Sunday, May 3, 2009

What Causes An Anxiety Panic Attack?

We completely worry or panic at times. Did I leave the curling iron plugged in and switched on? What if I don't make it to the wedding in time? Will I fail my mid-term? Does my partner want to be with someone else? These thoughts may keep us awake all night long but still not constitute as an anxiety panic attack.
Panic attack disorder is an unmistakable feeling, much like a heart attack, where you feel an overwhelming sense of dread, you focus on worst case scenarios and you feel utterly out-of-control. Your heart is beating rapidly, you're sweating, you feel dizzy, your limbs go numb, you have trouble swallowing, you feel nauseous and you have chest pains. Over time, you become afraid of the fear itself and suffering another panic attack, so you may withdraw and initiate to avoid the triggers of panic.

The anxiety panic attack may begin with negative thoughts, which turn into physical symptoms as well. Soon we're worrying about those physical symptoms and surmising that it could be heart attacks or more dangerous ailments. "Maybe I'm losing control, going crazy or dying," one might think.

Other times, there is seemingly no trigger at all and a person just falls into abysmal, hopeless terror and starts running to escape the feeling of helplessness. The type of symptoms you encounter'll affect which type of anxiety attacks treatment you undergo.

An anxiety panic attack is sometimes hard to delineate from normal stress or anxiety. Naturally, when we think of a loved one dying, losing a job, breaking up with a partner or getting into an argument with someone, we're going to feel charged up with adrenaline, morose and sometimes out of control.

Our body's natural response to stress is to speed up that heart rate, transmit messages around the body at an alarming rate and lead to the sweat glands to open up. However, normal anxiety becomes a problem when there is seemingly no trigger at all; when we begin to avoid certain people, places or things we deem as triggers; when we become socially withdrawn; and when physical problems like nausea, heart palpitations, hyperventilating and chest discomfort occur.

You may have an anxiety panic attack in your sleep, which comes about spontaneously. Or you may have a cued panic attack based on a certain place or situation, e.g. an elevator, enclosed spaces or public places. Regardless, it is important that you learn to stop panic by mastering control over your thoughts and body processes.

You are not dying or going crazy. You have complete control over what happens to you. With the right tricks, tools and techniques picked up through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and panic attack medication, you'll be ready for any negative thoughts or sensations that come your way.

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