Panic Attacks, Anxiety Or Stress-Tell Me Your Story.

If you have had an Experience with Panic Attacks, Anxiety Or Stress-Tell Me Your Story.I would love to hear how others have been successfully dealing with there struggles. Even if things haven't gone exactly the way you hoped I would still like to here about it.(good or bad)

Leave your story as a comment below this post. If you have overcome your anxiety disorder and would like to share the techniques or medications that helped you to overcome your anxiety,stress or panic attacks Please feel free to leave that information below as well. (it may help someone else to find the proper treatment).

I would also encourage anyone who has a relevant link to a related website or blog to also leave it in the comment section but Please no Affiliate links or spamming.(I monitor all comments and inappropriate ones will be deleted.





 

Panic Attacks. Are They All In Your Head ?

If you suffer from panic attacks you have probably heard from at least one person that Panic Attacks Are All In Your Head. Well that might be true when you think about it literally, but when you break anxiety,stress and panic attacks down into there more basic levels, the all in your head argument doesn't  really make much sense at all

I bet some of you are thinking that this guy doesn't know what he's talking about! I've been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks for many years now and I can guarantee that have a lived with panic and anxiety long enough to understand the subject very well. I'm not a doctor or a mental health professional but I do know from experience that panic attacks are definitely not all in your head.

Take for example the fact that many sufferers(me included) do much better when they modify there lifestyles, such as exercises and healthier eating habits. These things are not all in your head they are external factors that can be modified, and in many cases they are all that is needed to bring you out of there constant state of panic and anxiety.

I am well aware that this is not true in all cases, however in the majority of cases these lifestyle adjustments will help to lower levels of anxiety and panic significantly. For instance just reducing sugar and caffeine intake or cutting them out completely can help to lower anxiety levels and in turn reduce the severity and frequency of panic attacks

Eating more nutritious whole foods and less junk and processed foods will help to replenish the nutrients that we lack as a result of poor eating habits I honestly believe that the majority of panic attacks are a result of poor lifestyles that eventually catch up to us over time. If you disagree/agree or just have you own opinions about what I have written, leave a comment. I welcome all feedback good or bad..

Panic Attacks,Anxiety and Stress-The Snowball Effect.

The Snowball Effect is a great way to describe Panic Attacks,Anxiety and Stress especially if they are left untreated. Like a snowball rolling down a snow covered hill, panic attacks,anxiety and stress can build up over a relatively short period of time until they become very difficult to manage.

The best option(in a perfect world) would be to not let these problems get out of control in the first place.But since we don't live in a perfect world and we all have busy lives it may be easier said than done.

The most important thing to remember about stress,anxiety and panic attacks is that even though avoiding the situations that causes them may help in the short term it will only make it more difficult to deal with those unavoidable things that happen to all of us eventually.

Finding ways to relieve stress is sometimes hard to do but if we take action before things snowball out of control it will make a big difference in the way we cope. We just need to take a bit of time to find ways of dealing with stress that works best for each of us.

There are many easy and effective techniques available for people of any age and skill,and with the internet being such a great source of information many of these techniques are available with just a few clicks of the mouse.

If you need some examples of techniques that are useful in lower stress levels click on this link (or one of the others above)-------->Techniques

"One Molecule Opens the Door to New Treatments for Depression" (very interesting research finding)

I read about a new research study of Depression and Anxiety yesterday and thought it might be of some interest.I won't bother to rewrite the whole thing in this post but instead give a quoted excerpt from the study so you can decide for your self if you would like  to click the link to find out more.

"One Molecule Opens the Door to New Treatments for Depression"

"A discovery by EPFL’s Brain Mind Institute may engender potential new ways of treating depression and anxiety.

There has been little progress in the way we treat depression and anxiety for over thirty years, but a recent study at EPFL Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) may open the door to new strategies. In an article published online February 23, 2010, in Molecular Psychiatry,researchers from two laboratories at the Brain Mind Institute at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) explain how understanding the functioning of a molecule called MIF, or macrophage migration inhibitory factor, may change the way we treat depression."

Remember that the above is a  quoted excerpt  from another article,I don't necessarily agree or disagree with the findings I just thought that it was an interesting study.

The full article can be read by following the link above.

Are Panic Attacks in the Genes?

Panic Attacks are some of the most frightening episodes that anyone will ever have to deal with.Most often they are triggered by a stressful event(past or present),and/or heightened levels of anxiety.This is not true in all case though,some people have experienced panic attacks with no particular trigger or cause.

So Are Panic Attacks in the Genes?There is some evidence of a genetic element to panic attacks as well as other types of anxiety disorders.However there is no concrete evidence that heredity is a factor since the causes of panic attacks are yet to be determined.I tend to agree at least somewhat with the notion that mental disorders like anxiety,panic attacks,depression and many others may very well be inherited.There does seem to be a strong family history in a great number of cases.

In my case I do have at least two other family members that have suffered from anxiety related disorders.This could be a coincidence but I'm sure that if we could dig deeper into our family histories we may find a lot more instances of conditions similar to our own.

That being said panic and anxiety can also be a learned behavior which could explain the reason that it seems to run in families.In this case it may not have anything at all to do with genetics but more to do with the environment in which we are raised.

Anxiety and Panic Attacks Blog Has A New Domain

Just in case anyone who visits my blog hasn't noticed the change yet Anxiety and Panic Attacks Blog Has A New Domain Name.I thought it would be a good idea to point this out as most of the time I don't tend to notice these kinds of changes myself.
This change has taken a bit of time for me to implement only because of the importance of choosing the right domain name.I really think that the change will make it a hole lot easier for everyone including myself to remember the url.I don't know yet how the change will effect my search engine rankings and the promotional differences that this change will bring but hopefully it will be for the better.

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Generized Anxiety Disorder(GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is one of the most common mental disorders and can effect anyone regardless of their financial and social backgrounds.A diagnoses of GAD is usually made when a persons anxieties go from being normal everyday worries and stresses to excessive and uncontrollable anxiety and worry lasting for long periods of time.(6 months or more)

People experiencing generalized anxiety disorder will often see disaster around every corner.They may be overly concerned about their health and the health of their loved ones,most often for no particular reason.People suffering from GAD may also worry more than usual about their jobs,money and what others think about them.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder affects millions of people globally.Women seem to be at greater risk of developing GAD than men.(about twice as likely)Generalized Anxiety  Disorder can play a hugh roll in the development of Panic Attacks,but at the same time this is not always the case.Many people suffering from GAD may never experience a panic attack.

The most common Symptoms of GAD are excessive and/or long periods of uncontrolllable anxiety and worry,restlessness,feelings of being on edge,an unrealistic view of everyday problems,irritability and/or moodiness,tiredness,headaches,muscle tension,sweating,difficulty concentrating,nausea,and difficulty with sleep.There are many other symptoms and not everyone will experience all of them.

As with most Mental disorders the causes are not fully understood but research has found that family history,environmental factors and brain chemistry are at least possible contributing factors in the development of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.Although the symptoms are very disturbing for those suffering from GAD the disorder is treatable.

There are many Effective Treatments available for Generalized Anxiety Disorder they include,relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing exercises,Cognitive Behavior Therapy,Progressive Muscle Relaxation,and even Physical Exercise can be extremely beneficial in helping to reduce the symptoms of GAD and many other Anxiety Disorders.

For more information on the treatments listed above click on the links provided in the post.These links are to older more in depth posts and other resources

Agoraphobia

Panic Attacks are extremely disturbing and can be difficult to treat.In severe cases Panic attacks can lead to avoidance of situations that cause stress and anxiety. This kind of avoidance can sometimes lead to the development of an anxiety disorder called Agoraphobia. Agoraphobia usually develop over a period of many years but can strike suddenly as well.

Agoraphobia is a disabling condition in which the person fears places that are difficult to escape from or will cause them to be embarrassed. In extreme cases, the person may never or rarely leave their home. Agoraphobia is usually treated in connection with panic disorder as they normally are closely connected.(but not in all cases) People who suffer from panic attacks may also develop other phobias or OCD's. Although it is not know for sure,early treatment of panic attacks could in theory prevent Agoraphobia all together.

Some Things That Can Mimic/Worsen Panic Attacks.

Researchers are not completely sure what causes panic attacks. However genetic and environment conditions may be a factor. If a family member suffers from panic attacks, it seems to be much more likely that you may as well.

Stressful events good or bad can also play a large role in the development of panic attacks. Often at times of change such as marriage/divorce, the death of a loved one, the birth of a child, moving out of a familiar home or community, financial problems and/or a major job change or loss.

There are also several physical ailments and conditions that can mimic the  physical feelings of  panic attacks. Some of the below are know to cause similar symptom. And should be ruled out by your health care provider.

•     Mitral valve prolapse. This is when one of the heart valves does not close off properly. It is not a known to be a serious condition but should be diagnosed and treated to prevent further complications.

   

•     Tachycardia. You may experience a raised heart rate due to a tachycardia attack. This may be a symptom of another heart related syndrome and your doctor will probably suggest an ECG.

•    Hyperthyroidism. This is also often accompanied with a loss of appetite and weight loss. This can be checked with a simple blood test and is treatable. Hyperthyroidism is caused by an over active thyroid.

•     Hypoglycemia. Very low blood sugar levels can cause Panic Like symptoms.   A test of your glucose tolerance can help to determine whether this could be an issue for you.  Hypoglycemia can also be a precursor to diabetes.

•       Overuse or Abuse of  Stimulants. Substances that increases the heart rate such as caffeine, and the abuse of prescription and illegal drugs can cause some of the characteristics of panic attacks.

•     Changes in medications. If you’ve been taking  medication for a long period of time and suddenly stop for some reason, sometimes there can be a physical reaction as your brain adjusts to the different levels of chemicals in your body. If you have been taking medication for a long time, consult your doctor before discontinuing it as this can not only cause panic-like symptoms but can also be very dangerous as well. Some medication also list anxiety and panic as a possible side effect,so that might be something to discuss with your doctor as well.

•     Physical and Mental Exhaustion. Living in a constant state of flux, with high levels of stress and improper sleeping habits may cause adrenal failure which can trigger panic attacks. Adrenal failure is a growing problem in today’s busy life and can lead to hyperthyroidism and other complications if not treated properly.

•     Depression and Many Other Mental Health Issues.can make a person more likely to suffer from panic attacks. It’s important to ensure that you receive the proper treatments including the correct medication and/or therapy for whatever conditions  you are dealing with as this may also help when dealing with panic attacks.

Panic Attacks Guide Free Pdf Download!

Get your free Panic Attacks Guide Today! Just click the ling either in this post the sidebar or click the title of this post.The ebook is 100% free and is about 20 pages long.It contains some of  the information found on this blog and a lot of information not posted here.

The book has a section devoted to inspiring quotes that are related to panic disorder and are an interesting read as well.If you decide to download the book please read the permissions readme file that that goes with it.

Panic Attack Ebook-Submit You link For Inclusion in The Resource Section.

Panic Attack Ebook-Submit You link For Inclusion in The Resource Section.I have almost completed my first ebook on the subject of panic attacks.It will only be between 15 and 20 pages long but is filled with interesting and useful panic attack information.It will also be available as a free download.

I have decided to include a resource section in the book and am offering a limited number of link inclusions for people who have a great informational blog or website.I would also like to include some inspiring stories about overcoming panic attacks,stress and anxiety if anyone would like to share.

One thing I must say is that because this is an informational book I will not include other peoples hoplinks or affiliate links,but may consider including product ads or links to products for a fee as long as they are relevant and useful(I haven't decided for sure yet).Let me know as soon as possible if you have something you would like to have included as I will be releasing the book very soon.. 

Stress-Things You Can Do To Deal More Effectively With It.

Stress is something we all deal with from time to time,but a lot of us do not deal with it as effectively as we would like.Stress can be a very big part of the overall Panic and Anxiety picture since most of the people who suffer from these problems tend to have a hard time keeping the daily stresses of life from becoming overwhelming.

There are some very simple things that can be done to reduce the amount of stress or at the very least,deal with it more effectively.If you are open to some alternative stress reduction techniques some of them may be very effective if done properly.

Below are some of the more common ways that I have come across that may help.Most of them are proven to be effective and are worth considering.That being said not everyone will have the same results so it might be necessary to experiment with different techniques to find the one that works best for you.

• EFT or (emotional freedom technique) is a technique that I have read a lot about but have only tried a couple of times.It involves tapping of certain points on the body to eliminate negative energy,stress.and thoughts.From what I have read about EFT it is useful in the treatment of many illnesses as well as stress and anxiety.to find out more about EFT I suggest visiting your local library,doing a search on google or youtube.(which is were I first discovered the technique.

• Exercise is another easy(and free)way to help control stress.It doesn't matter what type of exercise you choose as long as you find something you like and stick with it.I have said this before in other post but I don't mind repeating myself.

• Meditation is a very common stress reduction technique as well.There are many forms of meditation so finding one that suits your needs should be relatively easy..

• Yoga is something that I have actually tried but am not very good at yet and it really does seem to help.

• Positive Thinking can be a powerful stress buster as well.If you have been a negative person for a long time it may be difficult at first to think more positively,but like they say "practice makes perfect."

• Do something you enjoy.This is one of the things that I find to be the most helpful.It doesn't have to be something that cost money or even anything overly exciting as long as you enjoy doing it.examples(cooking,reading my blog(wink)or surfing the web,playing guitar.

• Laugh.Watch a funny movie,listen to a funny joke,read a funny book.what ever you like,just take a few minutes out of the day to laugh.(it works)

• Write down your thoughts.I try to do this everyday.Its just a good way to keep track of the good times and release the negative emotions about the bad times.

These are just a few of the many ways that are worth considering when trying to effectively deal with the stresses of everyday life and are not necessarily right for everyone.

Panic Attacks-Gain Confidence One Step At A Time.

When you start out on the road to recovery from Panic Attacks,it can be very overwhelming.It can also be very difficult to gain the confidence needed to take the first step in whatever treatment method you choose.If you have struggled with your confidence levels in the past,panic attacks have probably zapped what little confidence you may have had left.

The good news is that the panic attacks recovery process can also help you gain confidence one step at a time.If you have difficulty with certain situations.I suggest choosing to try to overcome the one that cause the least amount of discomfort first,as this will be the easiest one to overcome in most case and will give you the strength and confidence to take on some bigger challenges..

For this example I will use shopping at your local grocery store but it could be any situation that makes you anxious or causes you to panic.You may want to start out very slowly at first until you become more confident in your ability to cope and remember that it will be a slow process in most cases and setbacks are a part of recovery but once progress is made recovery is usually relatively fast..

When you make your first attempt at going to the "grocery store" bring a trusted friend or family member with you if that makes the experience more tolerable.Start out by going as far as you can comfortably,and then leave as soon as you feel the first signs of a panic attack.The next time you go,try to stay a bit longer.When the familiar signs of a panic attack start to emerge this time instead of leaving immediately,try your best to tell yourself that you are perfectly safe and that the symptoms will subside.Eventually you will have to try to remain in the situation until the symptoms are gone or at the very least tolerable.If the symptoms become to much to handle always give yourself permission to leave.

Being overly critical of your actions will only make your confidence problems worse.Like the old saying goes if at first you don't succeed try,try again.It is also recommended that you keep some sort of record of your attempts so you can refer to them at a later date.I keep a journal that i write mostly about my successes and not so much about my failures as focusing too much on your failed attempts can have a negative effect on your confidence which is of course what we are trying to build upon to help us to overcome our panic attacks.

The technique is basically a for of exposure therapy and you will most likely have to practice this everyday or at least as much as possible for it to help.So now that we have made some successful attempts at overcoming our panic attacks our confidence should be to the point were we can try to put ourselves into these situations with little or no assistance and cope fairly well with the symptoms.This of course is only one of the many techniques that are helpful in dealing with panic attacks and may not be right for everyone.However I have found it very effective.

I will be dedicating a couple of my future posts to the subject of confidence building,and since I am by no means an expert on the topic I will make some resources available for anyone who is interested.I would also be very interested in your comments and suggestion on that and any other topic you wish to discuss..

Panic Attacks-Exercise Should Be a Big Part of Your Treatment Plan.

If you suffer from Panic Attacks,I won't have to tell you how uncomfortable the symptoms can be!On my Anxiety and Panic Attacks Blog I talk about many important panic and anxiety related topics,and this one is no exception.It is something I believe in so much that this is my second post about it.(and most likely not my last.)The topic I will discuss today is Panic Attacks and why Exercise Should Be a Big Part of Your Treatment Plan.

Most of the symptoms of Panic Attacks are the result of a number of biological changes that occur during times of anxiety and stress.One such change includes the release of excessive amounts of adrenaline.(there are of course others as well),it is important to be able to reduce the amount of adrenaline in order to reduce at least some of the symptoms of panic attacks.)

This in my opinion this means that one of the first things that should be considered is an exercise routine of some kind.(of course the very first thing that anyone suffering from any kind of condition should do is visit their doctor to rule out physical causes for their symptoms.)After the doctor has given a full exam and everything is OK you should try to find an activity that you enjoy.This is very important because it will determine whether or not you will be able to stick with the activity or give up because its either too difficult or boring.

The activity you choose can be anything as long as it gets you moving and your heart rate up.If you have a hard time choosing an activity,ask friends and family,search online or just take a bit of time to notice what others in your area are doing.Walking is a very popular exercise that can be done by anyone of any fitness level.Best of all its free.It really doesn't matter what you choose just choose something and get started as soon as possible.

Only 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise,a couple of times per week will help to greatly reduce panic attack symptoms in most cases.Of course exercise is only one part of the bigger picture and since the lasting benefits of exercise might not be experienced as quickly as most of us would like,there are also other life style changes like eating healthier and using Anxiety/stress reduction techniques that can be done to help reduce panic attack symptoms.

I have inserted a link above to an older post that talks a bit about some of the more popular Anxiety/Stress reduction techniques that will help to reduce or eliminate Panic Attacks.If there is enough interest in the subject I will also be writing a more detailed post about some of the more common Anxiety/Panic and Stress reduction techniques that are available.Just let me know what you are interested in and I will do my best to address it.

Panic Attacks-Why Me?

If you are suffering from Panic Attacks or any life altering condition you have probably asked yourself  Why Me?I know I have!Unfortunately when it comes to Panic Attacks(and pretty much anything else in life)its more or less the "luck of the draw".

On the other hand,when we look back on certain aspects of our lives we can probably see at least a few instances where we could have made some changes.These changes may or may not have given us a better chance of not developing whatever problem we happen to be dealing with now.(who knows right)

Some people are lucky enough to go through life without having any major issues(health,mental,money)but a lot of us are not as fortunate.The thing that I try to focus on is that although we may be experiencing things like Panic Attacks now and there may or may not have been things we could have done differently in the past.

The past is just that,The Past!

We can't change the things that might have been,so we need to change the things that might be!The present and the future are the only things that we have some control over.The present is a good place to start since that is what will determine the future.For example,I have recently over hauled my eating habits,I exercise every other day.and  I am also trying to think more positively

Anything you do now to improve your life style will definitely help to reduce or even eliminate the problems you are dealing with.But like a lot of panic attack sufferers I've been struggling with self confidence issues for some time,and am trying my best to work through that as well.

I will try to make some resources available(through links)to help anyone who is interested in gaining control over their panic attacks and being more self confident.

Thanks for reading,and Please Follow my blog.

Panic,Anxiety,Stress,Fears and ,Phobias-Your Experiences

In this post on my Anxiety and Panic Attacks Blog.I'm not going to be writing about anything specifically related to Panic and Anxiety Attacks.The main goal today is for me to invite everyone who is reading this post to tell their own story

It would be nice if your comments were related to some sort of experience with stress,anxiety,panic attacks,phobias or something of that nature but all comments and stories are welcome.

The stories and comments can be about any kind of experience at all.If you've never had a panic attack before but are afraid of snakes,heights,bugs,flying or anything really.I would be very interested in hearing about your experiences and the things that you do to cope,the ways that these experiences have effected your lives,and the steps you have taken to overcome your fears,phobias ect.

Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog.

Panic Attacks-The Fight or Flight Response

As most of us are aware,when we are in the midst of a Panic Attack something known as the fight or flight response automatically takes over.This is a natural physiological and psychological response to a real or perceived danger/threat.In the case of real danger such as a bear attack or a mugging,the fight or flight response is a great protective mechanism.

When the fight or flight response is triggered a part of the brain called the hypothalamus is stimulated which causes the release of increased amounts of chemicals such as adrenaline,noradrenaline and cortisol.

These chemical increases cause our breathing rate to increase,the blood to moved from the areas of the body that are less essential to more vital areas such as the major  muscles and limbs.These are the parts of the body that require the most energy for fighting or fleeing.The more energy that is available,the more like it will be that we will survive the fight or successfully flee from the situation.

When there is no real danger or threat,and the fight or flight response is activated due to a panic attack,the result is irrational,exaggerated fear,confusion,distorted thinking and sensitivity to sound and/or light.(as well as many other symptoms)The sporadic nature of panic attacks makes it extremely difficult to predict when they will occur,and causes fear of the panic attack its self.

Panic Attacks-What are They and How do They Affect Daily Living

What are Panic Attacks?

Panic Attacks are extremely intense epidodes of irrational fear that happen out of the blue,and most often for no obvious reason.These episodes usually last for only a few minutes but can last for 20 minutes or more.Panic Attacks are cyclic in nature which meens that a 5 mniute panic attack can occur over and over until it seems as if it is one attack lasting sometimes as long as an hour.(possibly more).

Click here to read about the symptoms and treatment options for Panic Attacks

How do Panic Attacks affect daily living?
Panic Attacks can happen anywhere and at any time.This unpredictablilty is what makes them so un-nerving for those who suffer from them.Most often people who suffer from panic attacks find that their homes are a safe haven.They often avoid the places that cause the most distress,or will only go to these place when acompanied by a trusted friend or family member.

If the first experience with a panic attack occured while driving,a person may avoid driving all together or drive only if someone else is with them.Similarly if a panic attack were to happen in a mall or grogery store the person might avoid shopping.If avoidance is praticed for long periods of time and no treatment is started these irrational fears will become deeply rooted,and the panic disorder will be more dificult to overcome and could also develop into a condition called Agoriphobia..

The daily activities mentioned above are ones that most people take for granted and they will often not understand why such normal non threatening activities would cause someone such distress.My answer to this very common question is that while these activities are not preceaved to be dangerous or threatening by the average person the extremely uncomfortable symptoms and irrational nature of panic attacks will distort the sufferers preception of danger and will cause many normal everyday situations and activities to become unbearable.
 
Fortunately with treatment Panic and Anxiety Attacks can be reduced dramatically or cured completely.