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There are numerous kinds of anxiety disorders, however the main unchanging characteristic is the irrational and excessive need to worry and the fear. Panic attacks occur at random and frequently for those who suffer from anxiety disorder. When they occur, they cause headaches, nausea, tremors and irrational fear and nervousness.
Approximately 20 million adults and children in the States suffer from some form of anxiety disorder, and it is a very common problem. There are a variety of triggers for the different types of anxiety disorders, but here are 5 tips to help you cope with the panic attacks that will occur.
Tip #1: Learn to Relax
Calming yourself down can help you to lessen the effects of panic attack symptoms, such as migraine and sweating. By concentrating on yourself and blocking out all negative feelings and the environment around you, you can calm down your body and breathing. This will lessen the severity of the symptoms, but should not be used as an alternative from proper medical treatment.
Meditation is also another way to help you to calm down, and it is useful to practice this regular in the morning or at night. This will help you learn to relax your body and mind. Set aside some time for yourself to relax and unwind daily, and this will lessen the build up of stress and tension from your work or life.
Tip #2: Seek the Right Treatment
There are a variety of treatments available for anxiety disorders, and it is important to choose the proper one as different treatments are more effective for different types. Medication can prevent the symptoms, but it is not a quick cure, and has a lot of side effects which are often severe. Cognitive and behavioral therapy is more suited in this case as it helps you come to terms with the root of your anxiety attacks, and will help you to overcome your disorder.
Tip #3: Change your Lifestyle
Exercise regularly at least twice a week, to help get your body fit again. There are many forms of exercise to choose from, and possible suggestions include brisk walking or swimming. Your diet also plays a big role, and you should try to maintain a well balanced diet. Reduce your intake of processed foods and high sugar snacks. Substances such as alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine are also not encouraged as they act as either stimulants or depressants, and can trigger your panic attacks. If you feel that your job is too stressful, consider changing to one that is more relaxed instead. After all, your health is wealth.
Tip #4: Seek Support
It is unhealthy to bottle up your emotions, and it is advised that you share your feelings and experiences with the people around you. Make known to them about your problem, and how you are going about trying to cope and recover. They may have good suggestions, and if nothing else, they can help to support you emotionally. Support groups and professional counseling is also a viable alternative. Talking about your anxiety will also help you to come to terms with it, and understand the causes of your panic attacks better.
Tip #5: Self Monitoring
Take some time out to chill out and unwind, and make sure your body and mind is calm. Formulate a list of the causes of your panic attacks, and try to identify what sparks them off. Once you have done that, you can look for an appropriate solution, whether it is facing the problem or simply avoiding being in such a situation again. |