How To Control Anxiety and Panic Attacks

A Panic attack is a sudden occurrence of intense fear that develops for no reason and is associated with severe physical symptoms such as chest pains, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, and a sense of impending doom.

Panic attacks are very common. In a given year, 1 to 2% of the U.S. population has panic attacks. Women are twice as likely to have panic attacks than men.

Panic attacks can strike at almost anytime without warning- when you're driving down the highway, at a store, asleep, or in the middle of an important meeting. Panic attacks can greatly interfere with your life--and may endanger you or others if you are driving. Many people with panic attacks develop intense anxiety between episodes, worrying when and where the next one will occur. Also some people are afraid to leave their home because that is the only place that feel safe.

Panic attacks typically begin suddenly, without warning. The symptoms reach their high point usually within 10 minutes and last about half an hour. But they may last hours or sometimes up to a day. You may feel tired or worn out after an attack.

It is not know what cause panic attacks or panic disorders. Things that may play a role includes, Heredity and Changes in our brain function. Some research suggest that your body's natural fight-or-flight response to danger is involved in panic attacks. For example if you feel threatened in any way, your body would react instinctively. Your heart rate and breathing would increase as your body get ready to defend itself from the danger. But it's not known why an attack happen when there is no danger. This is something that researchers are still trying to figure out.

While panic attacks and panic disorder benefit from professional treatments, such as medications and a type of psychotherapy, you can also help manage your symptoms on your own. Some of the treatments are:

Stay on your medication. Facing your fears might be difficult, but your medication can help you feel like you're in control and not a hostage in your own home.

Join a support group. By joining a support group, you will connect with other people who have anxiety or panic disorders and help each other.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and drugs, all can trigger a panic attack.

Get exercise, a walk may be just change you mood.

Get adequate sleep so you won't feel tired and worn out during the day.

Panic attacks can affect your life and there is no sure way to prevent them, but getting treatment for the attacks as soon as possible may help stop them from getting worse or becoming more frequent.