| If you're looking to find help for panic attacks, you | | | | in it. A minor argument with my girlfriend would lead to |
| aren't just limited to mood altering drugs. While | | | | me feeling as though I couldn't breathe. A counselor |
| medication that alters brain chemistry is helpful to | | | | explained to me that the level of stress in our body is |
| many people who suffer from these debilitating | | | | like the liquid in a cup. The more full it is, the easier it is |
| attacks, simple measures to reduce the stress in your | | | | to make it spill over when something new is put in it. If |
| life may greatly help in reducing them. | | | | a cup is only half full you can drop a large ice cube into |
| People who suffer from panic attacks and other | | | | it and it won't spill over. On the other hand if it's filled to |
| anxiety disorders find that they are suddenly and | | | | the brim, then only a few drops will send it over the |
| irrationally gripped by intense feelings of fear. These | | | | top. |
| are so strong they can make normal life impossible to | | | | In order to reduce panic attacks we need to find ways |
| lead. Sufferers commonly experience a rapid and | | | | to eliminate and manage our stress. Here are some |
| irregular heartbeat, sweaty palms, trouble breathing and | | | | great tips for keeping stress in check and those nasty |
| may even think that they are having a heart attack. | | | | hormones out of your system: |
| There can be many mental and physical triggers that | | | | - Plan it Out: Often we encounter stress from being |
| bring about panic attacks. Too much caffeine, not | | | | rushed or not feeling completely prepared for what is |
| enough sleep, alcohol, high levels of certain hormones, | | | | going on in our lives. By making a schedule and |
| vitamin deficiency and many other factors have been | | | | knowing how you're going to deal with stress-inducing |
| tied to panic attacks. One of the most universal though, | | | | factors, you can remain one step ahead of the game. |
| is high levels of stress. | | | | - Be Flexible: Sometimes we stress ourselves out |
| A recent study in Behavioral Neuroscience showed | | | | because we didn't get to everything on our "To Do" list. |
| that high levels of stress led to increased levels of | | | | Hey, it happens! You have to role with the punches |
| sustained anxiety. We all go through stress, but if | | | | and remind yourself that not everything is a do-or-die |
| overexposed our bodies produce too much of certain | | | | task. |
| hormones, cortisol and corticosterone. In the study, | | | | - Relax: Yes, I know that it's easier said than done, but |
| mice exposed to high levels of these hormones | | | | finding ways to relax and relieve stress goes a long |
| exibited much more anxious tendencies than those | | | | way in cutting down on panic attacks. Learn about |
| who were only given small doses. | | | | deep breathing techniques, meditation, progressive |
| The toll that overexposure to these hormones has on | | | | muscle relaxation and even visualization to help you |
| our bodies seems to lessen our ability to deal with | | | | stop the attacks from controlling you. Stress relief may |
| stressful events, thus a panic attack can be caused by | | | | not eliminate panic attacks altogether, but it's certainly a |
| something minor. The trigger might not even be | | | | step in the right direction. Not only will it help to improve |
| noticeable to us; too much caffeine, not enough sleep | | | | your overall health and well-being, but with fewer panic |
| or just a fluctuation in our blood sugars. | | | | attacks you'll be able to get a better handle on your |
| Having suffered from anxiety disorder and panic | | | | life. |
| attacks I can personally testify to the role stress plays | | | | |