Helping with Panic Attacks
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America reported that there are about 40 million adults in USA of age 18 and above that are suffering from anxiety disorders. These are not only the panic attacks, but the panic disorders and agoraphobia as well. There are many people that are suffering silently and do not consult any medical expertise.
There are misconceptions about the treatment of panic attacks. Few believe in taking deep breaths while experiencing the attack, while they are already hyperventilating. The experts are of the view that a shallow breathing in a regular manner helps the stream of air to come through the nose.
Another fallacy is about the occurrence of the attack suddenly, which is totally wrong. There are physiological signals appearing just before the attacks. Researchers at the Southern Methodist University found that the hour before the panic attack is marked by the significant changes in the cardiac activity and breathing pattern. It is happening during the attack as well.
There is heart rate acceleration due to the physiological instabilities and results in change in breathing pattern and carbon dioxide level. It makes breathing shallower and increase in the carbon dioxide level and ultimately the symptoms of the panic attack start appearing including dizziness, short of breathiness and air hunger.
Most of the times, people are afraid of the very thought of suffering from the panic attack. There is significant changing in the heart and breathing rate, but never crossed the damaging levels. The self help therapies and the medication sessions are the effective ways of reducing the panic attacks. The therapies include the cognitive behavioral and exposure therapy. The medications are for the temporary control and with its help; the patients can reduce the symptoms, but is not a cure for the panic attacks. Only the patient's will power can make it stop from happening. The art to have a control is something desirable in this state.
Various factors like psychological, biological and physiological are the cause of this panic syndrome and every person has its own understanding of how and why they panic. It's all about overcoming the fear factor.
