Tag Archives: Panic disorder

Different Types of Anxiety Disorders

Posted by on February 6, 2012 No comments

scared anxiousAnxiety is a common occurrence when a person faces potentially problematic or dangerous situations. It is also felt when a person perceives an external threat. However, chronic and irrational anxiety can lead to a form of anxiety disorder. There are different types of anxiety disorder depending on their causes or triggers.

Common forms of anxiety disorders

Generalized anxiety disorder

A person who has this type of anxiety disorder usually experience prolonged anxiety that is often without basis. More accurately, people with generalized anxiety disorders cannot articulate the reason behind their anxiety. This type of anxiety usually last for six months and often affect women.  Due to the persistence of the anxiety, people affected with generalized anxiety disorder constantly fret and worry. This results to heart palpitations, insomnia, headaches, and dizzy spells.

Specific phobia

Unlike someone with generalized anxiety disorder, a person who has a specific phobia experiences  extreme and often irrational fear of a certain situation or object. When exposed to the object or situation they fear, people with specific phobias exhibit signs of intense fear like shaking, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and nausea. Common specific phobias include fear of heights, enclosed spaces, blood, and animals. The fear a person with phobia feels can be so extreme that he or she may disregard safety just to escape the situation.

Panic disorder

Also known as Agoraphobia, panic disorders are characterized by recurring panic attacks which are often unexpected. Symptoms are usually shaking, chest pains, dizziness, fear of losing control, and reluctance of being alone. People with panic disorder are aware that their panic is usually unfounded  and illogical. This is why they avoid public situations and being alone. A panic attack can be so severe that people may lose control and hurt themselves.

Social phobia

Alternatively called social anxiety, a person with social phobia may exhibit similar symptoms like those of panic disorder especially in social situations. Shaking, dizziness, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations may ensue when a person with social phobia finds his or herself at the center of attention or in the company of many people, regardless whether they are strangers or not.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder experience anxiety caused by a persistent obsession or idea. They tend to avoid experiencing anxiety by resorting to repetitive actions or behaviors that prevent anxiety. For example, a person who is obsessed about cleanliness may experience anxiety at the mere sight of a vase placed slightly off-center. To prevent anxiety, he or she will clean and organize everything compulsively or without reason.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder may occur after a person experienced a severely traumatic event. He or she may relive the experience in his or her mind which causes stress and anxiety. If a person with PTSD comes into contact with stimuli (any object, person, or situation) that he or she associates with the traumatic event, he or she may literally re-experience the event by crying uncontrollably, panicking, or losing control. Subtler symptoms include insomnia and avoidant behavior. PTSD may manifest itself immediately after the traumatic event or even years after.

Determining the type of anxiety disorder a person has is crucial to seeking treatment and recovery.  Techniques and methods that are used to help a person cope with a certain anxiety usually target not only the management of symptoms but coping mechanisms when exposed to triggers. Only after thorough diagnosis can treatment and recovery for anxiety disorders really commence.

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Panic Attack Triggers

Posted by on November 6, 2011 No comments

Sometimes panic attacks seem to come right out of the blue. It is as if nothing has happened but suddenlyTeenage Girl in Elevator our life has changed because now instead of living normally we are overwhelmed by anxiety and panic. When this happens it is the center point of our existence because we have all we can do to simply live through this period of time as we hope and try to gather all strength together to try to get through it.

When panic strikes, it is often in response to some little event or even a mere thought that triggers its onset. These little events or mere thoughts are what we refer to as panic attack triggers. Often it is a physical sensation, such as a quick pain, especially if it is to the head or chest region that provides the trigger.

Of course, pains to head and the chest should be checked out by a medical professional. What we’re talking about here is a situation where you have already found out what you are experiencing is panic and not a different medical issue such as migraines or heart problems.

Other than true physical feelings, another thing that often times provides a panic attract trigger is a very unpleasant thought like “what if this elevator door doesn’t open?”

Panic attack triggers simply start the panic ball rolling. These triggers are what start the adrenaline shooting through every part of our body. Adrenaline, in turn, brings on more feelings and thoughts that provide triggers to more panic. As this occurs, an even heavier dosage of panic gets added into the bloodstream!

One school of thought is; if we can avoid panic attack triggers we can avoid panic attacks. This way of thinking, while it seems reasonable, actually presents a bigger problem. This is due to the fact that if we try to avoid situations which bring on certain thoughts, like the one about the elevator door not opening, we will actually be creating more problems for ourselves. In other words, we will be bringing about more obstacles to a happy existence.

In order to prevent panic attacks we should actually learn to live through the triggers that tended to provided us with panic attacks in the past. In other words, certain places or situations that bring on panic should not be avoided. Also, though it may seem somewhat ironic, we should actually think about things that usually bring on panic attacks and make these thoughts so commonplace that they no longer carry with them the fear of the unknown.

While this is a very simplified version of a lesson in avoiding panic attacks, it has the basic elements that need understand in order to be successful in fending off panic and overcoming anxiety altogether. These basic elements are:

  • Learn not to shy away from panic attack triggers
  • Be as relaxed as you can without trying to force relaxation
  • Know that millions of people have gone through the same thing you’re going through now
  • Understand that while you are in the recovery phase, panic attacks will come from time to time but they will be less and less severe if you don’t try to fight them off or run from them
  • Make sure to live your life as normal as possible and go through the motions the best you can even if you feel you are unable to give it your all.

It is true you may not be able to do everything you can when you’re feeling well. For instance, by all means, don’t drive a car if you feel you’re unable to and don’t push yourself too hard. Just accept the fact you will get better if you let your panic attack disorder run its course.

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Panic Attacks and Agoraphobia

Posted by on January 16, 2010 No comments

Panic attacks and agoraphobia are intertwined.  Here’s how:  Look in the dictionary and it will tell you the definition ofStay at Home agoraphobia is “fear of the marketplace.”  Clinically speaking agoraphobia is a condition that makes people afraid to leave home. There are different degrees of this condition and so, many times people suffering from are it simply afraid to visit some places.

Actually, most cases of agoraphobia start with the sufferer being afraid to go one place in particular.  After a while they will fear visiting another spot.  Before long they fear other places and in time they fear visiting the world outside their homes altogether.

Agoraphobia does not exist on its own.  It needs panic attacks to survive.   The simple fact is, agoraphobia is not possible without panic because one who fears leaving home actually experiences panic when leaving home. Simple fear does not impel one to stay at home for the rest of his life.

Panic and Agoraphobia

There is no doubt anxiety panic disorder is part of the condition we know as agoraphobia.  If panic attacks are absent, agoraphobia will not be present either. Clearly, the cure to agoraphobia lies in curing panic attack syndrome.

The first panic attack most people have comes unexpectedly and suddenly.  The sufferer of a panic attack will always seem to blame the place the attack occurred on the fact it did occur.  So, logically, he will not want to return to this place.

Unfortunately, a sufferer of anxiety is liable to have a panic attack anywhere and so, if the panic attack was anything other than just a rare isolated incident, the patient will have another one in a another place and he will then add this place to those he will no longer visit.

Fear of Panic Occurring at a Particular Event

In reality, it is not always places the panic attack sufferer associates with his panic attacks.  It sometimes is certain events he will blame the attack on.  Certain church ceremonies, such as weddings may be associated with panic.  Also, sometimes it is parties, traffic jams, concerts or any other type of an event.   It doesn’t really matter because in the sufferer’s mind the solution is to stay home.

The symptoms of panic attack are very harrowing to the person having them.   These symptoms are feelings that mock very serious events like heart attacks and strokes.    It is only normal to try to stave off such feelings.   Certainly, if avoiding certain events would do it, it would seem reasonable to stay away from them!  However, ot would not be a cure.

The bottom line is curing agoraphobia entails the sufferer visiting those places where he suffered panic attacks.  The cure to panic attacks entails the sufferer of them actually inviting these attacks to occur without trying to avoid them in any way shape or form.  Panic thrives on fear and when we decide we will not fear them, they will cease to exist.  Then, with panic no longer present in one’s life, agoraphobia will wither on the vine. 

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What is the Connection Between Panic and Agoraphobia

Posted by on December 29, 2009 No comments

Agoraphobia is defined as fear of the market place. Actually this nervous illness makes people unable toAlone at Home go anywhere outside the home. It is also said to be a phobia of leaving the home.  It is true some cases of agoraphobia keep patients locked up in their homes, other less severe cases cause them to be afraid to venture out to a select few.
 
 Panic attacks are the nourishment agoraphobia lives on. Without panic, this nervous illness cannot sustain itself. So, it can be said agoraphobia is a symptom of panic attack disorder and panic attack disorder is a symptom of anxiety.  Agoraphobia, panic and anxiety are of course, all closely related.  Given enough time, anxiety causesc panic.  Given more time panic may cause agoraphobia. 
 
It is important to note, “fear of the marketplace” is really panic of the marketplace. The radical decision to stay inside one’s home day in and day out is motivated by the patient’s want to avoid panic attack. 

There is no way to look at a case of agoraphobia without seeing anxiety panic disorder.  Agoraphobia is fed by panic. Without panic attacks, it will starve. Agoraphobia will not be cured when panic disorder is present.

The first panic attack is always a surprise and a mystery. Agoraphobia is born when the sufferer of a panic attack associates its horror with the place where it occurred.

Unfortunately, a sufferer of anxiety is liable to have a panic attack anywhere and so, if the panic attack was anything other than just a rare isolated incident, the patient will have another one in a another place and he will then add this place do those he will no longer visit.

In reality, it is not always places the panic attack sufferer associates with his panic attacks. It sometimes is certain events he will blame the attack on.   It doesn’t really matter if it is events or places he is tying to avoid because the way to avoid either one of these things is to refuse to go out of the home.

The symptoms of panic attack are very harrowing to the person having them. These symptoms are feelings that mock very serious events like heart attacks and strokes. It is only normal to try to stave off such feelings. Certainly, if avoiding places and events would do it, it would seem reasonable to stay away from them!

The bottom line is curing agoraphobia entails the sufferer visiting those places where he suffered panic attacks. The cure to panic attacks entails the sufferer of them actually inviting these attacks to occur without trying to avoid them in any way shape or form. Panic attacks thrive on fear and when we decide we will not fear them, they will cease to exist. Then, with panic no longer present in one’s life, agoraphobia’ demise will shortly thereafter follow.

 

 

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Symptom of Anxiety

Posted by on December 10, 2009 No comments

There are a wide variety of symptoms of panic.  One of the reasons panic’s symptoms vary is because there are extreme differences in the potential severity of anxiety.  Anxiety can be a mild nervousness, a raging panic attack or many different degrees of anxiety in between these two extremes.  Besides this fact, there are many different types of anxieties.  Some of these are:

  • Performance Anxiety – A condition where a person is unable to make speeches or cannot function under pressure while participating in a participation sport.
  • Test Anxiety – A similar condition where a person fails tests in school, even though he or she is adequately familiar with the content of the test.
  • Separation Anxiety – When a person, often a child cannot stand to be left alone.
  • Anxiety or Panic Disorder – Where a person experiences spell of intense panic when there is no external reason to be in a state of panic.

Though these conditions seem to run the gamut of a wide variety of situations, often times self-helpReadeing for Self Help treatments can be very beneficial and maybe even sufficient to start to bring about a cure to each one. A couple of self help treatments that can be very beneficial to anxiety and panic sufferers are reading an excellent psychology book, such as “Psycho-Cybernetics or partaking in progressive relaxation.  First however, we must make this disclaimer:

Panic attacks will sometimes make the sufferer feel as if he or she is experiencing a heart attack or a stroke. It is important a person suffering from this condition gets a clean bill of health from a doctor before assuming the panic has brought on these common mock heart attack or stroke symptoms. Once the patient’s health is no longer in question, he or she should no longer pay any attention to these false symptoms while under the influence of the adrenaline brought on by the panic attack.

Though ignoring anxiety’s symptoms is difficult when one’s nerves are sensitized, doing so is key to putting an end to panic attacks.  One technique many people have used to start down the road to desensitizing their nerves is progressive relaxation.

There are three stages to progressive relaxation exercises. First, the anxiety sufferer lies down or relaxes in an easy chair. Once comfortable, the patient instructs the major body parts to relax. This is accomplished by instructing the body starting at the bottom and moving to the top. In other words, “feet relax, legs relax, lower legs and buttocks relax,” etc. This is continued right up to the head and in this way some degree of relaxation is accomplished.

In the second stage, the patient becomes aware of the breathing, which should be slower than normal but comfortable. He or she should pay no attention to any outside noises but only tune into this slow, comfortable breathing.

After a few minutes, the patient should think of some relaxing time or scene he or she has experienced some time in the past, or if no peaceful scene from the past can be thought of, the patient should make one up. The key is to use the imagination and the breathing to be drawn into a peaceful state of mind.

Finally, the patient should imagine him or herself acting in a way that would be his or her ideal. For instance, the test anxiety sufferer should imagine being calm and confident while taking a test. The panic sufferer should imagine dismissing any hint of panic and continuing on through the day undisturbed.

While this may seem too simple to give any real results, I used this method when I suffered frequent severe panic attacks and it was what got me to turn the corner and head toward complete recovery. So, I know it works, but there is one more key to a successful recovery.

An anxiety sufferer needs to recognize the fact he or she is suffering from anxiety disorder and needs to acknowledge it will only leave after the body’s overly sensitized adrenaline system becomes healed. This can only happen on its own timetable and will only happen after the patient realizes that no amount of fighting the condition or trying to run away from it will help. However, acceptance together with time will heal panic attack anxiety.

The key is to use relaxation and recall relaxed feelings throughout the day. Then, live through anxieties symptoms, paying them as little attention as possible. A complete recovery will come soon after this acceptance takes hold.

Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia

Posted by on November 1, 2009 1 comment

Panic disorder with agoraphobia is a fairly common type of anxiety disorder.  Normally, the anxious person starts by developing a relatively mild anxiety disorder.  Next, anxiety’s fears work their way into the sufferer’s life far enough that he starts to experience panic attacks.

Panic attacks usually come out of nowhere and are totally unexpected.  This is especially true of the first few attacks.  After that, their horror brings the sufferer to the point where he is always on the lookout for them.  He is always anticipating when the next one will occur and where he will be when it occurs.  It is being on the lookout for panic attacks that often creates them.  If the sufferer didn’t fear them he woulodn’t be looking out for them.  Being fearful welcomes panic. 

Naturally, because of his great fear of these panic attacks, he will avoid doing things he believes causes their comingSeattle and he avoids places he feels will bring them on.  Of course, there is no sense in doing these things but a panic attack sufferer is so intent upon avoiding panic attacks, he will do anything to stave them off; even if the things he is doing to try to stave them off are illogical or even unadvised.

Agoraphobia is an anxiety driven illness where the sufferer avoids going to certain places because he fears this place will bring on a panic attack.  When let to go on indefinitely, the agoraphobia sufferer will never leave his home because eventually he will fear visiting anywhere because of the possibility all places outside his home will bring on a panic attack.

This is a common progression for agoraphobia.  In technical terms, agoraphobia means “fear of the marketplace.”  However, agoraphobia describes a condition where a person tries to beat panic by avoiding certain places.

To unwind the progression that leads to agoraphobia, the patient must learn it is trying to avoid panic that is making his life so unbearable.  So, it follows the key to the curing the panic attacks is to take a few panic attacks right on the chin, so to speak.  In fact, the sufferer should let the panic come to him without trying to dodge it.

After that, he can actually go to places he feels will bring on a panic attack.  By doing this he will be chasing after panic and as he does, he will actually be chasing panic away!

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Anxiety Illness

Posted by on August 17, 2009 2 comments

Anxiety illness is a condition where anxiety and/or anxiety panic disorder affects a person so much it alters his or her lifestyle.  Everybody experiences anxiety or ordinary nervousness.  Even when these are not so mild, they do not riseIllness
 to the level of illness if they do not be come chronic or habitual.

The term anxiety illness usually refers to anxiety disorder.  A disorder changes the way a person lives his or her life.  Anxiety disoder does this because anxiety, or panic attacks can be unbearable.  They render the sufferer incapable of dealing with anything other than the attack while they are present.

Sometimes anxiety illness can lead to reclusiveness or agoraphobia. 

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Causes of Panic Attacks

Posted by on May 12, 2009 No comments

In a nutshell, the causes of panic attacks are an inordinate amount of adrenaline flowing through the bloodstream when large amounts of adrenaline flow are not warranted.  It is no more complicated than that.  Adrenaline flow occurs when a person is nervous for any reason.  No one can stop him/herself from becoming nervous from time to Ducks #5time.  What can be controlled is our reaction to the feelings this nervousness brings.

If we run away from these feelings or try to bury them, we could build ordinary nervousness into a panic attack.  As the saying goes, go with  the flow.  This is the main key to defeating panic attacks.

The reason the nervousness starts in the first place could be due to some deep seated cause, but knowing what that deep seated cause is, is not necessary to effect a cure for, or defeat anxiety panic disorder.

While overcoming panic disorder completely can take some time and practice, not responding to adrenaline’s feelings is the key to successfully completing this mission.  Like water off a duck’s back is how we should deal with any stimuli adrenaline throws at us.

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