Control And Stop Panic Attacks

The Dangers of a Panic Attack While Driving

2010-02-14T20:05:00.000-08:00

Having a panic attack while driving can make you a danger to yourself and other motorists on the road, but knowing how to recognize an impending panic attack while driving can help prevent disaster. There have been stories of people falling asleep at the wheel, of road rage incidents, and of other behavioural problems behind the wheel of our automobiles for a long time now. Every story is usually about someone “losing control”, and a panic attack is all about loss of control in the face of stress.

There is often a direct correlation between driving and panic attacks, actually. Busy roads, crazy intersections, impatient motorists and multiple other factors all contribute to the stress of driving to and from our destinations on a daily basis. The roads have almost become war zones as we travel from place to place, always in a hurry and always wanting to be the “first” to arrive at our place of work or at home.

Effects of an Attack While Driving

A panic attack while driving can cause the most sudden of emotional and physical effects on the human body possible. The danger of this is obvious and the cause is generally controllable. A panic attack, in fact, causes the most complex and fast reaction known in the human body. This is because it affects so many organisms and bodily systems in so many different ways at such a great rate of speed that it is completely unpredictable.

Panic attacks affect the operation of the eyes, motor skills, major gland functions, brain functions, heart functions, lung functions, and many more systematic functions throughout the human body. The metabolism of the body is increased and several blood sugars flood the vital organs causing, quite literally, a massive panic on the body’s organs. Once sugars and excessive fatty acids are released into the bloodstream, they are carried throughout the body to attempt to “cope” with the stressors or causes of your panic attack, often with disastrous results.

Panic attack symptoms are, in fact, twice as likely to appear in women as they are in men. They almost always begin in adolescence and continue into adulthood. If you are prone to panic attacks while young, you will almost always be prone to them throughout your life.

Having a panic attack while driving, therefore, is a dangerous but often inevitable possibility because of the “built-in” stress of driving and of the roads today.

Useful Tips to Take Control of Panic Attacks

2007-06-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

If you are currently suffering from anxiety and panic attacks, you know that attacks can occur out of the blue. One minute you feel fine and the next you feel that your whole world is spinning out of control, and you have absolutely no idea why this is happening. You do not feel stressed, you are not worried and heck, you are not even feeling anxious. So why is this happening to you again and again?

Panic attacks that happened out of the blue do occur. And you may be glad to know that there is always a reason for these sudden panic attacks. So how on earth do you handle and control a panic attack that you are not prepared for? Let me shed some light here.

Stay Calm. Relax

Yes. To handle such panic attacks, first you got to stay calm. The more you fear, the worse the panic attack will become. Just remember that panic attacks cannot and will not hurt you. These attacks simply make you feel uncomfortable and although frightening, the symptoms are actually normal reaction that your body responds during panic attacks. If you resist the symptoms, your body will amplify these symptoms and make it worse. Just remember that it would end eventually.

Proper breathing technique goes hand in hand with staying calm. These two are major factors in dealing with panic attacks. So how do you use breathing technique to control and handle panic attacks?

1. First place your hand on your stomach.
2. Slowly, with each inhale through the nose, you should feel your hand pushing out.
3. Now, again slowly exhale, through your mouth, you should feel you hand pushing into your stomach. Think of it like your hand pushing the air out of your body.
4. Repeat this until the symptoms of goes away.

However it is important to note that, this way of breathing is pretty uncomfortable to some. So instead of using this technique during the attacks, practice this technique while you can. This can be easily done while standing or sitting, although lying down on the bed is the best way to practice. However, once you are proficient in this technique, you can start practicing while you work in your office or walking to your favorite eating place. Practice makes perfect.

Let Panic Attack Runs Its Own Course

It is important to understand that during panic attacks, do not figure out what caused it. Because if you do, you are doing more harm than good and causing more symptoms to compound. Let the attack runs it course and apply the breathing technique. If you are hit by a course of panic attack when you are in a crowd, excuse yourself and find yourself a place where you can be alone. A little tip here. The bathroom is an excellent place to be in. Find a clean one and sit there. Remember to remain calm and apply the breathing technique.

Out of the blue panic attacks can happen and will happen. How you react to them will determine how long these panic attacks will last and how severe they will be. Take control of the attacks, stay calm and apply your breathing technique and let the attacks run its own course. Work through it and you will start to feel your body relaxing, only if you allow it to.

Breathing Excercise You Can Do

2007-05-06T23:55:00.000-07:00

Deep breathing is a very important and crucial part of lowering your stress level and reducing chances of panic attacks. This does not mean breathing from the chest but breathing from the stomach. These are some tips and exercises that you can take.

1. First take deep breaths. While doing this put your hand on your stomach.
2. With your hand on your stomach, concentrate on making your hand rise as far as possible.
3. Remember to breathe in through your nose and hold it for about 5-7 seconds.
4. Finally let the air out through your mouth, slowly, by puckering your lips and letting the air out like a balloon. Or if you like, breathing out through pursed lips as if trying to blow through a drinking straw.

Not only this would help to decrease your heart rate and it also brings endorphins into the your body system.

How To Deal With Panic Attacks

2007-04-29T20:22:00.000-07:00

Have you ever experienced a sudden change of pace in your heart? Your face may become flushed and a loss of breath may occur. Dizziness follows and you might have the urge to vomit on the spot. Your life feels like it is racing out of control. For some, a feeling that conjures up thoughts of impending death may arise. Little do you know that these are all signs associated with a panic attack, which can occur at anytime in your life, regardless of who you are or where you happen to be at the time. You are overtaken by a strong sense of fear with your entire body reacting to this scary process.

Symptoms and Signs

The symptoms of a panic attack are so overwhelming that some feel they are having a heart attack. It is a condition that mostly occurs in females, but is also fairly common among males. When individuals experience numerous panic attacks, they will most likely be diagnosed as having a condition that is called panic disorder. It is a treatable condition marked by a series of signs and symptoms.

Although there are variations in symptoms of a panic attack, there are a few basic characteristics that often last about ? hour after the sudden emergence of attack symptoms. A person may experience an increase in heart rate, sweats, chills, nausea, chest pain, dizziness, faintness, tightness in the throat, hot flashes, hyperventilation and trouble swallowing. A headache is also a common sign of a panic attack.

Causes of a Panic Attack

There are numerous factors that may contribute to the onset of a panic attack, but a clearly defined, concrete list of do?s or don?ts has yet to be compiled. Doctors know that stress, heredity and other biochemical variables have something to do with panic attacks. For instance, if your mother has a history of suffering many panic attacks throughout her life, it is not uncommon for her children to possibly experience the same.

A panic attack may also develop when one is suffering from depression and other mental disorders, such as an intense fear of something or someone. For example, if you are afraid of planes and you are forced to ride on one, you may experience a panic attack. Those suffering from panic attacks may also suffer from extreme anti-social feelings. When panic attacks evolve into a persistent event or they cause one to lead their life differently, this is when assistance from a physician is needed.

Treatment

When one finally seeks help for their panic attack problem, they will find that the treatment for this disorder is rather effective. Numerous medications are used in treating this condition. They may include a variety of antidepressants, including Zoloft, which is a type of sertraline. Paroxetine, such as Paxil and a fluoxetine like Prozac or Sarafem are also used. A benzodiazepine-type of medication may also be prescribed, which includes brand names like Xanax. Sometimes, a patient will undergo various sessions with a psychiatrist or psychologist, which may treat the root of their problem. They might discover new ways of dealing with their panic attacks, often eliminating the need to use chemical medication for treatment.

In addition to using the assistance of your doctor and other healthcare professionals, you will also find various approaches in self-care to consider. This may include incorporating meditation, muscle relaxation and controlled breathing into your daily routine.

About the Author:

Derrick Bell is a writer and administrator for Panic Attack Topics, a site that specializes in panic attack symptoms.

Panic Disorder - Tips You Can Use to Control Panic Attacks

2007-04-24T00:21:00.000-07:00

Panic attacks can have a significant impact in your life and can even interfere with your work and social relationships. They can range from mild to debilitating, preventing you from going out and doing the things you normally did. They can also place a dent in your self-esteem. It is important that you know how to control panic attacks. If you want to conquer your panic attacks, here are some tips on how to control panic attacks:

Find the trigger. All panic attacks have a trigger. Find out what yours is. Panic attacks usually occur during times of stress or times when you feel helpless or confined. Closed spaces and small quarters, for example, can trigger a panic attack. So will the thought of facing a group of people whether for a meeting, presentation or public speech.

Learn to find the pattern of occurrence of your attacks and you'll be better at predicting them. If you know what causes your panic attacks, you can better prepare for them before they occur and be able to control panic attacks and your negative feelings.

Learn relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques help train the mind to control itself in situations where panic attacks usually occur. By learning to relax, you teach your body to follow your mind and control panic attacks.

Learn meditation or self-hypnosis, which are both effective for helping you clear your mind and reduce muscle tension and heart rate. They also work well with helping you gain better control of your breathing and your reactions in case of another panic attack. Practice these techniques for at least 20 minutes everyday to control panic attacks.

Learn to breathe properly. Breathing is the key to learning how to control panic attacks. Learn the proper technique by lying on a flat surface or sitting on a chair. By keeping your spine straight and closing your eyes, picture your diaphragm as your center.

Place a hand over the area and draw in a breath slowly, using a count of 5 and then breathe out slowly. Repeat this for at least 20 times until you find your rhythm and your body begins to relax. During this exercise, think of being in a peaceful and safe place and repeat to yourself reassuring statements such as, "I am in a safe place. Nothing will harm me. There is no danger to my person. I am safe."

Next time a panic attack threatens you, use this breathing technique to calm yourself. Regardless of where you are, remember this technique and use it to control panic attacks.

Check your diet. Diet plays a big part in making you more susceptible to panic and anxiety attacks. Certain foods like caffeine, salt and nicotine for example, should be taken in moderation. Caffeine and nicotine are known stimulants and can increase your nervousness and agitation while salt hinders the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Get enough sleep. If you suffer from panic attacks, make sure you get a good rest every night. If your body is well rested, your mental and physical abilities are more in tuned to each other when you wake up. You are less likely to react without thinking or give in to panic attacks if you're refreshed and feeling in control.

See a doctor. If your panic attacks are severe, it might be time to seek professional help to control panic attacks. Some symptoms can be too much even for you to handle, in which case you might benefit from prescription medication or even professional counseling to control panic attacks. Don’t be afraid to seek help. You are not alone in your condition and there are a lot of sources you can turn to for assistance if you will only ask.

If you have tried everything and spend a fortune to control panic attacks and yet found no cure, don’t despair. Did you know that you can free yourself from panic attacks today? Regardless of what you have been led to believe acute anxiety and panic attacks can be cured in easy-to-follow steps without any medication using a revolutionary new technique. Put an end to your panic attacks today visit Panic Away at Great Discovery-Health and Beauty

Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects including Panic Disorder: Tips You Can Use to Control Panic Attacks. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author’s name, bio and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.

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