-Chest and stomach pain or discomfort
-Hyperventilation
-Feeling of being smothered or choking
-Dizziness and nausea
-Sweating
-Depersonalization
Symptoms are frightening, however, they are not harmful. The only reason the symptoms become present is because for some reason the mind is imaging some kind of danger. Knowing and realizing that panic attacks can not harm you will help you with better utilizing the techniques that it takes to help stop and eliminate them.
Knowing what is actually causing and or triggering these attacks is the first step in combating them. Most symptoms are present due to stress or some type of an event in your life. Some of the causes can be:
-Traumatic events in the past
-Genetic or hereditary – being a family history of anxiety disorders
-Medical – mostly with heart problems
-Substance abuse and withdrawal
-Phobias – extreme fear of certain events or objects
Once you learn what triggers your panic attacks you will be able to learn how to stop the panic attacks and how to stop anxiety attacks too. There are many techniques out there that may be used. However, some of the most effective methods are these:
- Learning relaxation techniques will help you to remain in control during the panic attack
- Seeking professional help such as counseling or therapy will help stop the attacks. One of the most successful therapies for panic or anxiety attacks is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In this type of therapy the therapist specifically helps you to identify the triggers for the attack and then helps you to work on what you will need to do to deal with the triggers so the attacks will stop.
- In some extreme cases, medication may be used. However, it should only be used under the care of a physician since medication can have some side effects that might increase the attacks rather than reduce them.
Keeping a positive approach towards dealing with the attacks will help you to control them and possibly eliminate them all together. Panic attacks can be avoided and are curable. One of the keys to breaking the fear of a panic attack is to stop thinking about them. Accept the fact that your life really isn’t in any danger. Once you have accepted that they are not harmful then you can learn how to control your thoughts as well as the attack itself.