Panic disorders and anxiety disorders are phrases generally used interchangeably, but an anxiety disorder is more of a blanket term spanning many other issues. Panic disorders are specific types of anxiety disorders with panic attacks as symptoms.
Usually panic and anxiety attacks are meant to mean the same thing as well. They have the same symptoms, but panic attacks come on faster and may seem unprovoked. There is always a reason though. Panic attacks are symptoms of a life out of balance. They also have the same treatments.
Symptoms can include racing heart, chest pain, trouble breathing, dizziness, lightheadedness, cold sweats, tingling sensations, clammy palms, and fear of impending doom. It can be mistaken for a heart attack by the person experiencing it. Panic attacks do not cause death by themselves though, no matter how much it may feel like they will.
Sufferers from panic attacks should learn all about the subject. These are violent physical symptoms, and not knowing what is happening to you means you'll be more scared. More fear means more intense panic attacks. When you know what is going on the focus becomes more on what you should be doing to stay calm and deal with the situation.
Given the terror of the experiences, certain places where the person has had them will be linked with that feeling. This usually leads to avoidance, which can breed more fear and a feeling of weakness. This complete disruption in daily routine can be crippling to your quality of life. In extreme cases that are not dealt with, agoraphobia or fear of being outside can develop.
The attacks are brought on by high levels of stress. Worries and fears will build up over time and can cause them. Considering this, all effective treatments target stress in some manner. Some pills are made that can be useful, but they only manage the symptoms, not the underlying problem.
The mind and body are fundamentally linked so that stress on one becomes stress on the other. This should give an idea of ways to deal with stress. Leading a healthier life physically can reduce panic attacks or help you to better deal with them. But the determining factor always rests in the mind.
Diet, exercise, and rest are the three points that should be looked at on the physical front. Diet can be argued on the specifics, but stay away from caffeine, alcohol, and sleeping pills if at all possible, as these can be triggers for panic attacks. There are many benefits of exercise, but for the purposes of this discussion, it reduces tension and improves your mood. Sleep repairs the body and allows the mind to work out problems. People who get less sleep always tend to be more stressed.
The name for the mental options varies, but in general you want to change your patterns of thinking. To do this, change the questions you generally ask yourself to promote better outcomes. Questions direct focus and we rarely question are own, even if flawed. Some questions contain limiting implications. By changing these to include more positive implications you will gain confidence as well as a more positive, happy outlook. By using this effectively and consistently, you can greatly reduce or eliminate your panic attacks.
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