The Panic Disorder – The Truth Behind Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety attacks are commonly known as panic attacks, although this is a somewhat over-simplified term for emotions that may dictate very drastic and sometimes, dangerous reactions.  Anxiety attacks are part of a psychological disorder often referred to clinically as a panic disorder.

The broad umbrella term of panic disorder actually refers to frequent recurring feelings of unexplained anxiety.  These sudden emotions of panic are so strong, they can actually drive a person to unreasonable erratic behavior which may or may not include anti-social behavior like isolation, self-mutilation and even suicide.  These reactions can be dangerous not just to the ones suffering from the ailment but to those around them as well which is why help for panic disorder patients is imperative as soon as possible.

Before any steps can be taken to treat someone suffering from anxiety attacks, a positive diagnosis has to be made first.  This can only be done with an experienced medical practitioner – usually a psychologist or psychiatrist.  At its earlier stage, patients would often experience a rapid heartbeat and a feeling of unexplained fear that comes out of the blue and is as much a surprise to the patient as it is to the ones they are with.  More severe cases will include physical evidence of anxiety like perspiration and dizziness.

These attacks are more of a psychological and emotional nature, meaning they are inward feelings that are not obvious to those around them unless one were to watch out for specific signs.  The emotions, however, are so strong that they manifest into physical reactions like dizziness, hyperventilation and trembling.  More serious complications can arise from such overwhelming emotions such as severe anti-social behavior like a tendency to isolation and suicidal attempts.

Help for panic disorder patients should begin as soon as it is diagnosed – if possible, even when it is suspected that he or she is suffering from anxiety attacks.  Again, off-the-counter pills and drugs are not recommended as these only provide temporary, superficial relief.  They calm the sufferer down for a short period of time and before long, another attack may come with equal or more intensity.

Medication for anxiety attacks are often prescribed after a thorough analysis and diagnosis by a practicing psychologist.  However, not all panic disorder patients are prescribed medication – anxiety attacks are believed to stem from some prior traumatic experience and in order to face and come to terms with the experience will require some amount of quality analysis.

Whatever medication that is prescribed will often be accompanied by some kind of psychotherapy.  This includes:

1.    Counseling.  The psychologist will need to delve into the patient’s life experiences and lifestyle in order to understand the triggers for such anxiety attacks.

2.    Hypnotherapy.  Also known as hypnosis, this has been proven highly effective in curing a patient from any panic disorder.  However, this procedure is done only on those who believe in hypnosis in general.

3.    Yoga and meditative sessions.  More holistic treatment includes calm-inducing exercises like yoga and Tai Chi with the intention to calm the patient down literally.  Yoga, in particular, is usually accompanied by some meditating sessions where patients are taught to live in the moment and breathe deeply.  Deep breathing encourages total blood circulation and this, in turn, will bring enough oxygen to the brain to counter any anxious tendencies.

4.    Third brain encouragement.  The Third Brain is what most holistic teachers term a perfect balance of the left and right brain.  When the Third Brain is active, a person will achieve perfect sync with his body and the universe.  By encouraging Third Brain activity, panic disorder sufferers will be able to overcome whatever anxious feelings they have rationally (left brain) and understand and accept their fears in a clear, creative concept (right brain).

The main types of medication for anxiety attacks are antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs.  These work mainly at calming down the sufferer with their sedative effects.  Both can reduce panic disorder symptoms immediately but are ineffective as a permanent recourse, after the patient becomes too used to their effects.

Help for panic disorder patients, while easily available, is often not perceived to be essential as many people still think panic disorders are not a serious medical condition.  On the contrary, untreated, anxiety attacks can lead to very serious repercussions which are dangerous to both the sufferers and those they love.