Anxiety Attacks, The Facts
 Anxiety attacks are more common than most people would suppose. Figures in the United States suggest that one in sixty of
the population will experience just one attack in their lives.
They are twice as likely to occur in women than in men.
The sudden onset of extreme panic without any provoking stimulus is a feature of these anxiety attacks although some may be triggered by an
existing phobia and in this instance, the attack will pass once this stimulus has been removed.
It is the severity of such attacks which differentiate them from more generalized anxiety
problems.
Feeling scared and anxious is part of our life's experience and is a natural outcome of stressful encounters. They are what motivate us into
improving or changing the situations in which we find ourselves, for example, during situations of extreme stress such as exams, violence,
illness, etc.
However, when anxiety attacks begin to escalate and interfere with everyday life they become an urgent problem in need of
help.
The physical nature of anxiety attacks
During an anxiety attack, intense feelings of fear precipitate a rush of adrenaline in the body, known as
the 'fight or flight' response. It is nature's way of preparing us for combating danger but because the sufferer is in an extreme state of panic
and not able to 'work off' the adrenaline, the resulting symptoms of anxiety create a vicious circle of fear, more adrenaline and therefore, more
panic.
The almost paralyzing sense of fear during an anxiety attack is also compounded by trembling in the limbs, palpitations, sweating, dizziness,
faintness, chest pain and shortness of breath. Some will also experience choking sensations, nausea and hyperventilation.
Help is available to sufferers of anxiety attacks in addition to the relief gained from medicinal drugs such as anti-depressants and
tranquillisers. For example, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy addresses ingrained negative thought processes, helping the sufferer
to alter their response to situations they have previously found stressful.
The various anxiety treatments
The Alexander Technique can bring relief by learning how to circumvent muscular tension, which can by itself, escalate into mental and emotional
stress.
The Linden Method's 'Nine Pillars' method combines the use of various media including CDs, video, email, etc., to process the help sufferers need
at the times they most crucially need it and this has proven extremely effective with long-term problems.
Hypnotherapy can help with panic attacks where a particular phobia is the root cause and may be combined with NLP, age regression or
self-hypnosis. Flower remedies treat the personality type and 'presenting' problems of the sufferer and have also seen beneficial
results.
For example, anxiety without a known cause responds well to Aspen and for severe anxiety disorder Cherry Plum or
Red Chestnut are often prescribed.
Phobias and Anxiety Go Hand In Hand
Unfortunately, those who suffer from phobias can also suffer anxiety attacks, although the two do not have to go
hand-in-hand. Those with generalized anxiety disorder can also suffer from acute anxiety attacks.
An anxiety attack can sometimes occur acutely, as a one-time situation, when a significant amount of stress is being experienced, such as if a
loved one or child is hurt.
Many times, people will handle the emergency situation calmly and effectively, and then experience a severe anxiety attack afterward. Symptoms
can include heart palpitations, tremors, fatigue, lack of appetite or overeating, digestive difficulties, trouble sleeping, and the
like.
On its own, an isolated anxiety “attack” is not a disorder, as long as it is simply a reaction to a true emergency situation that has actually
happened. However, anxiety attacks become problematic when they occur suddenly, apparently out of the blue, and have no apparent
cause.
Many times, anxiety attacks’ cause or causes can be traced back to a situation of origin, such as having to rush a child to the emergency room
because he or she was in an accident.
However, anxiety attacks can then occur if the parent becomes obsessed with his or her child being hurt again, and has anxiety attacks simply by
thinking about this, because the parent’s sense of safety has been shaken.
If the obsession with the child being hurt increases or remains pervasive, or if this leads to a generalized fear and anxiety that was not
present before, then the anxiety attacks may be more severe and need treatment
Sometimes, these anxiety attacks will dissipate over time, as the situation that caused them in the
first place becomes more distant over time. However, if they do not, or if the pressures of life simply begin to cause regular occurrences of
anxiety attacks, then it is possible that sufferers may need professional help.
Behavioral therapy has been found to be very helpful in treating anxiety attacks; this involves something such as immersion therapy, which
involves confronting the situation that causes anxiety, slowly at first, and increasing intensity until it is fully confronted and then allowed
to dissipate.
Medications have also been found to be effective for anxiety attacks. Medications such as benzodiazepines are often prescribed short-term for
anxiety disorders, and are coupled with behavioral therapy, simply to give patients a jumpstart into treatment, so they feel better immediately
and can concentrate on the behavioral therapy they may be receiving.
However, benzodiazepines are habit-forming and should only be used short term. Antidepressant medications can also be prescribed and are
sometimes helpful, as are MAOIs.
Want to boot your anxiety attacks into touch?
For a complete guide chock-full of helpful information to keep at your fingertips, print out for your gym bags, glove box, briefcase,
and anywhere….grab your copy of: The self help
book and curing anxiety guide
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