In our culture, panic and anxiety attacks seem to be running rampant. Incomplete or false information that is in circulation about them only make the problem worse. Much of this information makes it difficult or impossible for some to stop their attacks. This article will clear up some common misconceptions.
Panic and anxiety attacks aren't the same thing. Although commonly grouped together or used interchangeably, there are subtle differences. Anxiety attacks seem to be set off by a single event; panic attacks seem to occur randomly. Both of them have the same causes, only set apart by degree, intensity, and frequency.
The attacks result from your associations and the shape of your mental patterns. There are studies cited about varying brain chemistry in individuals who suffer from these attacks. Some use this as an excuse not to try and stop them. But whenever you think certain thoughts your brain will produce certain chemicals, so it seems like a question of which came first the chicken or the egg. It is a smart choice to choose the one that gives you the most power.
Some people feel as if they are having heart attacks during them, most feel as if they are going to die. The attacks will not cause any damage to a reasonably healthy individual. The only exclusion to this would be if the attack caused you to be hurt by outside influences, such as cars. Many who experience panic attacks while driving find that they can get a grip and put the full force of the attack on hold until they get to the side of the road though.
You aren't as powerless against the attacks as you might think. Treating them like they can't be stopped make that closer to the truth for you though. After all, if you don't feel you can stop them, why would you bother trying in the first place?
Pills are very commonly used or recommended. The idea of being able to pop a pill and have the problem go away seems perfect. They cost quite a bit due to how long you'd have to be on them. Pills don't eliminate the problem, they only help to alleviate the symptoms.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking nothing works. This pops up from lack of effort or an excess of negative influences. You're never out of options. Just because you haven't found it yet, doesn't mean there isn't a treatment out there for you.
Many will begin to avoid stressful situations to deal with anxiety attacks. This is a mistake if you implement it as a long-term solution. The attacks are not set off by events, but rather the perceptions you have of those events. Avoiding the problem is like telling yourself that you have no power over it and you will feel weaker as a result. That feeling of weakness will cause more attacks as you are more likely to be stressed over a variety of situations.
Conversely, when you are exposed to anything repeatedly, you can begin to form new associations to that thing. There is a whole therapy centered around utilizing this fact.