End Panic Attacks With Exercise

Panic attacks are described as fear or panic that disrupts normal day to day living. It is one of the anxiety disorders prevalent and recognized today. Chronic stress and external problems such as financial pressures or marital stress can trigger and lead to panic attacks.

You can end panic attacks by managing your stress properly. You can also stop panic attack by taking prescribed medicines to reduce your stress levels. Both these strategies need to be combined to treat panic disorders most effectively. To reduce stress maintain a stress journal, exercise regularly, eat moderately, and get more organized. Once you are more organized your time management will become more efficient and your stress levels will reduce. Adopt healthy habits and have a sense of purpose in life – be it succeeding in your careers or bring up healthy and good children. Also sleep is essential to reduce stress levels.

Unlike a normal bout of panic, in the case of panic disorder each bout lasts at least for 10 minutes. During a panic attack, the fear response is out of proportion to the situation, which often is not threatening. Over time, a person with panic disorder develops a constant fear of having another panic attack, which can affect daily functioning and general quality of life. This constant fear is characteristic of a person suffering from a panic disorder.

Symptoms of a panic attack include difficulty in breathing, a pounding heart or chest pain, an intense feeling of terror, sensation of choking or smothering, dizziness or feeling faint, trembling or shaking, sweating, nausea or stomachache, tingling or numbness in the fingers and toes, chills or hot flashes, and a fear that one is losing control or is about to die.

As is clear these symptoms can interfere with normal life. To avoid these symptoms apart from reducing stress levels through exercise and other lifestyle modifications one should also take prescribed medicines. The most commonly prescribed medicines are Paxil and Zoloft as well as anti-anxiety medicines such as Xanax and Klonopin.

However, it should be stressed that counseling is an essential part of the treatment and should be taken seriously by the patient. The cognitive therapy used by psychiatrists is also very useful. The medicines should be taken in conjunction with the psychiatric therapy and counseling.

Lifestyle modification to reduce stress levels is a must to combat panic attacks. However this is easier said than done and the patient needs a supportive environment to change her lifestyle and lead a stress free life. Deep breathing techniques and structured programs such as yoga and Tai Chi can also be considered to reduce stress levels.

Learning to lead a simple and minimalistic life free from stress is not easy and has to be acquired over time.

People suffering from panic disorder might try to avoid situations that seem to trigger the panic response in them. This prevents them from leading a normal life as they avoid many day to day situations. Relaxation techniques and positive visualization techniques can help them overcome this problem.

The patient has to regain her confidence that such attacks will no longer occur because of the medicines and treatment that she is undergoing and taking. This will help her face the situations in life better.

To avoid panic attacks one should also avoid foods such as tea and coffee that contain caffeine. Caffeine triggers panic attacks and stress and is best avoided by those suffering from panic attack disorder.

Another point to remember when taking medicines is that the dose has to be reduced gradually. You cannot stop taking the medicines abruptly as this will lead to withdrawal symptoms. So take care to consult your medical practioner before you start taking and when you stop taking these medicines.

The best defense against panic disorders is to exercise regularly and make time for hobbies and other activities that you love. Also, ensure that you spend time with your loved ones everyday if possible. Use the phone and the Net to communicate with your loved ones regularly. This will help reduce your stress levels – and this is key to preventing a panic attack. Ensure that you get adequate sleep as well. Learn time management techniques and look up the Web for ideas to simplify your life.