Despite what some people might say, can an anxiety attack kill you? anxiety attacks are real, and they can be quite debilitating if left untreated. However, there’s no need to panic; it’s possible to manage and even overcome your anxiety through the right approach, which can save you from the harmful effects of an anxiety attack in the long run. Here’s all you need to know about how panic attacks affect your health and what you can do about them.
What is a Panic Attack:
A panic Attack refers to a sudden state of intense terror, in which the individual experiences a variety of physical symptoms and may faint or lose consciousness. Panic Attacks can be caused by many factors, but most often they are triggered by a feeling of loss of control or fear. There are five levels of a panic attack, as described by The American Psychiatric Association:
- Mild Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Social Phobia
- Specific Phobia
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Warning Signs of a Panic Attack:
If someone is experiencing a panic attack, there are some key symptoms that are common to all: shallow breathing, rapid heart rate, feelings of being out of control or in danger, and feelings of being suffocated or unable to breathe. Additionally, there can be warning signs before the full-blown experience including pins and needles in the fingers or toes. If you’re feeling any of these symptoms please see a doctor as soon as possible to find out if they’re really related to a panic attack.
How to Manage Anxiety Attacks:
Most people who experience anxiety will have what is called a panic attack, which includes feelings of fear, trembling, or breathlessness. Panic attacks can be treated with simple remedies such as breathing exercises or having someone talk to the person during the event. But long-term chronic conditions are a sign that something more serious might be happening in your life, and it’s important to figure out what this could be so you can take appropriate steps toward healing.
How to Manage Anxiety Attacks:
- Recognize the early signs of an attack before they get worse. An early warning sign is an intense dread or physical symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, or hot flashes. When these signs come on try to sit down, breathe deeply and calm yourself by imagining soothing scenes like walking on a beach or taking a deep bath.
- Seek help from professionals if needed. There are many ways to deal with anxiety attacks including medication (prescribed by doctors), professional therapy sessions (therapists trained in how to help clients deal with emotional difficulties), counseling (helping individuals find solutions for problems), and support groups (organized meetings where individuals share experiences). All these options provide different levels of assistance depending on how severe your condition is and how much assistance you need. It’s important to know that not all treatments work for everyone, but there are ways to determine which one will work best for you through trial and error.
Getting Professional Help:
If an anxiety attack can feel like a nightmare, living with one every day can turn your life into a living hell. For the estimated 40 million people who suffer from severe depression or generalized anxiety disorder, treatment is crucial. But before you get professional help, there are some things you should know:
1) You don’t have to go through this alone – while it may seem that way, they understand what’s happening. They know what to say, how to react and most importantly they’ll take care of all of the what-ifs.
2) There are many different types of treatments available: counseling, medication (often in conjunction with counseling), meditation/breathing exercises, etc.
Getting Out of Panic Mode:
The physical effects of a panic attack may be different for everyone but can include chest pain, blurred vision, a feeling of choking, or difficulty breathing. If you are in the midst of a panic attack, take these four steps to ease back into calm:
- Take deep breaths.
- Engage in a soothing activity like listening to music or taking a walk in nature; trying not to engage with anything upsetting while doing so will help keep things calm.
- Reach out to someone supportive who will be there for you through this difficult time.
- Practice grounding techniques like mindfulness that are specifically designed to calm anxious feelings when they come up again in the future.
