Suffering from an anxiety disorder can be frustrating, debilitating, and frightening all at the same time. A panic attack can come at you without warning at all. Anything can suddenly set off a panic attack, even while you’re doing the most trivial, everyday activities – and this has made it very difficult to pinpoint any exact cause for the spells of anxiety.
A panic attack can come very swiftly, sometimes you’ll hardly even find any significant connection between a sudden onset of anxiety and the events that had come before it.
You could simply be languidly carrying out your office work and then suddenly feel your heart racing and pounding against your chest, and you’ll find yourself struggling against another panic attack.
The physiological changes that come with a panic attack are apparent, but what some may be unable to see is that an anxiety disorder goes beyond mere physical troubles – the disorder nags at you mentally; as well as the patients have to deal with the embarrassment of the sudden display of debilitating symptoms in public places.
It is clear that a panic disorder is not something to take lightly, and so we continuously seek out the best techniques to help cope with such a challenge.
First of all, it helps to have a better understanding of the condition. Knowing where the ordeal may be coming from can help you identify better strategies on how to deal with it.
1. Genetics – Our genes dominantly dictate how our entire body acts – including our mind. If any of your blood relatives have an anxiety disorder, there is a chance you may have it as well. You cannot help it if a condition runs in your family’s blood, but it will help to learn from the experiences of your own relatives.
2. Pregnancy – Hormonal imbalances during pregnancy can precipitate psychological disturbances as well. The onslaught of hormonal changes can suddenly trigger fears and worries that hadn’t previously existed before the pregnancy. The soon-to-be mother can be overrun by panicked thoughts about her baby’s health, her personal well-being, and a number of other things. Should this happen, the mother ought to talk it out with her doctor, to help allay her fears and put her at ease.
3. Childhood Abuse – It is often natural for anyone to shut out any unpleasant memories they may have of their childhood. However, these repressed thoughts of traumatic experiences during childhood can eventually resurface in adulthood. When triggered, these can then lead to the abrupt onsets of panic attacks.
4. Poor Stress Management – Stress is an inevitable part of our lives, and we need to know how to cope with it as best as possible. If you do not employ the best strategies in coping with stress, this can lead to anxiety, and eventually intensify to panic. We need to learn not to blow our problems out of proportion or we’ll be left feeling helpless against them, causing an unnecessary panic attack.
5. Poor Diet – Not getting enough nutrients into your daily intake of food can be bad for both your physical and mental health. Many health foods contain vital nutrients that help keep our brains at their most optimum level of functioning. If you do not eat right, you may not be able to think straight as often since your brain is lacking in the nutrition it needs.
If you think you may have the disorder, get yourself some professional help on how to calm anxiety. Deciding to ignore your problem will do you no good. As you regularly experience the symptoms of the problem, you will eventually find yourself in constant anticipation of another panic attack. You are literally feeling anxious about being anxious, and will obviously lead to another panicked episode. In addition, you might even start retreating away from society itself. Because you fear the humiliation that comes with your panic attacks, you’d rather keep to yourself and screen yourself out from the rest of the world so they won’t be able to witness your ordeal. At worst, you can even develop phobias for open or crowded areas.
That’s not even all. If your body is constantly under stress, it will eventually tire itself out. Your immune system will begin to fall apart, and your body will feel exhausted as you are unable to cope with your stressors.
No matter what the cause of your panic attacks may be, do not fail to seek out professional medical advice if you suspect that you are suffering from an anxiety disorder. This will help set you off on a path to recovery by coming to terms with the condition you are dealing with.