Help For Panic Disorder Is Not Far Off

Suppose you are walking down a dark alley all by yourself. Suddenly you hear footsteps behind you. Your heart begins to pound, you start sweating, expecting the worst, your hands are clammy, you find it hard to walk, yet you know you must escape from this situation, otherwise you are doomed. When you hit the main road, lighted and crowed, you look back to see an old woman walking in the same direction. You are drained out. Yet, you cannot help laughing at yourself for being so foolish. You feel very silly.

You have neither been foolish nor silly. You did not know that this was the beginning of a dreaded disorder called anxiety disorder. There is no reason to feel embarrassed or to think you are weak by nature. Anxiety disorder is the most common of all mental disorder prevalent all over the world. The good news is that, it is not very difficult to cure anxiety attacks.

Anxiety is a normal emotion. But when we are so anxious about some non-existent threats that we almost feel like collapsing, it becomes panic attack. In general, anxiety reactions are formed in the subconscious mind by a small organ called Amygdala, which acts like a thermostat, regulating the anxiety responses. In ordinary circumstances the Amygdala reacts when real threats are present. When it resets at a higher level because of repeated anxiety at the time of stress, anxiety disorder symptoms set in.

As anxiety attacks are results of learning process in the subconscious mind, it can be reversed by simply teaching the subconscious mind to react to stress, imaginary or not, in appropriate manner. One should contact a medical practitioner with the acronym of Do or MD if he is suffering from the symptoms of anxiety disorder over a period of time. Medications should be taken, if prescribed by the doctor. Besides, there is some self help guidance. These should be followed regularly and diligently

Strictly speaking anxiety attack and panic attack are not same. Anxiety attacks require a stressor, like the footstep in the dark alley. The anxiety attack vanishes as soon as the stressor vanishes. Panic attacks do not depend on any stressor. It comes out of blue, builds up within ten minutes and subsides in half an hour. But within that half an hour the patient has undergone a trip to hell. He had felt that he was surely going to die or become mad or lose control over himself.

However, there are now many organizations ready to help panic sufferers. Help for panic disorder can be found in almost all major cities of the world. The treatment involves therapy, medications along with non-conventional treatments such as exercises, yoga, lifestyle changes etc. However, the most important aspect of the treatment is counseling. As I said before, to cure anxiety or panic disorder, all you have to do is to unlearn certain situational reactions. Your subconscious mind has to learn to react to stress in appropriate manner. Cognitive behavioral therapy is taken as the most helpful of all the therapies as it focuses on the thinking pattern and the behavior of the patient. It teaches you how to cope and prevent panic attacks. Please note that repeated panic attacks lead to panic disorder. So it is important to stop individual attacks.

Medications too are important aspect of the treatment. They help to control and reduce the attacks. But medicines should be prescribed by qualified medical practitioner after a thorough physical and psychological check up and should always be accompanied by therapy and exercises. Medication for anxiety attacks and panic attacks are more or less same, but the doses may vary. Antidepressants are good for anxiety attacks. But they have to be taken for a long period, not just during the bout of attacks, because they take several weeks to start actions.

Benzodiazepines, on the other hand, are quick acting drugs and taking them during the bouts of attacks help the sufferer immensely. They are however, very addictive and to avoid drug dependence, should not be taken for a long period. Of course the attending doctor should know for how long you should take the particular medicines.

Lastly, here are some self help tricks:-
    Learn about panic because the knowledge will prepare you to tackle the panic attacks effectively.
    It is wise to avoid cigarettes, coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages.
    Avoid medications containing stimulants such as diet pills and non-drowsy cold medications.
    Practice deep breathing as this prevents the imbalances of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood stream.
    Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and muscle relaxation techniques regularly.

Please remember that every thing depends on you and you alone. After all, self help is the best help.