Anxiety & Panic Attacks

Many people around the world suffer from anxiety and panic attacks.  These can take on many forms from social anxiety to agrophobia.  Some people develop more than one type of anxiety and panic attack which can result in a restricted life for them and their loved ones.  Everything is treatable and please do not think that you are alone.

People find it very hard to cope with anxiety and panic attacks especially if the logical part of their brain is saying 'this does not make sense'. You may be on your way out and it hits you like an imaginary bus, disabling you to continue. There were symptoms before this moment, but at the start people find them hard to recognise. I want to help you see them and try and stop the panic attack before it gets a chance to thrive.

Anxiety and panic attacks are connected to a level of depression. You do not have to be crying all the time to be depressed, this too takes on many levels but ones you should recognise before they get out of hand. Depression is not something you catch or an illness you can 'snap out of', (much to popular belief) it is a chemical imbalance in the brain. Once these chemicals become out of line, they need realigning. Most people do go to their doctor for this help and are prescribed anti-depressants. The problem with anti-depressants is the taboo attached to them. If you are taking them, people still today, think that they are a way of shutting down your brain leaving you emotionless but unable to carry on with life. This does not have to be the case. There are low doses of anti-depressants that allow the user to make a gradual change for the better. Which type you need would be totally dependant on your doctors decision and I do not wish to state what is right or wrong for you but please get help if you think you need it. If you do not want to see your doctor, there are other avenues like Big White Wall or NHS Direct where you can get help too.

Anixety and panic attacks can creep up on you slowly and only when you sit down and look at an 'attack' can you really identify the lead up. While you are reading this, try thinking about your last attack. As I have said before there are many symptoms, so if I miss yours out, please let me know and I will add them in. Main symptoms can include:

• light headedness/dizzyness
• body sweats and over heating
• sense of panic/urgency
• stomach cramps
• vomitting
• excessive use of the toilet
• fainting

The symptoms can start one at a time which is why people can dismiss them as nothing. They are not to be confused with nerves which can also bring on similar symptoms. With nerves, you can carry on with that task in hand but with anxiety and panic attacks, the sense of panic and the urgent need to get away from a situation it so overpowering, it can be out of your control.

When you sense any type of symptom, you need to stop and take check of your surroundings. As you start a panic attack, your heart rate can speed up which is what induces most of the symptoms so it is important you try and keep your body calm. Sit down and close your eyes and breathe deeply. Try this simple 4 step breathing technique which I learnt in cognitive behavioural therapy:

• Breath in deeply, counting to 4 slowly
• Hold it, counting to 4 slowly
• Breathe out, counting to 4 slowly
• Repeat 4 times

The idea is that is reduces the heart rate and keeps the flow of oxygen regular around the body. This in turn stops the onset of fainting, dizzy feelings, nausea etc.

All attacks have a pattern and if you can break that pattern then you are one step closer. It is not easy but the rewards will speak for themselves.