Panic Attacks And the Fight-Or-Fret Response

A panic attack is simply a sudden intense episode of extreme fear that causes severe physical responses even when there isn’t any apparent cause or threat. It’s also commonly mistaken for a heart attack as it causes chest pains and shortness of breath. Panic attacks may be frightening. However, if panic attacks strike, you may think you are having a heart attack, losing consciousness or dying.

When panic attacks occur often, it’s usually because you are experiencing a build up of stress over time. You may feel tense and overwhelmed with feelings that you don’t understand. This builds up as stress until it reaches a tipping point. Then suddenly, the symptoms begin to subside.

Some people who suffer from panic attacks also experience a rapid heartbeat, sweating, chills and dizziness. You may also feel a tingling sensation in your hands or feet, chest pains, hot flashes, numbness in your toes and fingers, difficulty breathing, fear of losing control and an intense fear of death. Many times, these symptoms begin and immediately precede actual panic attacks.

Some of these symptoms occur in many people without panic disorders. Nevertheless, when you experience such overwhelming feelings on a regular basis, you should seek help from a qualified mental health professional. Your primary physician should be able to tell you whether or not you are experiencing anxiety symptoms and prescribe medications for dealing with the stress that accompanies them. If you are experiencing frequent attacks, your doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy to help change how you respond to stressful situations.

While panic attacks are often associated with a specific phobia, there are many other symptoms that may occur without fear or anxiety. For example, obsessive compulsive disorder can lead to the same symptoms as well. In addition, a traumatic event may cause symptoms to appear. These can include post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. There are many other psychological conditions that can bring about similar symptoms to those of a panic disorder.

There are several ways to treat your panic disorder and one of the most effective is to reduce your intake of caffeine. Caffeine has stimulant properties, so it can make you feel jumpy. One way to lessen your caffeine intake is to take a product containing natural caffeine, such as green tea. Another way to help ease your symptoms is to consume a diet high in anti-oxidants. These can include cherries, blueberries, nuts, and whole grains. The anti-oxidants will help eliminate toxins and help you feel better.

When you suffer from panic attacks, you may also have physical symptoms that are mistaken for a panic attack. For example, you may experience chills, dizziness, or a tingling sensation in your hands or feet. Unfortunately, these physical symptoms often accompany an intense anxiety attack. You may begin to worry that you are losing your mind, which in turn can lead to increased tension in your muscles and joints. These additional feelings can lead to a cycle of fear and worry, which can perpetuate your anxiety even further.

When you are experiencing panic attacks, it is crucial that you work to relax your mind as much as possible. This will allow you to train your body to respond in a different way. The best way to prepare your body to respond differently is to learn how to control your breathing. When you learn how to properly breathe while you are facing your next panic attacks, you will notice that you will not be able to experience the intense anxiety that accompanies the attack. Proper breathing techniques are the secret to learning how to fight-or-flight response properly and safely.