywhere.


All you do is tense up a muscle, or flex one body part at a time. Flex hard for 5 seconds and then relax. Start at your feet and tense and relax every muscle in your body. Its believed that relieving tension in the body helps to alleviate anxiety.




Do you feel "rested" after you sleep?


Get Quality Sleep


I can't stress this one enough! I'm sure you have heard that it is important to get a good nights sleep, but are you getting a good nights sleep?


If so by all means skip right over this section, but if not you need to make a few small adjustments to make big beneficial changes in your anxiety.


Make sure that you ALWAYS go to bed at about the same time every day. This is important because your body gets on a biological schedule that will give you more rest from even less sleep if you stick to it.


Your brain needs rest as well as your body. Depriving your brain of rest by staying up all hours of the night is only going to make it perform poorly. You get a better sense of general well being when you have had enough quality rest and of course less anxiety.


Another key to "quality" sleep is having your bedroom/sleeping area as dark and quiet as you can get it. Close the shades in your bedroom, even at night.


Make sure to turn off the TV or radio before you doze off. Having noise in the background keeps your body on alert.


Be sure your room is quiet and dark (serene) and go to bed at the same time every day to get the most out of your sleep.




Exercise 30 Minutes a Day


This doesn't have to be power lifting or running a marathon, just some kind of light exercise.


A brisk walk will work if nothing else.  Just enough physicaltiy to raise your heart rate for about 30 minutes.


Exercise releases endorphins in the body. These are the natural chemicals that make us feel happy and good about ourselves. They are also great for melting away anxiety.


Put yourself on a light work out routine to keep a constant flow of endorphins in your system.  With in a week or less you will notice a difference in your anxiety.




What is The Most Effective all Natural Cure for Panic Attacks?



                                 Panic Away

                                          
The creator of Panic Away is Barry Joe McDonaugh.  Barry has perfected his system of overcoming panic attacks and general anxiety over the last 10 years to make it as effective and user friendly as possible.


Rather than prescribing medications Panic Away offers natural methods and techniques that work no matter how bad your condition. 


The "One Step Move" has proven to stop panic attacks and is not taught anywhere else.  The one step move is the secret to stopping panic attacks for good and regaining self control no matter where you are or what you are doing.


For a real solution to curing panic attacks and general anxiety visit Panic Away and be sure to check out the Free Mini Course.


Want proof that Panic Away works?  Don't take my word for it, visit Panic Away right now and check out the testimonials.   They actually have dozens of testimonials (many audios) from people who have finally learned how to live their lives panic free and couldn't be happier about it.