Anxiety Attacks

Thoughts can be powerful weapons. For some people, when they face the unexpected, they are overcome with imagery that tends to overwhelm their senses; standing in front of a crowd to give a speech, renders them incapable of delivering their words; bringing on shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, accelerated pulse, sudden profuse perspiration even near collapse, all adding up to an acute anxiety attack. This attack triggered by fear and fueled by images from the speaker causes this reaction. It is unfounded fear, but it real to the victim experiencing it at the time.

Anxiety is defined in the Microsoft Encarta Dictionary as; 1. a feeling or a cause of worry. 2. a strong wish to do something. 3. a medical condition marked by apprehension.

Anxiety is based on emotions. When caught in an anxious moment, your mind attempts to point out dangers that loom ahead. It is during this reasoning process that the person can become nervous, develop tremors, become light-headed and even pass out. Anxiety generally comes after fear. For example; you are afraid of flying. While boarding the plane, your mouth becomes dry, your palms sweaty. Images rush though your mind, so by the time you are seated; you need a paper bag to breathe in because you are hyperventilating. You are having an anxiety attack.

Anxiety Attack Symptoms

• Heart palpitations
• Sweaty palms
• Shortness of breath
• Pressure in chest
• Lump in throat
• Feeling like choking
• Spasms and tremors
• Speech impaired
• Frozen limbs
• Wobbly legs
• Generalized sweating
• Pacing
• Fidgeting
• Eyelid twitch
• Decreased pulse rate
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Fainting

What causes anxiety attacks?

Fear mostly, sometimes unfounded fear; “If I get in that airplane, I could die…If I give that speech, people will laugh at me…If I walk down that alley, I could get mugged.” Your mind works against you, taking you into scenarios that exist in your imagination. This is called free-floating anxiety triggered by dangers either real or psychosomatic. Call it an early alarm-system attached to your brain, one that is sensitive to every thought you generate, as well as what you are exposed to in the media and in print.

Types of anxiety attacks

• Panic Disorder
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Atypical Anxiety Disorder
• Phobic Disorders
• Agoraphobia
• Social Phobia
• Simple Phobia

How do you deal with anxiety attacks?

See a therapist. Allow the therapist to teach you how to redirect your cognitive thoughts. The therapist will also teach you other coping skills. He may teach you self-hypnosis or suggest you start meditating or keeping a journal on a daily basis.

Stay away from alcohol and recreational drugs. These will assist you in fueling your anxiety, these substances will not be solving your problem.

Talk to your doctor about the drugs available for people with anxiety disorders. Take only the recommended dose. Any drug used for the treatment of anxiety disorder will contain side effects. Talk to your doctor about all the side effects associated with the drug he wants you to start taking.

Keep a journal. Follow the thoughts that caused the anxiety attack; if I don’t get that promotion, I will kill myself. Ask yourself why would you think that? How can a promotion be more important than your life? Follow the line of cognitive thought and process yourself out of the anxiety in the picture. This is part of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Your therapist will assist you by giving you all the tools necessary to learn about these necessary coping skills