| At sometime or another, almost everyone will | | | | people. Just the thought of doing something |
| experience a panic attack. Panic is a natural reaction | | | | uncomfortable can also be enough to bring on an |
| usually triggered when the mind believes that there is a | | | | attack. Some people have complained about having |
| threat. While most everyone has or will experience | | | | attacks when being alone in fear that something |
| panic at least once in their lives, some people | | | | terrible will happen. |
| experience them on a regular basis and are unable to | | | | Frequent episodes can easily interfere with a persons |
| get rid of them. Some of the most common situations | | | | ability to live a normal life. People have quit their jobs, |
| can trigger panic attacks and leave the individual | | | | ended relationships, and put their dreams aside |
| suffering and scared to live a normal life. | | | | because of panic attacks. Fortunately, the symptoms |
| When panic attacks are frequent, it is referred to as | | | | are harmless and can be easily treated. One form of |
| panic disorder. People who have a family history of | | | | treatment includes therapy with a counselor. In therapy, |
| other mental disorders such as depression and bipolar | | | | a series of issues will be addressed in order to get to |
| disorder usually have a higher chance of developing | | | | the bottom of the reason why the panic attacks are |
| panic disorder. Most panic attacks last anywhere from | | | | being experienced. Therapy can also help the individual |
| 5 to 30 minutes, but can last much longer. Panic | | | | better understand why the attacks are occurring, so |
| symptoms reach their peak around 10 minutes and can | | | | that they can address the root of the problem. |
| leave the individual feeling tired, drained, and disoriented. | | | | Reading self-help books is another helpful form of |
| Common symptoms associated with panic attacks | | | | treatment. There are a lot of anxiety workbooks that |
| include dizziness, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, | | | | include small exercises to help the individual overcome |
| a feeling that one is losing control, racing thoughts, | | | | symptoms. Paying attention to diet is an effective way |
| nervousness, and nausea. The actual attack itself is a | | | | to treat panic attacks. Too much sugar and caffeine |
| result of the bodies natural defense mechanism, called | | | | causes mood swings and can produce feelings of |
| the fight-or-flight response. Normally, a panic will only | | | | anxiousness. The best way to control attacks is by |
| occur when there is a real sense of danger. People | | | | eating more wholesome foods that are high in protein |
| who suffer with extreme anxiety will experience | | | | and fiber, instead of sugar and carbs. Caffeine should |
| attacks when there is nothing to be afraid of. | | | | also be cut down to a minimum. Some people have |
| There are a lot of people who experience these | | | | found that forcing themselves into uncomfortable |
| dreadful symptoms everyday. Sometimes, a person | | | | situations (such as going out with a few friends to a |
| will experience an attack in fear of having another | | | | place where there will be a lot of people) helps them |
| attack. Symptoms can also show up when an | | | | to overcome panic by confronting the symptoms head |
| individual is out shopping or around a large group of | | | | on. |