Thursday, December 31, 2009

Have You Ever Asked "Are Panic Attacks Dangerous?"


One of the questions people ask "Are panic attacks dangerous?" The answer basically is "No!" I say basically because people generally are worried that panic attacks can diminish their health by causing a heart attack or causing something else horrific to happen. On the short haul, the answer is no. The effects of stress caused by multiple attacks over time might be something that needs to be addressed.

The most pressing problem with a panic attack is that they scare the daylights out of you when they are happening. Even though I haven't had one in a long time, I did suffer my first panic attack that started in a dream while I was asleep. I was with a group of people and someone with a gun walked in and shot me twice. As I was falling to the floor, I woke up. My heart rate was about 150 beats per minute, double the normal rate. That scared me right there and probably made things worse.

Generally, panic attacks last about 30 minutes and then they are gone. Not so, with my first one. It lasted 3 hours and me trying not to have screaming fits and running out the front door in fear the whole time. I was terrified I was going to have a heart attack, however, thankfully it did not happen. And, apparently, it won't from the usual circumstances connected with panic attacks. You just deal with the effects of stress brought on by the attack: the rapid heartbeat and the fear.

Are panic attacks dangerous? "No!" However, if you were undergoing one and someone told you you'd be all right, you would probably be tempted to grab them by the throat, shake them until their head fell off and scream at them the entire time "I'm dying." That really isn't true, but, honey, it feels so real at the time. That is one of the things that makes a panic attack so scary.

If you ever suffer a panic attack, close your eyes and start deep breathing. Try to relax. It should back off in 30 minutes or less. The scariest part of these panic attacks is the rapid heartbeat that just won't slow down. It will eventually. It just doesn't seem like it will at the time.

I have found one thing that does seem to slow down the heartbeat, at least for me. I roll or massage my feet. A massage roller with grooves seems to work well in that regard especially on the bottom of the left foot where the acupressure points for the heart are located. These points are a little to the outside of the foot behind the thick pad located behind the toes. You can use a roller, tennis ball or golf ball if the acupressure points are not too sore. For me, the heartbeat normalizes in a few minutes.

I haven't had a panic attack in several years. That doesn't mean I'll never have another, however, knowing that I have something to slowdown the rapid heartbeat means that I am not near as fearful of having another in the future. For, in my case, the rapid heartbeat is the scariest part of a panic attack and the fact that my first one lasted 3 hours instead of just 30 minutes scared me even more when I learned of normal duration. Yet, I'm still here.

So, are panic attacks dangerous? No, they just seem dangerous. As with most things, our reaction to what happens to us and the way we handle the effects of stress are the most important things. If we don't contribute more to the frightening effects of a panic attack, we can endure them better. Knowing that they are of short duration also helps that endurance.

Have a great day.

Disclaimer: This article is issued with the understanding that while every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within is accurate, the author will not accept any responsibility for any loss or otherwise, as a consequence of using any of the information that has been presented. The opinions are those of the author who has researched the information and lives by these principles and techniques as well. Users are urged to seek medical advice before embarking upon or changing a course of medication or fitness program or before making extreme changes in their life style.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

How to Stop Panic Attacks Naturally


Those who suffer from panic attacks know how truly debilitating they can be. The out of control feeling of fear and anxiety can cause one to avoid everyday activities such as driving, shopping, socializing, and more. Your heart rate speeds up, your stomach drops, you have chest pain, sometimes you feel like you will pass out. All of these physical reactions are cause by anxiety and stress. So how do you stop panic attacks naturally?

One thing you can do is practice calming yourself down. This is a mental and physical exercise where you slow your own breathing by inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Then you attempt to get yourself in check mentally by reminding yourself that these feelings are not real, that you are having a panic attack and that it will soon pass. One great way to stop panic attacks is to lie down, if possible, or relax as best you can and imagine yourself on a beach, walking barefoot in the sand. Listen to the waves crashing on the shore and picture yourself having nothing to fear or worry about.

Another great way to stop it, is to have a partner that you can call when you feel one coming on. Let them know what calms you and that you will be calling them to help stop it. They can remind you to do your breathing exercises and other distressing activities. If possible they can come to where you are at to help, but even a phone call can do wonders at relieving stress.

If the cause of your attacks are due to a certain environment, then you may need to remove yourself from the situation, even if only temporarily until you calm down. Sometimes this is not possible, but you can still stop panic attacks even if you have to remain in the situation. But removing yourself from a stressful environment can be a quick fix to stop panic attacks naturally.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

5 Tips to Stop Panic Attacks

Embarrassed about your recent panic attack? Looking for tips on how to make sure it never happens again? Here are 5 quick and easy tips on how to stop panic attack - even before it begins.

It felt like a nightmare. I was sitting in my professor's office, nervously answering questions for our final verbal examination that semester. Suddenly, for some reason I no longer remember (perhaps I blundered over a universal theory), he slammed his fist on the desk.

"What in the world do you think you are talking about?" he boomed, glaring at me through his glasses.

Suddenly, a cold feeling washed over me. My heart started pounding so hard I could almost hear it. My limbs felt numb and my hands felt icy cold. I tried to regain my composure. There was no way on earth I would let my terror professor see me hyperventilate or bawl into tears like a baby!

Panic attacks can be very embarrassing when they happen in public. They leave us vulnerable in front of people we may not even trust.

Can relate? Here are 5 tips to help you save face and stop panic attacks :

1. Breathe
When you feel the anxiety rushing in, inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Repeat.

2. Calm down
Leave the place of conflict. Take a walk outside for a while. Wash your face with cold water. Drink water. Give yourself time and space to calm down.

3. Think of something positive

If a person or a situation scares the wits out of you, think of something funny. Or tell yourself it will be over soon. Stay positive.

4. Rest
Get a good 6-8 hours of sleep every day. This will help you function at your best.

5. Avoid caffeine
Avoid coffee, tea, sugar and other things that will make you even more nervous.

3 Things You Must Do to Overcome Panic Attacks


What normally causes the attacks is "stuff" that built up over time, and you did not act on it to get what I call release valve. But now you have to work on overcoming panic attacks for couple of reasons. There is a good change you will lose the confidence, you will feel insecure, and if you are married or in relationship it can take a hold of your life.

Fill the body with the good stuff!

Number one thing you have to do is get rid of the negative I your life. This is the most important step in overcoming panic attacks. You see, the negative takes a toll on your life, the negative makes you sink down even further. We do not want that. You probably noticed, but lately you are probably telling yourself I cannot do this, this is too much for me. Well, you can, and tell yourself that for a change.

What can you do to add positive? Listen to the music, or do some fun exercises, something you enjoy. It might be bike riding, or jogging, or kick boxing. No matter what it is, it just has to be something you enjoy.

Yes going out dancing is a great way to go. Just get some friends and go. Why the physical activity? It will release these pleasure hormones, and that is all you need now.

Oh and just in the case some of your friends are not very positive, cut them out of your life. You have enough problems with your panic attacks, you don't need someone adding fuel to the fire.

Tell Others Your Problems!

For people who have not experienced panic attacks, they cannot understand your fear, however, there are some people who are just great listeners. In my life I had few of those. And that was great! I talked to them about my issues. You see, I am type of the person who holds things inside herself, but NO more. I changed that around and it has helped me great deal in overcoming anxiety attacks.


You know the feeling, you expect the next panic attack and you live in the fear that the next one will happen very soon. That fear keeps you paralyzed. Start getting into mind techniques that can help you stop the fear.

Doing more than one thing will help you overcome panic attacks.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Find Natural Relief from Depression and Anxiety


By Chris Robertson

If you suffer from depression or anxiety, life might seem overwhelming at times. Depression can cause even minor problems to seem unbearable, so you might choose to ignore normal daily tasks and withdraw from those you love. Anxiety and panic attacks can cause insomnia, and you may feel helpless at times. Panic attacks can be very scary even when your body seems to be healthy otherwise.

Taking prescription medications can help both of these conditions, but many people don't realize that there are natural ways to find relief as well. Learn about these healthy and affordable alternatives below.

The Stress Connection

Did you know that stress is deeply connected to many health conditions including depression and anxiety? Stress comes from many directions - work, family problems, or finances. Finding ways to relieve stress is important because it helps reduce your risks of depression and anxiety. Through exercise and either medication or a natural remedy, you can tremendously reduce your amount of daily stress and start living a happier, more fulfilling life.

Prescription Medications for Depression and Anxiety

Although there are many types of prescription medications that can help with depression or anxiety such as buspirone, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and benzodiazepines, these are not always the best remedy. There are several disadvantages to taking these types of medications. Some medications are very costly and may cause adverse sexual effects. They may be habit-forming, may cause insomnia or extreme fatigue, or may have cardiovascular risks.

Also, you might already be taking pharmaceutical medication for another health condition that could react with the depression or anxiety medication in an undesirable way. You should consult with your doctor to be sure the medications will not counteract one another.

Natural Alternatives

With a natural supplement, you might find relief from depression or anxiety without spending a fortune on doctor bills and prescription medications. Sometimes the answer can be as simple as taking a certain herbal remedy such as Amoryn or making minor changes to your diet. Studies with Amoryn, for example, have shown positive results for 90 percent of those with depression and 88 percent of those with anxiety. Amoryn is a natural antidepressant that boosts the brain's natural capacity for happiness.

Seredyn is another natural supplement that helps relieve anxiety and panic attacks by calming you and giving you a sense of control as you go through the day.

Benefits of Natural Supplements

With natural supplements, you can enjoy relief while avoiding many of the unwanted side effects that can occur with prescription medications. These are not usually habit-forming and often produce positive results within a short period of time. You can now research these online to find the right herbs for you. If you suffer from severe depression or anxiety, share your findings with your physician to come up with a viable solution.

Don't let depression and anxiety control your life. Take back control with natural remedies and start living once again!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

How to Overcome Panic Attacks - Behavior Management and Self Control By Christina Sponias



Panic is a sensation of total despair and weakness that provokes several alterations in the body.

Dictionary.com defines it as:

1. A sudden overwhelming fear, with or without cause, that produces hysterical or irrational behavior, and that often spreads quickly through a group of persons or animals.

2. An instance, outbreak, or period of such fear.

This is the definition of its characteristics. The definition of what panic really means, and why many people experience panic attacks, is more complex.

The truth is that the human being possesses a wild and violent primitive conscience, besides his known human conscience. This violent anti-conscience is constantly trying to destroy the human side through craziness because it is absurd and cruel. It is a wild animal that has no sensitivity.

Therefore the anti-conscience constantly tries to frighten the human side of the conscience in order to dominate it. First it induces the person to make many mistakes by misinterpreting many points of the objective reality. Later it provokes panic, when the person understands that something is wrong with them, even though they cannot understand exactly what it is.

The mistakes and misconceptions provoke problematic situations, fears and despair. This is when the anti-conscience has the chance to cause even more damage to the human conscience, after conquering a portion of the field of the conscious realm.

Suddenly the person starts sweating, feeling dizzy and losing the floor under their feet. This weakness increases their initial fear. They feel so hopeless that they believe they are in a situation that has no salvation.

This is the result of the invasion of the anti-conscience into the human side of the conscience. This invasion happens many times, but depending on the problems they cause and on the psychological type of each person, it may provoke different mental disturbances that develop into graver diseases, if the person doesn't fight against this domination.

In order to completely eliminate panic attacks the person must start taking note of their dreams and translate their hidden messages through the scientific method of dream interpretation. The unconscious mind that produces the dreams is wise and saintly, and tries to save the human side of our conscience from the craziness that the wild side imposes on us.

If you experience panic attacks, don't delay in writing down your dreams every day and relating them back to what is happening in your life. One dream explains another and is always related to your life, your mental health and happiness.

In order to fight against the panic you may have while interpreting your dreams, you must be strong and believe that you are not going to faint or die, and that nothing bad will happen to you. Simply bear the horrible sensations with courage, waiting for their end. They won't last too long. Each time you resist and simply bear them, waiting for their end without losing hope, they lose power.

Having the tools of resistance in one hand and dream analysis in the other, will help you forever eliminate panic attacks, besides helping you develop your intelligence to the fullest and acquire mental health, balance, wisdom and happiness for life. Everything depends on the elimination of the dangerous wild and violent side of your conscience.

You are going to eliminate the enemy, but without killing it, since it is a part of you. This is your wild self, which has to be tamed and acquire basic human characteristics like compassion and forgiveness, so that you may live peacefully, and enjoy real and long-lasting happiness.

This way your behavior will not be controlled by the absurd anti-conscience and you'll have self control, and always feel strong and self-confident.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Still Have No Gifts for Christmas?


Don't panic! I've compiled a last minute gift ideas for you so you won't have a hard time looking for gift ideas! First, you need to determine to whom you'd give the gift to. Then, think of the preferences and favorites of the said person. From there, you can narrow down the list of items that the person will probably love.

You can also ask friends and relatives for ideas. You can also collect wish lists from them.

Those are just some of the simple steps in determining what to give this Christmas.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Treatment to Panic Attacks


When you're experiencing panic attacks and fear that it may attack again this holiday season, it is better that you deal with it right away and get the best treatment before it's too late. I know, it may be a little difficult but it sure is possible.

I know a friend who's been suffering from panic anxiety since she was in grade school. She related an experience when she was a in gathering and she had panic attacks. She said it was the most humiliating experience she's ever had.

When we meet again last week, I asked her how she's preparing for the upcoming Christmas celebration. She excitedly told me that she's discovered an effective way to treat her panic anxiety and that it has also helped her to overcome many other personal weaknesses. Curious as to what has greatly helped my friend, she mentioned a product named PanicAway. From the name itself, I know my friend has indeed from the great help she badly needed to overcome her panic attacks and get away with it. Happy Holidays everyone!