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Anxiety Panic Disorder
How To Cope With Anxiety Panic Disorders
Millions of Americans suffer from anxiety disorders at some point in their lives. Anxiety is, to some extent, a normal reaction to stressful situations, such as having to speak in public. However, for many people, their reactions to these situations go beyond normal day-to-day nervousness. Anxiety panic disorders may affect more than six million Americans at some point in their lives. These disorders are very real illnesses that can be crippling for some people.
The main characteristic of an anxiety panic disorder is the panic attack. These attacks can happen in response to specific stress factors, or they can occur spontaneously. The sufferer may experience shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating and nausea, and may feel as if they are about to lose their mind. Often, the person suffering an anxiety/panic attack will end up in the emergency room because they think they are having a heart attack.
The medical tests the person undergoes can often make their anxiety worse, as they fear that something is seriously wrong with them. If a person suffers panic attacks frequently, then they may develop some sort of phobia, particularly if the attacks occur in a specific location, such as elevators.
Fear of having panic attacks will often lead the sufferer to avoid specific situations or locations. Some people will develop agoraphobia and can become housebound, as they fear leaving their homes.
There are several options doctors may choose from when treating anxiety panic disorders. They can often be controlled through the use of medication. Antidepressants, such as SSRIs, have been found to be helpful for anxiety symptoms and there are also specific anti-anxiety medications that may be used in stressful situations.
Psychotherapy, especially cognitive and behavioral therapy, is also highly beneficial. Your doctor may also advise you to quit smoking or drinking coffee, since caffeine and nicotine have been found to increase anxiety symptoms.
Many doctors also recommend stress-reducing techniques, such as meditation, tai chi, and yoga. Cardiovascular exercise, such as brisk walking can also help to reduce stress. Alternative practitioners may recommend the use of herbal remedies; St. John's Wort and valerian root are among the natural remedies that may be helpful.
Anxiety panic disorders are serious illnesses which can be disabling. Many sufferers are virtually crippled as they try to organize their lives in such a way as to avoid anxiety/panic attacks. However, these disorders are treatable. With the use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, stress management techniques and psychotherapy, many people with anxiety can live productive and fulfilling lives.
Mike Selvon's anxiety portal has some more useful information on anxiety panic disorders. Visit his web site and leave a comment at his anxiety attack symptom blog.
Will i die? From drinking to much water.?
Hey guys it has been like 82 deegrees ive drank up to 8-10 water botle this whole day from 7 am to 7 pm
Is this bad?
Im started to feel weird plus i have anxiety/panic disorder
I was playing soccer and i felt like i needed a break, thought it was anxiety atack so i chilled
it was so hot and i felt like al of a sudden i needed to poop
I went to bathroom and did diarrhea
I way around 95-100 pounds and im 15! but im not rly short
WhaT SHOULD I DO? eat things with saltt?
I have done it 3 times
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I am SO worried about my little sister please help!?
Hi, I'm a 22 year old female home from college on winter break, and I have a 10 year old sister. I had a messed up childhood, but I won't go into detail about it, because it would take too long. It is important to know, though, that I have struggled with an anxiety/panic disorder since the age of 7, bulimia since the age of 15, and depression since about 16. My dad is a successful businessman, and it's almost like he deals with his family in the same way he deals with his work. He doesn't talk to us about anything having to do with our emotions, and even when he found out that I was bulimic, he refused to talk to me about it/admit that I was dealing with this. Now, I am noticing in my 10 year old sister that she is struggling with the same anxiety that I did, maybe even worse. She is so paranoid about absolutely everything, and sometimes it causes her physical pain that she describes as feeling like "acid is pouring down her arms and legs," causes her extreme nausea/excessive sweating, or makes her tense up her muscles so much that she can't move. It is so upsetting for me to see, because I love her so much and I hate seeing her struggle with this. I know how painful it is to deal with crippling anxiety like this, because I experienced it too. I brought this up to my parents (my mom was very supportive, as she always is,) but my dad shut me down completely and actually got angry.That's how he always acts. He can't admit that something is wrong! When it comes to matters like this, he refuses to acknowledge that they are a problem because it is too stressful for him. He thinks that my concern for my sister is "ridiculous" and that I am overreacting. And the frustrating thing is that he is always the final authority on everything that happens in our house. I suggested she see a child psychologist to help her get some things off of her chest and give my mom advice on how to help her, but my dad would think is to be a ridiculous idea. If I were to suggest it to him, he would start yelling and shutting us down, as per usual. He acted this very same way when I had symptoms like these at her age, and I just went on to become depressed (with suicidal ideation) and developed an eating disorder that almost killed me. HELP! What do I do? I am not my sister's guardian so I can't take her to a psychologist without permission of my parents. I care about my sister's wellbeing more than my own so I will do anything to help her. What can I do? Does anyone have any advice?? Thank you so much.
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