Finding Relief from the Anxiety Attack
November 12, 2010 by Lyle Holmes · Leave a Comment
An anxiety attack, also referred to as a panic attack, is an episode of intense panic and/or fear. Unfortunately, it often occurs suddenly with little or no warning. In some cases, there’s an obvious trigger for the attack–getting stuck in an elevator, for example, or thinking about your big race–but in other cases, the attacks seem to come out of the blue.
An anxiety attack usually hits its worst point within ten minutes, and it rarely lasts more than a half hour. To someone who has never suffered through one, this may not seem very long. But it’s an eternity to the person that’s experiencing it. The terror can be so severe that you feel like they’re about to die or completely lose control. The physical symptoms of a panic attack are themselves so intense that they are often confused with having a heart attack. Common symptoms include: a rush of overwhelming panic, feeling of losing control or going crazy, heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, difficulty breathing, choking feeling, hyperventillation, hot flashes, chills, trembling, nausea, stomach ache, and feeling like you’re not really real but looking in on yourself.
If you suffer repeated, unexpected anxiety attacks, and you are also afraid of having an attack again in public, you may suffer from panic disorder. Panic disorder may also be accompanied by agoraphobia, the fear of being somewhere that you can’t get help or a place that would be difficult to leave if you did have an attack.
The exact causes of panic attacks are not yet certain. However, we do know that the tendency to have panic attacks runs in families and there seems to be a correlation with major transitions such as graduating from college, starting the first job, getting married, and having a baby. Severe emotional stress, like losing a loved one or job can also trigger a panic attack.
Panic attacks could also be caused by medical conditions such as mitral valve prolapse (which happens when one of the heart’s valves doesn’t close properly), hyperthyroidism or hypoglycemia, or by stimulant use or withdrawel from medication.
Luckily, anxiety attacks are treatable with cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medication.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the thinking patterns and behaviors that are sustaining or setting off your panic attacks. It helps you look at your fears in a more realistic light and feel that you are gaining control of the situation.
Exposure therapy exposes you to the physical panic feelings while you are monitored in a safe and controlled environment. The point of this type of therapy is to give you the chance to learn ways of coping with your anxiety. You will be asked to do things that bring on your attacks, such as holding your breath or hyperventilating. As you repeat these actions, your fear lessons and you feel a greater sense of control over your panic.
This information does not substitute medical advice given by a health professional.
Anxiety Depression and Panic Attacks- Rise Above It
November 8, 2010 by Lyle Holmes · Leave a Comment
In some cases of anxiety and depression a patient clings to hope by taking anti-depressant drugs in hope that it is the answer to their prayers in relieving them of their symptoms. It has been proven that certain drugs work for some and not for others.
Anti-depressants have an enormous affect on the chemicals in the brain thus changing the mood. Drugs as such are known to help anxiety sufferers to cope with their displeasures but what you have to remember is anti-depressants are not a cure they are there to help control the condition by dealing with the discomforts i.e. symptoms.
The healing process can take a few weeks for the drug to go to work and take affect where you will see changes. It is important to follow through with any course of prescribed medicine dosage from your doctor other wise it will hamper the effects. Anxiety/depression can cause major changes in a persons life where they have no choice but to turn to medication. Not all medical prescriptions of this sort agree with people therefore unwanted side effects. Before continuing with any medication or treatment that you feel is disagreeing with your body then consult your doctor.
Pill popping is an easy way to take away the pain from backache – headache or whatever illness causes misery, but is it the answer to a cure, no it is a temporary fix for pain.
Natural medication and treatments in the form of herbal remedies are taken by many sufferers in the 21st century to help combat the stress and pressure brought on by anxiety – depression and panic attacks. Visit your local herbal store and talk with the herbalist who can advise you on many of natures natural potions. Depression can be a very disturbing mind meddler where lack of control and concentration is lost, due to how it interferes with your well being leaving you feeling low and in some cases at an all time low when in desperation a patient can end up harming themselves
A proven therapeutic method practiced the whole world over for many people with health concerns is Yoga, surprisingly not many people are aware of the benefits that yoga has to offer. It is known with out doubt to ease the mind and has the ability with certain moves to ease physical pain (depending on the condition) If you feel there are no answers behind why your anxious moments erupt and that it is time for a paracetomal, then think again, are you doing more arm than good.
Dealing with anxious moments can prove to be unsettling for many people but then you have those that grin and bear it. Anxious moments should not be ignored if they prolong or outstay their welcome as this could now be recognised as the start of anxiety or depression.
An early grave has been the answer for many a sufferer who found coping alone with anxiety caused more pain and heartache than actually dealing with it.
Are you a sufferer of the type of anxiety that leaves you feeling life is not worth living or wishing you were dead if so I urge you to rise from the grave in your thoughts and seek help. You are not alone and with the right help and medical attention you can enjoy the experiece of feeling on top of the world rather than six feet under.
Fun Ways To Relieve Stress
November 4, 2010 by Lyle Holmes · Leave a Comment
There is no doubt that fun, and engaging in fun events can be the top tonic for any situation. When you remove yourself from the area of stress such as a bad day at work into an activity such as a sport or a social event brings joy into an otherwise dull day. There are a multitude of fun ways to remove your stress.
Jokes help to release any stress related issues such as anger, depression and anxiety. Laughter is a very effective way to thwart the effects of stress. The increase of blood flow that also results adds to your general vitality. Laughter will make you feel better by shadowing the feelings that are causing stress.
Your mood is an influence here. Perhaps music will work for you. Thrash out your best tunes, have a dance with the wife or simply sing to the music. Think about the last time you heard a song that made you feel good. Music has been proven to promote health by providing inspiration and allowing you to calm down from any stressed encounters.
Cooking combined with music can really help. Combining your culinary delights in the kitchen with some background music is very enlightening. Such an activity occupies the mind as you are engaged in fun ways to relieve stress through personal activities that interest you.
Play a game; invite your friends around for a poker night, or monopoly or charades. Perhaps your circles of friends like to battle competitively on computer games. Have a playstation or an Xbox night, or interact socially online with a multiplayer game that you and your friends enjoy. Computer games are very effective here as they literally allow you to step outside yourself and role play another character.
Try a weekend break if you have not been away on holiday for a while. While the above methods work, it’s not a great idea to spend too much time in the same environment as that can promote feelings of boredom and therefore stress. Go visit your distant friends or take the family away to the beach for the weekend. Holidays allow you to get away from it all and are fun ways to relieve stress.
Some may disagree and say those games are couch potato style exploits and too passive. If you are one of a more active nature then go try some sport like squash, or go for a jog or join a club that interests you like martial arts or racquetball. As these promote excitement and therefore fun, you will feel good about yourself and return home refreshed from the experience.
Phone up your friends or use Skype and have chat about the week, past funny events, or any forthcoming social events that make you feel excited. There are many fun ways to relieve stress and each one relates to your personal interests. Look at what excites you and put that into action. If the activity allows you to have fun and enjoy life, then do it at least weekly whether you suffer from stress or not.