Understanding Anxiety and Panic Attack Disorder

Anxiety is a normal human reaction to stressful situations. When experienced and expressed in a normal, healthy manner, anxiety can work in your benefit. However, too much anxiety, or anxiety that is severe and/or unexplained, can turn into a real problem. Anxiety and panic attacks go hand-in-hand, and when left untreated, can cause a myriad of distressing problems.

Symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks include excessive sweating, shaking, rapid or irregular pulse, stomach discomfort, intense fear, as well as a mixed bag of additional symptoms that can manifest in variety of ways. Some people experience tingling in their hands and feet. Others become pale. Still others have hot or cold flashes. Anxiety and panic attacks can occur without warning, with no understandable pattern. There are even nocturnal panic attacks that occur at night and disrupt the sufferer's sleep. This can cause insomnia and sleep deprivation, which can lead to a wide variety of additional problems and even more panic attacks.

There are a variety of ways anxiety and panic attack disorder can be handled. One way is via behavior modification. This is usually implemented during counseling sessions with an experienced therapist. The patient is shown how to recognize thoughts that precede or accompany anxiety and panic attacks, and replace them with thoughts that are healthier, more realistic and more likely to deflect such incidents. Other treatments for anxiety and panic attack disorder include dietary modifications, implementation of regular exercise, relaxation techniques, and sometimes medication.

While antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and panic disorder, they shouldn't be regarded as a magic solution. While many people respond well to antidepressant therapy, some experience unpleasant side effects. One factor that many people don't consider is the length of time it takes to wean off antidepressants. These medications should never be abruptly stopped, rather, the patient should gently taper down their dosage over a period of many months to prevent unpleasant side effects that may make panic problems worse.

The most important thing to remember when it comes to anxiety and panic disorder is that it's OK to ask for help. This condition is a real problem that affects people all over the world, and just because you have it that doesn't mean you're crazy or even mentally ill. It simply means that you require some care and attention, and possibly a prescription, to alleviate the distressing symptoms of the anxiety and panic attack disorder you're experiencing.

Copyright 2006 Frances Coleman - All Rights Reserved

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