Panic Attacks

 

PANIC DISORDERS


Technically, what we refer to as anxiety generally involves a mixture of such feelings as fear, apprehension, uncertainty, etc. Intense anxiety can cause physical problems in a person as well. For example, you could get chills, tremble, feel nauseous, out of breath or even suffer from a pain in your chest, all by dint of being overly anxious! Anxiety hits almost everyone at times of crises in their lives, but when it becomes a persistent, chronic recurrence, then it means that the person is a victim of anxiety disorder.

There can be several causes leading to a person feeling anxious about something. It can be triggered off by the memory of a frightening or terrible event that had occurred in one's past, or it could due to the apprehension of something bad occurring in one's future. Uncomfortable situations, stage fright etc., can also lead to acute anxiety in people. Being the centre of attention is a source of great concern for many. In fact, researches suggest, that more people worry about public speaking than even their own deaths!

Anxiety disorders are classified as a persistent, recurring kind of anxiety. These happen due to genetic reasons, or can even be the result of past trauma. Anxiety attacks can also occur as an effect of paranoia, phobia or fear syndromes.


Anxiety disorders are of several kinds:

GAD- Generalized Anxiety Disorder

PAD-  Panic Attack Disorder

SAD- Social Anxiety Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Those suffering from anxiety related problems often commit the serious mistake of leaving them untreated. You can't just let them be and expect them to heal of their own accord. In some cases, the ailment may be quite serious, and if unchecked it could go on to lead to other health complications or unpleasant side effects.

There are three main techniques to combat anxiety disorders. These are:

Medical- Medicines are one of the most common methods used to tackle anxiety problems. The drugs used in these cases like, Valium, Klonopin or Xanax, however, come alongwith the danger that they may prove addictive for the patient leading to abuse. If medication is the option you choose, always keep this in mind and so be careful.

Psychotherapy- This might prove to be a better alternative to possibly addictive medication, but it comes along with its own danger of the patient growing overly and unnecessarily dependant on the attention given to him/her during the psychotherapy sessions. This might be difficult to grow out of as well.

Herbal Supplements and Relaxation- These methods have given satisfaction to a number of people suffering from anxiety disorders. They involve the use of herbal supplements and mental exercises in order to relax the brain and keep it free of stress and therefore anxiety.


It can be blamed on our hectic lifestyles today that so many people regularly have to face anxiety related ailments, but seeking help from medical professionals, as well as recognizing and learning to combat its effects naturally may just be the solution needed to help such victims recover their sense of balance and purpose and go back to leading healthy everyday lives.