When you are hit by panick attacks your body immediately goes into a mode of alarm and survival.
It is known as the "fight or flight" mode.
This response occur automatically and is caused by what you subconsciously consider a dangerous situation.
Panic attacks can be a very scary experience, especially because they strike from a clear sky.
What causes these panic attacks? Biological causes - obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, Wilson's disease, mitral valve prolapse, pheochromocytoma and inner ear disturbances (labyrinthitis).
[2] Vitamin B deficiency from inadequate diet or caused by periodic depletion due to parasitic infection from tapeworm can be a trigger of anxiety attacks.
Phobias - People will often experience panic attacks as a direct result of exposure to a phobic object or situation.
Short-term triggering causes - Significant personal loss, including an emotional attachment to a romantic partner, life transitions, significant life change, stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine, or the drugs marijuana or psilocybin, can act as triggers.
Lack of assertiveness - A growing body of evidence supports the idea that those that suffer from panic attacks engage in a passive style of communication or interactions with others.
This communication style, while polite and respectful, is also characteristically un-assertive.
This un-assertive way of communicating seems to contribute to panic attacks while being consistently present in those that are afflicted with panic attacks.
Alcohol, medication or drug withdrawal - Various substances both prescribed and unprescribed can cause panic attacks to develop as part of their withdrawal syndrome or rebound effect.
Alcohol withdrawal and benzodiazepine withdrawal are the most well known to cause these effects as a rebound withdrawal symptom of their tranquillising properties.
Hyperventilation syndrome - Breathing from the chest may cause overbreathing, exhaling excess carbon dioxide in relation to the amount of oxygen in one's bloodstream.
Hyperventilation syndrome can cause respiratory alkalosis and hypocapnia.
This syndrome often involves prominent mouth breathing as well.
This causes a cluster of symptoms including rapid heart beat, dizziness, and lightheadedness which can trigger panic attacks.
Situationally bound panic attacks - Associating certain situations with panic attacks, due to experiencing one in that particular situation, can create a cognitive or behaviorally predisposition to having panic attacks in certain situations (situationally bound panic attacks).
It is a form of classical conditioning.
Pharmacological triggers - Certain chemical substances, mainly stimulants but also certain depressants, can either contribute pharmacologically to a constellation of provocations, and thus trigger a panic attack or even a panic disorder, or directly induce one.
This includes caffeine, amphetamine, alcohol and many more.
Some sufferers of panic attacks also report phobias of specific drugs or chemicals, that thus have a merely psychosomatic effect, thereby functioning as drug-triggers by non-pharmacological means.
Which symptoms to look for.
A discrete period of intense fear or discomfort, in which four (or more) of the following symptoms developed abruptly and reached a peak within 10 minutes: 1) palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate 2) sweating 3) trembling or shaking 4) sensations of shortness of breath or smothering 5) feeling of choking 6) chest pain or discomfort 7) nausea or abdominal distress 8) feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint 9) derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself) 10) fear of losing control or going crazy 11) fear of dying 12) paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations) 13) chills or hot flushes Possible treatment beoynd medication.
All persons experiencing persistent and frequent panic attacks should consult their physicians.
However, many experienced sufferers treat panic attacks with some the following methods and techniques: Diaphragmatic breathing or abdominal breathing - Breathing slowly through the nose using the diaphragm and abdomen.
Do not breathe through the mouth.
Focus on exhaling very slowly.
This will correct or prevent an imbalance of oxygen to carbon dioxide in the blood stream.
Taking anti-anxiety medication - to be used under the guidance and direction of a physician.
Staying in the present - rather than having "what if" thoughts that are future oriented asking yourself, "what is happening now" and "how do I wish to respond to it".
Acceptance and acknowledgement- accepting and acknowledging the panic attack.
Floating with the symptoms - allowing time to pass and floating with the symptoms rather than trying to make them better or fighting them.
Coping statements - repeated as part of an internal monologue "No one has ever died from an anxiety attack.
" "I will let my body do its thing.
This will pass.
" "I can be anxious and still deal with this situation.
" "This does not feel great, but I can deal with it".
"I am frightened of being frightened, therefore if I stop worrying about being frightened, then I have nothing to be scared of.
" Talking to a supportive person - someone who has experienced true panic attacks personally; someone who is highly trained in treating panic attacks; loved ones who can offer support and comfort.
Lying down-preventing fainting during an attack.
Hope this has been helpful and may god go with you.
Johnsile
It is known as the "fight or flight" mode.
This response occur automatically and is caused by what you subconsciously consider a dangerous situation.
Panic attacks can be a very scary experience, especially because they strike from a clear sky.
What causes these panic attacks? Biological causes - obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, Wilson's disease, mitral valve prolapse, pheochromocytoma and inner ear disturbances (labyrinthitis).
[2] Vitamin B deficiency from inadequate diet or caused by periodic depletion due to parasitic infection from tapeworm can be a trigger of anxiety attacks.
Phobias - People will often experience panic attacks as a direct result of exposure to a phobic object or situation.
Short-term triggering causes - Significant personal loss, including an emotional attachment to a romantic partner, life transitions, significant life change, stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine, or the drugs marijuana or psilocybin, can act as triggers.
Lack of assertiveness - A growing body of evidence supports the idea that those that suffer from panic attacks engage in a passive style of communication or interactions with others.
This communication style, while polite and respectful, is also characteristically un-assertive.
This un-assertive way of communicating seems to contribute to panic attacks while being consistently present in those that are afflicted with panic attacks.
Alcohol, medication or drug withdrawal - Various substances both prescribed and unprescribed can cause panic attacks to develop as part of their withdrawal syndrome or rebound effect.
Alcohol withdrawal and benzodiazepine withdrawal are the most well known to cause these effects as a rebound withdrawal symptom of their tranquillising properties.
Hyperventilation syndrome - Breathing from the chest may cause overbreathing, exhaling excess carbon dioxide in relation to the amount of oxygen in one's bloodstream.
Hyperventilation syndrome can cause respiratory alkalosis and hypocapnia.
This syndrome often involves prominent mouth breathing as well.
This causes a cluster of symptoms including rapid heart beat, dizziness, and lightheadedness which can trigger panic attacks.
Situationally bound panic attacks - Associating certain situations with panic attacks, due to experiencing one in that particular situation, can create a cognitive or behaviorally predisposition to having panic attacks in certain situations (situationally bound panic attacks).
It is a form of classical conditioning.
Pharmacological triggers - Certain chemical substances, mainly stimulants but also certain depressants, can either contribute pharmacologically to a constellation of provocations, and thus trigger a panic attack or even a panic disorder, or directly induce one.
This includes caffeine, amphetamine, alcohol and many more.
Some sufferers of panic attacks also report phobias of specific drugs or chemicals, that thus have a merely psychosomatic effect, thereby functioning as drug-triggers by non-pharmacological means.
Which symptoms to look for.
A discrete period of intense fear or discomfort, in which four (or more) of the following symptoms developed abruptly and reached a peak within 10 minutes: 1) palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate 2) sweating 3) trembling or shaking 4) sensations of shortness of breath or smothering 5) feeling of choking 6) chest pain or discomfort 7) nausea or abdominal distress 8) feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint 9) derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself) 10) fear of losing control or going crazy 11) fear of dying 12) paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations) 13) chills or hot flushes Possible treatment beoynd medication.
All persons experiencing persistent and frequent panic attacks should consult their physicians.
However, many experienced sufferers treat panic attacks with some the following methods and techniques: Diaphragmatic breathing or abdominal breathing - Breathing slowly through the nose using the diaphragm and abdomen.
Do not breathe through the mouth.
Focus on exhaling very slowly.
This will correct or prevent an imbalance of oxygen to carbon dioxide in the blood stream.
Taking anti-anxiety medication - to be used under the guidance and direction of a physician.
Staying in the present - rather than having "what if" thoughts that are future oriented asking yourself, "what is happening now" and "how do I wish to respond to it".
Acceptance and acknowledgement- accepting and acknowledging the panic attack.
Floating with the symptoms - allowing time to pass and floating with the symptoms rather than trying to make them better or fighting them.
Coping statements - repeated as part of an internal monologue "No one has ever died from an anxiety attack.
" "I will let my body do its thing.
This will pass.
" "I can be anxious and still deal with this situation.
" "This does not feel great, but I can deal with it".
"I am frightened of being frightened, therefore if I stop worrying about being frightened, then I have nothing to be scared of.
" Talking to a supportive person - someone who has experienced true panic attacks personally; someone who is highly trained in treating panic attacks; loved ones who can offer support and comfort.
Lying down-preventing fainting during an attack.
Hope this has been helpful and may god go with you.
Johnsile
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