Panic Attacks and Remedies

Panic attack may be caused by a lot of things that can be found in the everyday routine of one person. Among these things, stress is a common factor. Panic attack, or anxiety attack as referred to by other people, is common to a lot of people. The experience of heavy breathing, hard pounding of the heart and the unreasonable fear of a danger are just some of the few things that anyone feels whenever he is faced with a problem, or what the brain calls as the “fight-or-flight” response.

When a person is confronted with a problem, or danger, his brain automatically sends signals to the body which is flooded with adrenaline and other biochemicals. Because of this, the body undergoes changes, hence the sweating of the palms and the racing heart beats occur. However, when the danger is not really imminent and the body continues to feel the same way, this is when panic attack happens.

Panic attack can lead to other more serious illnesses when they are not given enough treatment. Panic attacks which have been ongoing and continuously reoccurring to one person can be a sign of panic disorders. Unlike panic attacks which are abrupt and are common to many, panic disorders can be disabling and can really affect the physical, emotional, mental and psychological functioning of a person. In order to prevent this, panic attacks, though as typical as they may be, should not be taken for granted.

One should be reminded that it is easy to cope with an anxiety attack. Oftentimes, people who experience this attack whisper to themselves words like “relax” or “I’m Ok.” Experts believe that talking to one’s self which may focus only the attention to the anxiety symptoms would not be helpful. Instead, those who are experiencing the attack must remind themselves that the attack is not life threatening; also, they should continuously reassure to themselves that the attack was usual, and that they have already felt the same thing before and nothing bad happened.

The attention should be focused on something else other than what is currently happening, or in other words, the person should avoid thinking of the attack itself. If the attack occurs, the person should try breathing into a paper bag and inhaling the carbon dioxide that he had exhaled. This process can help in balancing gases which can help in easing the symptoms, or the hyperventilating. If there are no paper bags at hand, he can just hold his breath for 10 counts and slowly take deep breaths.

Trying to run away from the problem and choosing the “light” response can only reinforce the idea that the panic attacks are beyond the control of the person. However, if he allows himself to solve the problem on his own, letting the symptoms pass, he is able to confidently say that he can cope with such attack; and when the anxiety attacks once more, he knows that he can surpass it again.

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