Panic Attack, anyone?!

[kenecio]

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Why it's important to resist the urge to run home

During panic, it’s very common to feel an overwhelming urge to run home. Resisting this urge is one of the keys to overcoming agoraphobia. A lot of things about how you heal from this condition are very "counter-intuitive" – the opposite of what you might think! One of these "counter-intuitive" keys is resisting the urge to run home.

In the short run, running home relieves the anxiety. But in the long run, it actually reinforces the agoraphobia. When you give in to the impulse to run home, it reinforces two completely false and counterproductive ideas: 1) that you have to run home to relieve panic and 2) that you have to be at home in order to feel safe.

Panic attacks – as unpleasant as they are – are not harmful. If you don't run home when you have a panic attack, nothing bad will happen. In fact, in the long run, it will help you to overcome agoraphobia.

Here’s an example of how to resist the urge to run home: Let’s suppose you are driving and you experience panic and the urge to run home. Instead of immediately turning the car around and heading home, just find a place to pull over. Use your cognitive techniques and just wait it out. You will see that nothing bad happens, and the panic passes very quickly. Then, congratulate yourself, because you just had a victory! Once you feel pretty calm, you can decide to either go home or – even better – continue with your outing.

Each time you resist the urge to run home, you discover that, by using your cognitive techniques, or just by waiting it out, the anxiety subsides. And each time you resist the urge to run home, you chip away a little bit of the agoraphobia.

[kenecio]

THERE IS HOPE

It was early Saturday morning, and I had a job to finish for my company. San Antonio was only an hour's drive from home. I had driven there many times before, but this morning was quite different. What happened that day only lasted a few minutes, but the memory of it would control my life for the next ten years.

As I entered the city, I noticed that my heart was beating quite fast, and I had difficulty breathing. What's happening to me? My hands and legs started to go numb. This is a heart attack! I'm having a heart attack! My mind began to race. I'm going crazy. I just know I am. At that point, I just knew that I was going to die. Oh Lord, please don't let me die!

As it turned out, I didn't have a heart attack. I didn't go crazy, and I'm still alive to tell you about what I went through. I was having what doctors call a panic attack.

Thoughts of dying or going crazy are common among people having a panic attack. One study shows that a third of the people who go to an emergency room for "heart problems" are there as a result of a panic attack.

Panic disorder is different from a panic attack. An attack--although it is very terrifying--only lasts a few minutes. Panic disorder results from the long term effects of the attack itself. Complications of this disorder include the fear of having another attack, agoraphobia, and drug or alcohol abuse. According to the National Mental Health Institute, between 20 and 30 million Americans suffer panic disorder.

Although panic attacks have been around for centuries, doctors are now beginning to understand what causes these terrifying experiences. The human body has a natural, biochemical reaction to fear known as the "fight or flight" system. In this system, the body prepares either to run from danger or stand up and fight.

To illustrate this, imagine walking through a thick wilderness. As you approach a small river, you notice a large black bear feeding. At this point the bear hasn't noticed you, but your body begins to react. Your heart starts beating faster, and your blood pressure elevates. Your hands and legs begin to go numb, because your blood is being pumped to your legs for running and to your arms for fighting. Adrenaline is being released into your body. During all this, your mind is focused on that bear, and not on your body. If the bear sees you, then your body is ready to react.

Someone having a panic attack will experience the same symptoms: rapid heartbeat, numbing sensation in the hands and legs, and elevated blood pressure. Irrational fears arise because the person having the attack is "looking for the bear." Since no external danger can be found, the panic sufferer begins to listen to what their body is telling them. My heart is racing. Maybe it's a heart attack. My body is going numb. I must be dying. Thoughts race through the mind as the sufferer tries to "find the bear."

Panic disorder is more common among women than men. For every eight women diagnosed with this disorder, only one man will have it. According to the NMHI, panic and anxiety disorders are the leading mental health problem in women. For men, it is second only to drug and alcohol abuse.

For years, I visited doctors in hopes of finding out what my problem was. Each doctor I saw could find nothing wrong with me. They dismissed it as either stress or "nerves".

During my senior year at college, the panic attacks increased. I went to see a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with Chronic Panic Anxiety Disorder. It was actually a relief to know that I was not alone--that others were having the same problem I had. He treated me for about three months with an anti-anxiety drug and behavior therapy. The treatment, however, was not completely successful. A few years later, the fear returned.

In college, I discovered a temporary form of self medication known as "alcohol." Twenty percent of those who suffer panic disorder will turn to alcohol or drugs for temporary relief. Almost every night, I would drink to avoid dealing with the fear.

Two years after graduation, the alcohol and fear continued. I felt that no one could help me. Depression eased its way into my life. Utterly hopeless, I prayed a simple prayer, "God, if You are real, then You can help me. You can take away this fear."

After visiting various churches, I found one that I really enjoyed. It was quite different than what I was used to. Worship was the focus of this non-denominational church. I knew that this was the place for me.

On my third visit, the pastor began speaking about this fear he had experienced. I've heard many people talk about fear, but this time it was different. I knew the kind of fear he was describing. Afterwards, he agreed to see me for counseling.

On our first meeting together, he asked me to explain what I was going through. As I stumbled for words, he stopped me and said, "Better yet. Let me explain it to you." As he began to describe the fear, I was shocked--someone could actually describe to me my fears.

The layers of hopelessness slowly began to peel away. Not only did I find someone who experienced what I had, but he was completely free from it. There was hope. For the first time in my life, I could see light at the end of the tunnel.

From that day on, I began a quest. I wanted to learn as much as I possibly could about panic attacks and panic disorder. I started collecting every article I could find on the subject. I searched the Bible for all references to fear. I read books by doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists who understand this anxiety disease.

In all of the researched information, I never found that overnight cure I so desperately sought. I was hoping for that "magic pill," but there was none. I soon learned that healing is a process.

After meeting with other panic sufferers, I learned that the healing process is related to the length of the disorder. For those who had been experiencing panic attacks for only a few years, healing often came in a few months. For others who had experienced this fear their entire life, as my pastor and I, healing was a longer process.

Overcoming panic disorder starts with knowledge of the disorder. Knowing how the body reacts during a "fight or flight" situation can help tremendously when the next panic attack strikes. When the mind begins to "search for the bear," the sufferer can now understand why these thoughts arise.

Doctors today have become quite knowledgeable about anxiety. Panic disorder is one of the most curable mental health problems in today's society. The sad news is that only one in four people seek treatment. Over ninety percent of those who do seek treatment can notice significant relief within a few weeks. If you feel you are victim of this fear, talk to your doctor. There is hope. Healing will come in its time.

For me, the Key to opening that door to healing was Jesus Christ. The Bible says that there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear, because fear involves torment (1 John 4:18, NKJV). That perfect love can come only through Jesus.

You may ask, "I suffer panic attacks and fear. Where do I begin?" You can start where I did--with prayer. Pray the simple prayer that I prayed when I was in that tunnel of darkness. Ask God to reveal Himself to you. Commit your life to Christ. Then, through Him, God will cast out that imperfect fear with His perfect Love. This is where healing begins.

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You defeated by this fear. The Bible says that Your perfect Love casts out all fear, and I want to know Your Love. I know that I have not lived a perfect life before You, but there is One Who has, Jesus Christ. I commit my life to developing a love relationship with Him. I can now come to You through Your Son and receive the peace You have for me. I ask all of these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

[kenecio]

NOBODY DIED BEC. OF PANIC ATTACK. IN FACT DURING A PANIC ATTACK YOUR BODY IS IN SURVIVAL MODE. MURA SIYA UG KANA BITAW NAAY SUNOG MAG ADRENALINE RUSH TA, MAO MA ALSA ANG MGA BUTANG NGA PWERTENG BUG-ATA! ONLY THAT LANG ANG PANIC ATTACK WALAY SUNOG, WALAY DAPAT KALISANGAN PERO NAG ADRENALINE RUSH TA! ANG TAO NGA TABANGON SA HOSPITAL KANANG NAG ARREST NA INJECTIONAN GANI NA NILA UG EPENIPHRINE/ADRENALINE PARA MA REVIVE - SO ANG ATO LAWAS KUNG MAG PANIC ATTACK MURA SIYA UG GI INJECTIONAN KA ANA, ONLY THAT - WA LANG KA MAG ARREST! SO WA SAB GYUD CHANCE NGA MAMATAY KA KAY KUNG SA HOSPITAL PA - NA INJECTIONAN KA NA!

You walk into the woods to gather twigs for a campfire. You have walked just a few steps, when you turn and see a black bear galloping toward you. For a split second, you freeze, your arms and legs stiffen. From this point on, your thoughts stop as your body takes over. You are now in
"survival" mode. Your heart starts beating faster, pumping blood to the areas of your body that you need to either run away or fight the bear. Your thighs, biceps, and other muscles get most of this blood, while the blood recedes from your fingers and toes to keep you from bleeding to death in case the bear injures you. You start breathing deeply and rapidly, oxygenating the tissues of your body for action. You start sweating so that your body does not overheat during action and so that, if the bear grabs you, he will have a hard time holding onto your slippery body. You are now primed for action; you either start running, or grab the nearest stick or rock to defend yourself against the bear.

When the incident is over (hopefully, you are the victor) you calm down; your body returns to normal. You remember how terrified you were and, perhaps, how strange your body felt during this incident, but you don't dwell on those feelings. You know that the bear was responsible for all those strange, bodily sensations that you experienced. The bear triggered your instinctive "flight or fight" response.

People who suffer panic attacks, however, have no such excuse for their terror. Instead, an invisible enemy seems to trigger their "flight or fight" response, and it can happen at any time, in any place, with any situation. Though many people consider simple anxiety as being panic attacks, they are not the same. A panic attack is an intense feeling of fear, without a logical cause, not just a stressful feeling. Sure, having a panic attack while making a speech might make logical sense (most people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death), but having one while grocery shopping or finishing a project at work is not.

DO NOT EVER GIVE UP ON YOURSELF

[Tin_Tin]

Any OTC drug for Panic Attacks or Anxiety Disorder?

[moyti]

Any OTC drug for Panic Attacks or Anxiety Disorder?

OTC drugs for PA or GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) are under the regulated drugs since they can be addictive or have adverse effects if not properly administered. so kinahanglan jud ug prescription to avail them. however, there are food supplements which claim to help control PA and GAD but i don't know how effective they are.

IMHO, it's better to have these drugs difficult to avail so a sufferer can learn how not to be dependent on drugs.

[8_cRawlin_baby_8]

mao ba ni ang gi nerbyos

[fabbypink]

d gyud lalim esp if it's already affecting ur daily activities. same sad nako. i experience panic and anxiety attacks almost everyday. y not form a support group kaha? we can help each other. we are in the same shoes, we can relate to each other. we can help face our fears together. ok kaayo ko aning support group...

[carlo_nunez33@yahoo.com]

NOBODY DIED BEC. OF PANIC ATTACK. IN FACT DURING A PANIC ATTACK YOUR BODY IS IN SURVIVAL MODE. MURA SIYA UG KANA BITAW NAAY SUNOG MAG ADRENALINE RUSH TA, MAO MA ALSA ANG MGA BUTANG NGA PWERTENG BUG-ATA! ONLY THAT LANG ANG PANIC ATTACK WALAY SUNOG, WALAY DAPAT KALISANGAN PERO NAG ADRENALINE RUSH TA! ANG TAO NGA TABANGON SA HOSPITAL KANANG NAG ARREST NA INJECTIONAN GANI NA NILA UG EPENIPHRINE/ADRENALINE PARA MA REVIVE - SO ANG ATO LAWAS KUNG MAG PANIC ATTACK MURA SIYA UG GI INJECTIONAN KA ANA, ONLY THAT - WA LANG KA MAG ARREST! SO WA SAB GYUD CHANCE NGA MAMATAY KA KAY KUNG SA HOSPITAL PA - NA INJECTIONAN KA NA!

You walk into the woods to gather twigs for a campfire. You have walked just a few steps, when you turn and see a black bear galloping toward you. For a split second, you freeze, your arms and legs stiffen. From this point on, your thoughts stop as your body takes over. You are now in
"survival" mode. Your heart starts beating faster, pumping blood to the areas of your body that you need to either run away or fight the bear. Your thighs, biceps, and other muscles get most of this blood, while the blood recedes from your fingers and toes to keep you from bleeding to death in case the bear injures you. You start breathing deeply and rapidly, oxygenating the tissues of your body for action. You start sweating so that your body does not overheat during action and so that, if the bear grabs you, he will have a hard time holding onto your slippery body. You are now primed for action; you either start running, or grab the nearest stick or rock to defend yourself against the bear.

When the incident is over (hopefully, you are the victor) you calm down; your body returns to normal. You remember how terrified you were and, perhaps, how strange your body felt during this incident, but you don't dwell on those feelings. You know that the bear was responsible for all those strange, bodily sensations that you experienced. The bear triggered your instinctive "flight or fight" response.

People who suffer panic attacks, however, have no such excuse for their terror. Instead, an invisible enemy seems to trigger their "flight or fight" response, and it can happen at any time, in any place, with any situation. Though many people consider simple anxiety as being panic attacks, they are not the same. A panic attack is an intense feeling of fear, without a logical cause, not just a stressful feeling. Sure, having a panic attack while making a speech might make logical sense (most people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death), but having one while grocery shopping or finishing a project at work is not.

DO NOT EVER GIVE UP ON YOURSELF

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Sir, we're so great full to hear your story...... It's such a big relief..

[carlo_nunez33@yahoo.com]

Support group ba kamo? Sama ako dyan.......

[kenecio]

naa ko ani. being around people (especially strangers) stresses me out. even kanang sa jeepney, ma-stress na ko ana. kapoy kaayo kay makaingon ko ako ra man kaugalingon akong kalaban. pero i can't help it gyud. mo-tukar gyud sya. in the past years, i stay away from people unless kailangan na gyud like at work. even at work, i only interact with people im comfortable with. i don't like meeting new people. unfriendly tngay kaayo ko para nila pero its d only way i know to stay sane.

I think, SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER NA IMO. A PRECURSOR OF PANIC ATTACK/DISORDER.

Social anxiety disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Social Anxiety Disorder