Causes of Panic Attacks -- What They Are and How to Deal with Them
Panic attacks are defined as severe episodes of severe anxiety that last for several minutes and happen on an intermittent or regularly occurring basis. Symptoms of panic attacks include rapid or irregular heartbeat, profuse sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, intense fear, nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, trembling, hot or cold flashes, and an overall feeling of losing control. Panic attacks are frightening and unpleasant, and can affect every aspect of a sufferer's life.
There are many theories regarding the causes of panic attacks. One factor that seems to make a difference is heredity. Often, people who have a history of panic disorder in their families experience the disorder themselves. Other causes are external in nature and include traumatic life events, extreme thinking that causes a shift in bodily functions, certain medications and even conditions like hypoglycemia. While you will need to see your doctor or psychiatrist to determine a panic disorder diagnosis and the underlying cause, there are some lifestyle changes that can sometimes help alleviate your symptoms.
Some simple changes include diet and exercise. By eating healthy foods at regular intervals during the day, you can help regulate blood glucose. And by making smart choices, you can consume foods that boost serotonin levels and encourage a feeling of well being. On the other end of the spectrum, there are foods that can make the problem worse. It's wise to steer clear of too much sugar, white flour, or heavily processed foodstuffs and stick to foods like vegetables, lean meat, whole grains and lowfat dairy. Exercise can also be helpful in boosting the feel-good chemicals in the brain and relieving stress. Even something as simple as a 30 minute walk three times a week can make a difference.
Behavior modification can also help to lessen the duration, severity and occurance of panic attacks. By recognizing your individual anxiety triggers and choosing to respond in a different way, you can sometimes prevent or lessen panic attacks. Deep breathing and relaxation exercises can also usually provide some relief.
However, some people find that diet, exercise and behavior modification just doesn't work for them. If this is the case for you, then your doctor may decide to put you on medication. It's important to follow all of your doctor's instructions and take the medication exactly as directed. Normally, medication is given in conjunction with counseling or therapy and is often a last resort when all other treatment methods have failed.
Copyright 2008 Thomas Proctor- All Rights Reserved
Contact us | Home | Privacy Policy | Sitemap
| Sidebottom '100 percent' fit England seamer Ryan Sidebottom is available for the second one-day international against India after coming through a fitness test... | ||
Grill claims memory problems and panic attacks - ABC Online
| ||
With streaky offense, Rebels forced to do it the hard way down the stretch Sun, Nov 16, 2008 Learning While Winning UNLV gets by San Diego The Rebel Room An ugly win, but a win nonetheless Ryan Greene and Rob Miech discuss UNLV's ugly-but-successful afternoon in the Thomas & Mack ... | ||
Unfinished Business: Tasks Ignored During the Bush Reign of Horror Unfinished Business What's so funny? It must be an inside joke. Image cc Michael Collins "Scoop" Independent News The last eight years can best be described as the illegitimate rule of deviant forces bent on ... | ||
Four killed in Israeli attack - Gulf Daily News
| ||
Deck the malls with shopping panic It may be a couple of weeks shy of December, but I am in full-fledged Christmas panic... | ||
Four killed in Israeli attack GAZA City: An Israeli air strike killed four militants in the Gaza Strip yesterday and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he had commissioned a plan for military action in the Hamas-run territory if rocket attacks ... | ||
From the Editor : - CricketLine.com India have reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after beating Australia 2-0. The hosts won the final Test by 173 runs. Reckon India are the deserved winners? What do you make of ... | ||
Panic attacks often confused with other medical issues - BCM News
| ||
Turkey-press scan These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on November 17, 2008... | ||
Osborne set to reveal Tory tax U-turn as pound rebounds despite claims he was undermining Sterling (Daily Mail) George Osborne is set to unveil a series of recession-busting tax cuts as the Tories seek to regain the initiative over the economy... | ||
Harris remains hot as Nets sweep Hawks New Jersey Nets guard Keyon Dooling shoots over Atlanta Hawks guard Ronald Murray during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday Nov... | ||
King of Sweden Lead the Nurion Empire to Victory against the Yuri in this simple chain reaction game... | ||
Harborfields girls fall in four games Their hands clasped together on the attack line, Harborfields received its runner-up medals with a measure of sadness... | ||
NEW DAWN: Panic attacks - The Nation Newspaper
|
Technorati Tags: Panic Aattack, Causes of Panic Attacks -- What They Are and How to Deal with Them, Causes Of Panic Attacks
