.
Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Understanding anxiety and panic attacks is vital
if you wish to save your emotional health
.
This a potentially debilitating disorder that can make even the simplest tasks in our day to day lives extremely difficult.
.
Anxiety and panic attacks occur when the natural ‘fight or flight’ response our body responds to stress which goes wrong. This can lead to feelings of extreme panic and stress with no apparent stimuli.
.
The physical symptoms are caused when the brain sends messages to various parts of the body. These messages make the heart, lungs and other parts of the body work faster.
.
This accounts for the palpitations, fast breathing, shaking and dry mouth as well as a number of other symptoms you feel when you’re anxious.
.
Stress hormones such as adrenaline are sent into the bloodstream also when you are anxious. These are damaging on the body and can even cause things like strokes and heart attacks in the long term.
.
And so it’s important to get help if you are suffering, in order to feel better both mentally and physically.
.
.
Who Gets Anxiety and Panic Attacks?
.
Anxiety disorders are some of the most common mental health conditions in the U.S. It’s estimated that forty million adults suffer (which is a whopping eighteen percent of the population). However only around a third of people seek help and get treated.
.
Women suffer with more mental health problems in general. However, anxiety and panic attacks do not discriminate against age, gender, race or creed.
.
They affect both the old young and the young, and is seen in young children.
.
.
What Are The Causes of Anxiety and Panic Attacks?
.
Anxiety and panic attacks can be caused by a number of different factors.
- Genetics such as brain chemistry
- Medical factors including lack of oxygen to the brain
- Serious medical illnesses can cause anxiety
- Environmental factors such as stress at work or school
- The death of a loved one
- Trauma from past events
- Victimisation
- Can also be exacerbated or brought on through things like drug and alcohol abuse.
There’s no one ‘cause’ of anxiety and panic attacks. It’s different in everyone and is likely to be a combination of factors.
.
Some people may be genetically predisposed to being more anxious, which is then set off by environmental factors.
.
.
How Can Anxiety and Panic Attacks Be Treated?
.
There are two main types of treatment for anxiety and panic attacks.
.
The first is drug-based methods. These can help to block or ease the negative physical symptoms of anxiety. While these can be useful and can allow people to function and live a more normal life, they don’t address the root cause of the problem.
.
Psychological methods such as hypnotism and cognitive behavioural therapy can help you to understand your anxiety better. These disciplines determine the cause or your problem. They teach you positive ways of thinking and coping techniques.
.
Speaking to a clinical psychologist at a psychological health care facility can be extremely helpful. Often a combination of drugs and psychological methods will be combined to give the best effect.
.
It’s not necessarily the kind of thing that will just go away on its own. Therefore, it’s essential to get professional advice. Don’t let anxiety and panic attacks claim another day of your life.
.
Leave a Reply