What the screaming girls probably didn’t know was that the brothers in the band had demons they had to deal with. The point is, panic attacks and anxiety disorders can happen to anyone.

People need to understand this. Not the ones who are suffering, but the ones who think it’s a fake illness or who think it’s brought on by the sufferer. This is not an act. Nobody wants to be like this.

A Panic Attack On The Oprah Show

Jonathan Knight actually had a panic attack on the show. After he left NKOTB, he hid himself away and didn’t want to get out of bed. He probably had depression, which is linked to panic.

His brother Jordan also had anxiety issues. Jordan started getting books and read up on his condition. He did the right thing. By educating yourself on your condition, it plays a big part in the recovery process.

Jordan eventually found out that his father also suffered from panic attacks. There is certainly evidence to suggest that anxiety disorders can run in families and passed on.

Panic Attacks Affect Women More Than Men

Panic attacks and panic disorder with agoraphobia tend to hit women more. Women suffer from this twice as much as men, but it can be harder for a man to have this and be accepted.

People in general will take this as a weakness in a man. They probably think it should be easier for a man to ‘get over it’. It’s a bit like crying. It’s alright if a woman cries, but REAL men don’t cry.

Panic attacks are treatable. Though it causes much anguish, the situation can be dealt with with great success. Today, there are so many methods of dealing with panic.

The obvious choice is to go to a doctor, but there are other alternative therapies available to treat panic attacks successfully. The road to wellness may not be easy, but it’s certainly worth it.

In case you’re interested in the Oprah panic attack show, click here for more. http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/tows_past_20010301.jhtml

Although the symptoms may varies from person to person, the general pattern remains unchanged: The person will feel a sudden increase in anxiety and fear that something terrible is about to happen.

Panic attack becomes a REAL problem when a person keep suffering from repeated and frequent attacks. This can seriously cripple the sufferers ability to lead a normal lifestyle.

We shall now explore the types of treatment used to overcome panic attack for such cases.

Medications

There is no real cure or medication for panic attacks. Medicine will only keep the symptoms under control and give you a well deserved break, BUT they cannot solve the real problem. If you are in need of medication, consult your doctor at once as he will be able to prescribe the correct dosage and type.

The main form of medications used for panic attacks are antidepressants, SSRIs (newest type of antidepressants), anti-anxiety drugs and beta-blockers.

Often, people believe that the doctor have “failed” in their treatment when the medicine did not work for them when, in fact, it was not given enough time or administered correctly. Understand that sometimes, sufferers may need to experiment a few drugs before finding the one that works well for them. Hence, do not hold off seeing your doctor again because of this issue.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive therapy have been proven to be extremely effective in treating panic attacks relatively quickly. This form of therapy focuses on your thoughts and the way you behave. You and your therapist will work together to find out the root of your fears and learn how to overcome it.

For example, you will learn that panic attack CANNOT cause a heart attacks and learn how to overcome this misconception. You will also be taught exposure techniques to desensitize yourself to situations that trigger your panic attacks.

More importantly, success would mean gaining the ability to cope with and overcome panic permanently.

The most commonly prescribed panic attack medication is one of the various forms of antidepressants. These medications help to keep your anxiety and stress levels down to a manageable level. They also help with any depression conditions you may have, which is not uncommon in anxiety disorder patients. There is a chemical imbalance in your brain that is responsible for the magnified effects of everyday stresses. Two main neurotransmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine) are related to your mood, and these are the chemicals targeted by antidepressants.

While most antidepressants work by correcting the levels of these neurotransmitters in your brain, how they go about it can be completely different from product to product. The panic attack medications Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac are all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan are all a class of antidepressant called benzodiazapines. Norpramin, Anafranil, and Tofranil are tricyclic antidepressants. Parnate and Nardil are both monomine oxidase inhibitors. These last two types are prescribed much more rarely nowadays than the first two classifications of antidepressant. Knowing what type of antidepressant you are currently taking is very important, as some other medications, even over-the-counter ones, can react badly with certain classes of antidepressant. Always ask your doctor about any possible drug interactions.

All of these panic attack medications, while usually quite effective, can have some unpleasant side effects. Usually these side effects are most pronounced if your dosage is too high, they can occur at any dosage. The more common side effects of antidepressants include: dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, blurred vision, sexual problems, nausea, heart palpitations, racing heart, weight gain, nightmares, insomnia, and nervousness. While some of these side effects may be better than having panic attacks, if they are too much they can cause more stress than the medications relieve. If at any time you feel that the side effects are just too much, you should discuss changing your medication with your doctor.

Remember, everyone is different. All medication do not effect everybody the same way. What works for one person may not work for you, and it can take time and effort to find the panic attack medications that work best for you. Your doctor may have to change your panic attack medication several times, but with so many different antidepressant and dosages available to try odds are good that you will find the medications that work for you. And once you have found the panic attack medications that best control your symptoms, don’t stop taking them just because you are feeling better. The medicines just deal with the symptoms, they are not a final cure for your panic disorder.

An attack can last from a few seconds to a number of hours.It is thought that the average time an attack lasts is a few minutes. The duration of the attack will depend upon your current mood, state of mind, surrounding environment and your abilities to cope up with the attack. If you are feeling particularly positive about life and everything seems to be going well, then the chances are you will not go through as bad an attack as if you things were not going well at that time.

It also depends upon how you deal with it. Many people have learned how to deal with their anxiety quickly before it gets to the stage of a full blown attack, while others haven’t and therefore normally feel the full force of a panic attack. The earlier you recognize the symptoms of anxiety within yourself and the build up to an attack, the better equipped you will be to handle it. One of the keys to successfully eliminating your panic attacks for good is to understand your particular triggers so that when they happen you can take swift action to make sure things do not escalate to a full blown panic attack.

It often helps to focus on staying calm. One of the first things to try and program into your head is that this is just temporary and it will pass eventually and normally very quickly. So you must stay calm and practice deep breathing when you feel anxious and nervous. When things get really severe a doctor can often prescribe some form of medication that will help you to remain calm; however, in the long run it might be better to learn ways of dealing with your anxiety without the need for medication.

One of the key things you should learn how to do is the distract yourself from the cause of the anxiety and focus on something else.

Some cases involve people suffering with an attack for a considerable amount of time where as other cases involve people only enduring one for just a few seconds. Yet, you should take heart in the fact that many people manage to get rid of their panic attacks for good.

There are are a few very well known panic attack cures that have been used by tens of thousands of people all over the World with great success, so don’t give up on finding a cure for your attacks.Overcoming the debilitating effects of panic and anxiety attacks is something that has been achieved by thousands of people around the World.

If you are in fear of having another Panic Attack, you will probably start to avoid going or doing things that you might think will give you another one.  These are usually the activities and places where you have had Panic Attacks in the past.

This fear can limit your entire life.  It will have an effect on your personal life, your family, friends, marriage, work, etc.  This fear has a spiraling effect, the more isolated you feel, the more stressed and depressed you get, and the more you will have Panic Attacks.  This is not something you want to fall into.  If at all possible, Panic Attacks should be stopped and controlled before you get to this point, making your recovery that much easier.

In very severe cases, you can become homebound and unable to function.  The fear of the Panic Attack will start to dominate your life.

What this fear will do is start you to avoiding things.  For example, if you believe you will have a heart attack if you over exert yourself, you will avoid anything that makes your heart beat fast, such as running, sports, exercising or walking up steps.  This type of behavior just keeps getting worse and worse and if put into the situation where your heartbeat speeds up, you will give yourself another Panic Attack.

 

There are two common thoughts of how to change this type of behavior.  One is called “flooding” and the other is called “desensitization”. 

 
Flooding is where you will throw yourself headfirst into what you fear. 

 
Desensitization is where you take steady and gradual steps towards overcoming your fear.  For example, if you were afraid of having a heart attack during exercise, you would probably do the following.  The first day, you would take a short walk, the next day, a longer walk and so on and so forth.

Fear of Panic Attacks can seem like it is incurable, but, if you find the right technique, fear can be overcome and you can be cured of Panic Attacks.

For this reason, it’s best to see a cardiologist just to rule out everything as far as your heart is concerned before deciding that it is solely due to the panic attack.

Panic Attacks Love To Imitate Other Conditions

Panic attacks can be confusing as well as being frightening. When it’s just started, the confusion is caused by the fact that panic attacks mimic serious conditions.

For example, if you start getting dizzy regularly, you think it could be caused by your brain or ear. Sometimes it affects the chest, so you may wonder why you have breathing difficulties or tightness in your chest.

This is why nearly everyone rushes to emergency, only to be told everything is normal. “WHAT? NORMAL? HOW IS THIS NORMAL?” Naturally, this is confusing. It’s also worrying, because it doesn’t go away.

If you have a chest flutter as well as panic attacks, make sure you can eliminate the possibility of an underlying heart problem. Once this is done, then you can safely say it’s due to the panic attacks.

You may have to have blood tests to make sure there isn’t a thyroid problem as this could cause an irregular heart rhythm. You may also be required to wear a heart monitor to record your heart rhythm.

Panic Attacks Are Treatable

Don’t worry about the panic attacks. They can be treated pretty effectively. If the chest flutter is connected, then it should reduce or even go away as well.

There is no doubt that a chest flutter can be due to panic attacks. If a panic attack and chest flutter link can safely be established, then you need to treat only one condition.

If not, you’ll have to address them both. Make sure to tell your doctors all the medications you are taking. This will be helpful in getting the best care that you deserve.

1. Reasons to Take Medication for Panic Attacks

Medication for panic attacks is used to obtain relief from symptoms and also to enable patients to derive the benefits of other types of therapy. Most anxiety disorders are incurable; so, drugs serve only as a means to reduce the suffering caused by them. They can also help avoid any future complications that might require long-term medication.

Doctors commonly precribe drugs such as Valium and Zoloft for instant relief from symptoms of anxiety disorder. These drugs can considerably reduce the stress experienced by a person due to these symptoms.

Sometimes, anti-depressants can also be used along with anti-anxiety medication because both work hand in hand in controlling and reducing symptoms of anxiety disorder. The drugs, however, are used sparingly because they can be addictive.

2. Other Ways to Treat Panic Attacks

While medication for panic attacks helps give instant relief from the symptoms of the condition, it is not the only method available for a person suffering from panic attacks. Often, a lasting solution that does not require the taking of medication is preferable.

Fortunately, a person suffering from panic attacks has a number of options to choose from. Your treatment plan depends on your medical history and the exact nature of the problem you are suffering from.

You can choose from the following types of treatment.

3. Individual Psychotherapy

This therapy can be of great help to a person suffering from anxiety disorders. Even if the problem is triggered by chemical imbalances in the brain, it can help people cope with their condition without taking any drugs.

4. Group therapy

Group treatment is not always recommended, but it is very helpful. Patients suffering from phobias, especially, gain a lot of relief when they find out that they are not the lone sufferers. Even in case of panic disorders, the support of a group can be of great help.

5. Relaxation Techniques

Techniques such as self-hypnosis and deep breathing can be of great help in eliminating anxiety disorders including panic attacks, irrespective of whether they are done during group therapy or as an individual effort. These methods are the precise tools that people require in order to get back to a normal, productive life.

Most people are afraid to consider the use of medication for panic attacks. But, they can at least provide short-term relief by reducing stress and anxiety. This, in turn, helps you successfully pursue other treatments that might provide long-term relief from panic attacks.

Psychological and physical symptoms are typical experiences behind the disorder. How a person shows their symptoms can vary from some to all.

Panic attacks begin from the psychological symptoms. When the person goes into the anxiety state, they start to think and feel certain ways. They start off by worrying; have fears, dread and overall anxiety about a certain situations.

Sometimes, they feel as if they will die due to a fear of the situation. Sometimes, the panic attack can paralyze someone from thinking, pausing them in their steps. The fear is so strong it overwhelms the person into reacting into a physical state beyond the psychological state.

Part of the reason people begin feeling the physical symptoms and signs is that the panic attacks go throughout the body which want it to either fight or flight. If a person is faced with a panic induced situation, the body wants to fight to overcome it or flee from the bad place. This is the part that is psychological. From the symptoms of panic attacks make it anxiety worse, possibly even bigger than it should be.

Example: Think of yourself in a major car accident. You are seriously injured and have to recover in a hospital and take time off of work to heal. Yet, you heal and get better. But…you are afraid to be in a car or perhaps behind the wheel. Afraid the accident may occur once again. You see the accident occurring time and again and it makes you feel out of control. This is a panic attack.

Panic Attack Signs and Symptoms –

* Heart beats faster
* Heart palpitations
* Tightening in the chest that feels like a heart attack.(This is normal of a terrifying situation.)
* Stomach upset
* Diarrhea
* Headache
* Nausea

Neurological Symptoms of Panic Attacks – this can make you feel like you are having a seizure.
* Twitches
* Jitters
* Other movements that are involuntary

The body goes through internal temperature shifts, causing chills or hot flashes.

Nearly everyone experiences at least one of these symptoms of panic attacks. Peak times are between ten minutes and can last up to thirty minutes.

Should a person circumvent and control the psychological symptoms, then you can stave off the physical ones. However, if it seems this not possible, then seeking medical help is necessary so the attacks do not get worse and interrupt the person’s life completely. By learning coping techniques and working with the doctor, it is possible to eliminate the attacks and live life again.

The only way for a person to overcome these attacks is to push their limits, which make treatment of agoraphobia panic attack difficult. Before getting better many agoraphobics tend to get worse for this reason. Since all an individual has to do is stay within their “safe” zone they tend to ignore their agoraphobic problem. However, while the problem can be easy to ignore it is a stifling symptom that comes from a chronic panic disorder.

Begin With Baby Steps

Starting by taking baby steps is the best way a person can slow their agoraphobia panic attacks. In order to finally master their fears the individual must set specific goals to overcome their panic attacks. Family and friends are the best people to help a person through this process, they can help a person be assured to their safety while helping them make the baby steps to overcome their panic attacks.

Why the panic attacks manifest in their form and what causes them isn’t completely known. It is believed that many of the individuals who suffer from this disorder experienced motion sickness which gave them a propensity for fear of travel before they started developing panic attacks.

The Unknown

To the sufferer themselves an agoraphobia panic attack is very frustrating. This is because an agoraphobic attack is often less rational than the typical panic attacks. While the individual may have a fear to traveling to an unknown place or beyond a certain point, agoraphobia can be caused by any type of anxiety or panic disorders that takes root and leads to agoraphobia.

A fear of public places, especially those where there is a large gathering of people such as a grocery store can develop from a social anxiety. An individual who suffers from general panic disorders can become embarrassed of their disorder which can then cause a fear of traveling and suffering a panic attack in public. This shows that with an agoraphobia panic attack it is difficult to identify and deal with it.

A panic attack is a sudden, out of the blue feeling of extreme fear and discomfort. It comes most unexpectedly and without any warning and you can feel your heart beating fast, feel dizzy, breathless, choked or as if you are going crazy or going to die.

What is Panic Disorder?

A person is diagnosed as having panic disorder if he has recurrent episodes of panic attacks and develops a fear of having another attack. Many times the patient will convince himself/herself so fervently that they are dying that many sufferers often feel the need to go to the emergency room and get tested. Even though this disorder is easily as well as successfully treatable, if it is not diagnosed it can become very debilitating to the individual.

Learn more on Panic Attacks and Panic Disorders

Panic disorder strikes between 3 and 6 million Americans, and is twice as common in women as in men. It can appear at any age in children or in the elderly but most often it begins in young adults.

Symptoms of a Panic Attack

In a panic attack symptoms develop abruptly and usually reach their peak within 10 minutes. Some of the common symptoms include:

a) Palpitations

b) Sweating

c) Trembling

d) Shortness of breath

e) Chest pain or discomfort

f) Nausea

g) Dizziness

h) Fear of losing control

i) Fear of dying

Treatment for Panic Disorder

Panic disorder often responds to treatment with medication, therapy, or a combination of both.

Cognitive/behavioral therapy is a relatively new treatment for panic that has been shown to be successful. Instead of using old-fashioned analysis-based techniques, therapists employing new CBT methods focus on the present panic — and how to eliminate it.

People who experience panic are not “crazy” and do not need to be in therapy for extended periods of time.

Some people find the greatest relief from panic disorder symptoms when they take certain prescription medications.Two types of medications that have been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of panic disorder are Antidepressants and Benzodiazepines.

In addition, people with panic disorder may need treatment for other emotional problems. Depression has often been associated with panic disorder, as have alcohol and drug abuse.

Click Here for more information on Anxiety Attack Cures

What Causes Panic Disorder?

There are several theories about the causes of panic disorder and since every individual has a different predisposition, zeroing in on a specific cause can be quite an arduous task. Although treatable, this disorder can be very devastating and debilitating to the person if it goes untreated and may result in specific phobias like fear of driving the car or fear of leaving the house. It can result in the loss of a job or even relationship problems.

Fortunately, even with this disorder’s rather undefined nature of causality, there is much treatment available that has helped majority of people suffering from panic disorder to cope with this problem.

Cathy M. Ross