Panic Attacks And Anxiety

Panic Attacks And Anxiety

Do you have anxiety? Are you constantly worried? Anxiety is a normal part of life, and we all feel anxious from time to time -- and with good reason. However, many people suffer from anxiety without any valid reason -- regardless of how valid the reason for the anxiety seems to them.

Anxiety can cause a host of other problems. First, when the brain is stressed, the body's immune system fails to function properly. This leads to illnesses. Second, anxiety can prevent one from living life to the fullest. Finally, anxiety can lead to full-blown anxiety attacks, otherwise known as panic attacks.

A panic attack can feel like a heart attack. In fact, when one suffers their first panic attack, this is what they think that it is, in most cases. They will usually seek out medical emergency services. The symptoms are often the same as a heart attack. The person may feel chest pains, have trouble catching their breath, become dizzy, feel nauseous, and also feel completely out of control.

Luckily, you won't die from a panic attack -- even though you can't be convinced of that when it is happening. Even better news is that panic attacks can be prevented. Medication can be prescribed, relaxation techniques can be used, and counseling, in the form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be sought.

Your doctor will most likely prescribe an antidepressant for your anxiety. However, antidepressants take about three weeks to become effective, and during this time, you may discover that you are more anxious than you were before. Panic attacks may become more severe during this time.

For this reason, your doctor may also prescribe a benzodiazepine. The benzodiazepine will effectively take care of the anxious feelings, and help to prevent a panic attack. However, this is not a safe long-term drug, as antidepressants are. Therefore, after about three weeks, your doctor will most likely discontinue the benzodiazepine, and continue with the antidepressant. Naturally, CBT will also be recommended.

Panic attacks are very real -- and very scary. If you suffer from panic attacks, know that there is treatment out there, and with that treatment, you can avoid future panic attacks.