Anxiety Attacks? What are They?
Everyone has anxious moments regardless of who you are or what you do. A little bit of anxiety is not going to hurt anyone but there are levels of anxiety that can actually make you physically ill. This is a full blown panic attack.
So, what exactly is a panic attack? A panic attack can best be described as the immediate onset of a severe amount of anxiety that occurs with very little warning. When a panic attack occurs, the symptoms are unmistakably clear. These symptoms involve rapid breathing, chest pains, dizziness, and disorientation. Yes, these symptoms sound dangerously close to a heart attack. Often, that is exactly what people suffering from a panic attack will believe they are experiencing.
Of course, the onset of such an attack can result in a great deal of fear for the individual experiencing it. (The reason why it’s called a panic attack) As a result, a person who experiences severe and frequent panic attacks can suffer a huge loss in the quality of life. This is primarily because those who are experiencing frequent panic attacks will be limited in the activities they do, due to the threat of the condition always being present.
Strangely enough, the fundamental cause of panic attacks still remains unclear to a large extent. On the other hand, research as shown that there are numerous factors which can and do contribute to a panic attack such as depression, frustration, anger, alcohol and also drugs. Even certain genetic factors can result in the onset of panic attacks.
While it may well appear to be easier said than done, it’s crucial that one takes certain steps in order to lessen the impact of a panic attack and most important of all, these steps need to be taken immediately upon the onset of an attack. Interestingly enough, deep, slow breathing has been proven to be effective and as a result, this method is widely practiced.
Of course, if anxiety and the resultant panic attacks could be controlled simply by doing a few breathing exercises, anxiety would not be considered a problem in the first place. In other words, if you suffer from anxiety, it’s crucial that you consult with a duly qualified health professional in order to receive adequate treatment.
Therapy alone may not be enough to deal with all the problems related to anxiety. As such, it may be necessary to explore options with psychotropic drugs. These drugs will be carefully prescribed by a psychiatrist after a complete evaluation. Taking medication as prescribed can greatly aid in reducing the frequency and severity of panic attacks which can significantly help with getting a proverbial handle on the problem.
No matter which way you way you try, taking matters into your own hands will help with panic attacks. This is a serious problem but it is not beyond treatment. If you know what the problem is you can find a solution. Getting help which will allow you to deal with it, and ultimately get rid of the problem forever.