Skip to main content

Panic Attacks and Anxiety - An Introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

 

panic attacks and anxiety

There are different ways to address anxiety and panic attacks. If you want to know about your anxiety and panic attacks, then you need to understand how they occur. An anxiety attack makes you feel a sudden, intense fear which is paralyzing and overwhelming. They may occur for no apparent reason, maybe a traumatic triggering incident has caused you to have one, or sometimes it is genetic.

During a panic or anxiety attack, you might feel threatened or afraid. Anxiety attacks may last for several minutes or much longer, depending on the person. They can vary in intensity and symptoms, from dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, trembling, etc. Anxiety attacks are a serious condition which can have negative physical symptoms as well.

Panic and anxiety disorders can have many common triggers, such as childhood traumas, abuse, major life changes, financial problems, financial insecurity, work-related stress or even the death of loved one. Triggers can change from time to time and therefore can also be triggered by very common triggers. Although most of the time, when an individual gets anxious or fearful, it is because they are having a common, known trigger, there are times when these feelings are unexpected and unwanted. Some individuals experience their first panic or anxiety attack after being victimized by some sort of traumatic experiences, such as sexual assault. Other individuals experience these feelings after dealing with major life changes such as divorce.

The symptoms of panic or anxiety attacks can vary from individual to individual, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Some of the common physical symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, panic attacks or fear, chest pain, nausea, hot flashes, chills, tingling or trembling, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. These symptoms do not usually occur right away and may last for only a few minutes or for several hours. There are also those that experience the sensation of having a heart attack or even fear that something is going to happen to them.

The majority of anxiety attacks are treated using some form of prescription medication. These medications usually help lessen the severity of the symptoms and help control the anxiety that is experienced. There are also several forms of therapy that are used in the treatment of anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been recognized as one of the most effective and successful treatments available. In this type of therapy, the individual is taught positive behavior and ways to cope with their symptoms. The goal of this treatment option is to help the patient learn to identify the negative thoughts and beliefs that are causing their attacks and then replace them with more realistic and healthy thinking patterns.

Another option that a person has in terms of treating their anxiety attacks and symptoms is to take an herbal remedy. There are several herbal remedies available that can help alleviate the physical symptoms of these attacks. Some of the herbs that have been tested and have shown success in helping to treat these symptoms include lavender, chamomile, and Valerian. Some people find that aromatherapy is an effective way to help alleviate these symptoms.

The most common symptoms of an anxiety attack are shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, nausea, chest pain, sweating, heart attack feelings, feeling faint, shaking or trembling, shakiness and tingling sensations. When any of these symptoms occur, it is important that you go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. These attacks can lead to a heart attack and death if not treated. If you feel that you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important that you consult your doctor. Your doctor will perform tests to determine if there is anything medically wrong with you.

He will then evaluate your symptoms to determine what kind of treatment options are available. It is very likely that some type of cognitive behavioral therapy will be recommended as a way of treating your attacks. However, if your doctor determines that you do not need medication to treat your condition, then he may recommend psychotherapy as a treatment option for your attacks.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Testing for Depression

  As a child of the eighties, I remember my parents' excitement over the idea of testing for depression in adults. The thought of taking a pill every day to "make me feel good," was a far more attractive option than the prescription drugs my parents were taking. I grew up with parents who could never imagine themselves as adults. In my mind, their adult emotions had to be somehow "determined" by some mental process that could never be completely understood by the average person. So they put aside their qualms about the use of psychiatric medications, and enjoyed the benefits of their choice. Today, I am an adult who have had "the experience" of having "depressed feelings," but not necessarily experienced the debilitating episodes of depression that my parents' generation did. Today, I have learned how to "cope." Through a course of prescribed medication and therapy, I have discovered how to treat depression, and I no longer take...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dealing With Panic Attacks in Dogs

Anxiety is often one of the most prevalent causes of panic attacks in dogs. In fact, it is the number one cause. Moreover, dog panic disorder generally occurs in nervous dogs. However, nervous dogs may not be able to convey with humans effectively or owners simply turn a deaf ear to this condition in pets. There are several possible causes of these anxiety disorders in pets. One of the primary causes is the fear of potentially suffering from a panic attack. Many anxious dogs may exhibit specific behavioral symptoms such as whimpering, barking, pacing, sniffling, and staring at things that may be potentially harmful. It's common that these types of behaviors are caused by the fear of experiencing a panic attack. The behaviors are typically abnormal, and owners may think their pets are suffering from some kind of phobia. In many cases, these symptoms are mistaken for the typical symptoms of anxiety. However, there is another potential cause. Some dogs who experience anxiety have a fo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Panic Attacks Symptoms - How to Recognize Them

  Panic attacks are very frightening and can even result in death if not properly treated. In this article we will look at the symptoms of panic attacks. Then, we will look at how you can begin to treat your panic attacks. Finally, we will look at some important tips that can help you get rid of your panic attacks. Most of the symptoms of panic attacks occur within ten minutes of beginning the panic episode. At first, the most severe parts of panic attacks usually last only for about ten minutes. But some individuals have longer attacks, lasting up to half an hour. During the initial part of a panic episode, a sufferer may not be capable to function normally in many situations. The letdown following a panic episode can be very exhausting. Some of the most common symptoms of panic attacks are palpitations, dizziness, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, sweating, nausea, shakiness, and a constant feeling of dread. These symptoms often occur along with other symptoms of anxiety, su...
Post a Comment
Read more

Depression Poetry - A Look At Two Transgressors Who Changed Their Paths

For many, depression poetry is a form of self-expression that challenges you to view yourself differently. The poems are often short and to the point. This is why they are often referred to as "dying" poems. They act as a guide for those who are feeling down and out to find the strength to continue on with their lives. What exactly is depression poetry? This type of poetry helps depression suffers discover the things that they love to do and have in their life. These can be things like music, art or exercise. Depression is often defined by a lack of interest in the things that once caused happiness. These poems challenge those who feel hopeless to keep going. They might have previously thought their life had no purpose but reading inspirational quotes and poems can help change that. Many forms of poetry are good for depression because they tend to be about something that everyone else either enjoys or is at least familiar with. By creating your own depression poetry, you can ...
Post a Comment
Read more