Overcoming Panic Attacks

“Scared Woman” Image License: XS courtesy Klaus-Peter Adler

Panic Attacks or anxiety attacks are sudden periods of intense anxiety and fear.

Overcoming panic attacks feels like quite a challenge for many, as its symptoms are terrifying to say the least.

Much like stress and anger, panic attacks are caused by hormones released into our system, in preparation to fight or flee from a perceived threat.

OVERCOMING PANIC ATTACKS

Before looking into the various ideas for overcoming panic and anxiety attacks, it might help to quickly look at the common symptoms that can help figure out if what you may have experienced is indeed a panic attack or not:

SYMPTOMS OF PANIC ATTACK

Panic attacks generally owe their origin some form of stress or fear. Below are the common symptoms experienced by those who suffer from panic attacks:

  • Trembling,
  • shortness of breath or breathlessness,
  • increased heart rate,
  • chest pain (or chest tightening),
  • chills,
  • head ache,
  • hot flashes,
  • burning sensations in the facial or neck area,
  • sweating,
  • nausea,
  • dizziness or lightheadedness, and
  • sensation of choking are usually reported as panic attack symptoms.

Some may experience only few of these, while others may experience more. Because of the similarity in the symptoms, many who experience a panic attack for the first time may mistake it for a heart attack.

HOW LONG DO THESE SYMPTOMS LAST?

Panic attack symptoms typically last up to 30 minutes, while some attacks last for several hours or as little as few seconds.

A significant aspect of panic attacks is the feeling that accompanies these symptoms – a feeling of an impending doom, and possibly an urge to escape or flee the place where the attack began.

AGORAPHOBIA

Another aspect related to symptoms of panic attack is the fear of open places that some of us may develop because of such attacks.

It is actually the fear of having a panic attack in open places that manifests itself as fear of open places itself – also called agoraphobia.

We may be afraid of having a panic attack in a situation we perceive as difficult or embarrassing to escape, and start to avoid such situations or places altogether.

HOW TO OVERCOME PANIC ATTACKS

Panic and anxiety attacks being such a widespread malady as they are today, it is no surprise there are plenty of solutions out there in the market as well.

How do you know which one works for you, and which one doesn’t?

The only way to find out.. is to try them.

HERE IS WHY..

Every person is different, and while the feelings of anxiety and panic that each of us experience may be similar, the anxiety triggers are different for each of us, and so is the coping mechanism different for each individual.

Which is why, what works for one person may not work for another. And the only way to find out what works for you, is to try the different tips, and use different solutions, until you hit the right one for you.

If you experience panic attack symptoms frequently, and are already on medications or are averse to starting on them, it’s a good idea to consider other natural alternatives for your long-term relief.

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