It is a fact that having only one or two episodes of panic attacks in your lifetime is considered normal, but if you have had several panic attacks and have spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, then you may have developed a chronic condition called Panic Disorder. Panic disorder dramatically changes the personality of a person because it can develop a wide variety of maladaptive behaviors. However, there are ways you can stop panic attacks.
People frequently experience thoughts or feelings that reinforce a multifaceted faulty belief that can trigger anxiety and panic attacks. Such beliefs can consequently cause the person to have difficult and problematical behaviors that can affect several life areas, including family, friends, romantic relationships, work, and academics. If you want to stop panic attacks then you should know what panic attacks are.
Knowing What Panic Attacks Are
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear or a sense of impending doom or death that develops for no evident reason, which then triggers severe physical reactions to the body. It is distinguished from other forms of anxiety by its intensity and their sudden, episodic nature. To stop panic attacks is not an easy thing to do for some people, because panic attacks can catch people off-guard since they occur very quickly and without any admonition.
It occurs at any time of the day – when you’re riding a bus, or after having a shower, etc. This can be really frightening to others because they may think they’re already dying as these attacks mimic the bodily symptoms of having a heart attack.
More often than not, having and experiencing the said attack, the sufferer would find themselves rushing to the emergency room for treatment once an attack occurs so that they would be able to stop the panic attack. Some of the symptoms may include hyperventilation, chest pain, tightness in your throat, dysphagia, difficulty of breathing, sweating, rapid heart beat and dizziness. Some people also suffer from tunnel vision, mostly due to blood flow leaving the head to more critical parts of the body like the heart as part of the body’s negative response.
Stopping panic attacks may be hard at first, but with help and support from people around you will help you gradually cure panic attacks. To stop panic attacks, you also need to determine to help yourself in overcoming your fear and anxiety.
Panic Attack Treatments To Successfully Stop Panic Attacks
One effective treatment and intervention is the psychotherapy. An example of psychological therapy is the cognitive – behavioral therapy. This combination is the most effective to stop panic attacks compared to behavioral therapy alone. With this, it aims to solve problems concerning dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and cognitions through a goal-oriented systematic procedure in the present.
It helps the patient understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors. It can ultimately lead to self-discovery and insight that is an essential part of the treatment process. Other therapies may include relaxation therapy, group therapy, expressive therapy, etc. All of theses therapies can help, especially when used together.