cure panic attacks

Learning how to cure panic attacks is essential for sufferers; left unchecked they can cause other disorders and even result in the sufferer withdrawing from normal daily activities. While this article is meant to be informative and helpful if you are a sufferer, or suspect that you might be I strongly urge you to find a qualified professional to help you stop your panic attacks.

Panic attacks are extremely disturbing for sufferers, it is very difficult for non sufferers to understand how somebody can allow themselves to become so (For want of better words) ‘freaked out’ in any given situation when a panic attack happens. These overwhelming feelings will arise suddenly and without warning and will result in feelings that span the spectrum from apprehension right up to being incredibly terrifying for the victim.

Before we look into methods for overcoming panic attacks we should first take a look at the most common symptoms.

• Increased heart rate and/or heart palpitations
• Pain or discomfort in the chest region
• Feeling like you want to be sick
• Hot flushes
• Cold flushes
• Dizziness, light headedness or feeling faint
• Perspiring
• Breathlessness or feeling smothered
• Tingling or burning sensations
• derealization
• Shaking or trembling
  

Listed below are some of the more popular methods to alleviate or cure panic attacks, each of these methods has its place and all can be helpful.

I personally do not recommend medication to stop and/or alleviate panic attacks. Medication will only provide temporary relief and may actually result in further problems such as addiction if not used correctly. I do however feel that they should be covered as they can provide temporary relief while other avenues of panic attack cures are investigated. It goes without saying that you should consult a medical professional before taking medications of any kind.

• Beta Blockers

Beta blockers are primarily for use in treating heart conditions but can be useful to temporarily give relief from some of the physical aspects of panic attacks. Beta blockers may help to alleviate physical symptoms of panic attacks such as a racing heart, perspiration and dizziness.

• Anti anxiety medications

These are mainly benzodiazepines which are a form of sedative. Benzodiazepines are relaxants which will begin working almost immediately after being taken, however they are only usually prescribed for short term use due to the fact that they have an addictive quality, users can build a tolerance and once the course of treatment ends there is a possibility that they will also go through withdrawal symptoms.

• Anti depressant medications

There are a few different classes of anti depressant medication which may be effective in helping to stop panic attacks, the main 3 are Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, (SSRIs) Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, (SNRIs) and lastly Tricyclics.
Anti depressant medications are thought to help alleviate anxiety related problems by altering the chemical balances in the brain that are related to the affliction.

Here are some basic methods which you could use today which may help you to stop panic attacks from ever starting, try a variety of them as different people will be more responsive to different things.

• Deep breathing

Learn to breath from your diaphragm, one of the most natural remedies for anxiety. Diaphragmatic breathing will help you to keep calm and relaxed and will also supply your brain with the oxygen it needs.

Although it may sound silly, carrying a paper bag with you to use for breathing into when you feel a panic attack may be coming on could be helpful until you master diaphragmatic breathing.

• Thought redirection with games
  

This is a simple method to stop panic attacks which may even turn out to be fun!

If you are starting to feel uncomfortable try this out:

Where ever you are, take a look at your surroundings and start to list the items one by one. The rules are that each item you list must start with the last letter of the previous word that you listed.

So, for example sitting here at my computer the first thing I see is my monitor so that's where I'll start. Next up I need an object beginning with 'R' because monitor ends in 'R' (Is this explanation insultingly in depth yet? :-D)

Hmm, this is taking longer than I thought! 'R'. . .

. . .Remote control!

'L'. . . Laptop. 'p'. . .

And so on. This method will redirect your thoughts away from any negatives that may be going on and into the game instead, thus reducing the chances that your thoughts will lead to a panic attack.

This game could also be played in a tag manner with people who understand what your situation is to add an extra level. Why not try it using the rule that you can't use objects with the letter 'O' in them to add more depth to the thought processes you have to use to play. Keep track of the amount of words you have gone through so far, got a record? Try to beat it then. Adding more facets to the game like this can only help to draw your thoughts away from negatives. Enjoy it and play with the rules!

• Self hypnosis

While I am not qualified to teach in this area, experience tells me that self hypnosis is an extremely valuable tool in any area which you want to change your thought processes for the better. Search the internet and you are likely to find free hypnosis material to help you out. Do your homework and check the backgrounds of the people supplying the material first as not all hypnotherapist products are created equally, free or otherwise. Neither are they a replacement for actually going to visit a hypnotherapist live.

One man I will recommend in this area is Stephen Brooks (A student of the legendary Milton Erickson) who owns www.british-hypnosis-research.com/. I had the good fortune to be able to study under this man for a short period in London when I was going through a 'learn hypnosis' phase and recommend him 110% as a hypnotherapist who knows his stuff. Look into his history and you will find him to be of good character.

A good cognitive behaviour therapist will help you to cure panic attacks by helping you to identify the thought patterns that you are having which cause the attacks in the first place and then changing these distorted thinking patterns.

Even though you may believe that panic attacks just come out of nowhere this is simply not true, panic attacks are a product of your own thoughts. Helping you to gain mastery over these thoughts and change them to something empowering rather than destructive is the outcome that a cognitive behaviour therapist will try to achieve.

If the information here was helpful to you in any way or if you think there are other methods that should be addressed, please leave a comment outlining what worked for you and why or what you would like to see included.

It may help future readers in their choices of how to proceed in finding help to cure panic attacks themselves.