Main Causes Of Stress

People who experience panic attacks describe the paralyzing effects that hold them like a vise. The symptoms of a panic attack come on suddenly, leaving a person breathless and frightened. Yet, understanding this disorder can lead to successful treatment and a life of freedom.

Panic Attacks and Paralysis

There are several connections between paralysis and panic attacks. First, there is a psychological aspect. The main feature of an attack is an unmistakable fear that overwhelms the person. This comes on suddenly and with no warning. On an emotional level, the person has feelings of choking, dying, losing control or going crazy. All of these feelings have no basis in the physical body, but come from the mind. Yet, all of these emotions are very real. At this moment in the panic attack, the mind is paralyzed by these thoughts and is unable to separate these false beliefs from reality. When a person is in a panic attack, they will not respond to assurances from well meaning friends or family to “relax” and “stay calm”. They simply can’t do that.

The second stage of paralysis associated with a panic attack comes on the physical level. Shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea or dizziness make a person incapable of moving. Since panic attacks come on suddenly, this physical paralysis, or cessation of normal movement is especially dangerous. Many people who experience repeated panic attacks eventually confine themselves to their homes for fear of getting injured in their work environment or while driving. Although a panic attack can be relatively short, from seconds to about 20 minutes, this can be a lifetime to the person who is experiencing it. Getting proper treatment for this disorder can allow people to enter life again with confidence.

Sleep Paralysis and Panic Attacks

A third connection between paralysis and panic attacks is an interesting and sometimes, little known event. Sleep paralysis is a brief period in which a person is unable to perform any voluntary movements. This condition may occur at the beginning of sleep or immediately upon awakening. It is not considered to be harmful, but does leave the person feeling very frightened. The paralysis leaves when a sound is heard or someone touches the person. Medical research has found that people who experience daytime panic attacks have a greater chance of experiencing this type of sleep paralysis as well. It’s good to remember that panic attacks can be controlled and even eliminated with a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Panic disorder can definitely be considered as one of the most common and most serious conditions in the world. People suffering from panic disorder often feel helpless and when the condition is especially serious it can make the person feel a constant state of impending doom or even death.

These people often feel as though there is nothing they can do to get better and this adds to the depression and anxiety and in turn creates a vicious cycle that can feel impossible to get out of. It is important that these people realize that there are many panic attack remedy options available and things that can be done to help treat their condition.

Finding a Panic Attack Remedy

The process of finding a panic attack remedy is one that should be taken very seriously. No single panic attack remedy is going to work well for everyone after all and so it can often be quite a lengthy and trying process just trying to find something that works.

Medication

Medication is usually the first suggestion, and although it is not expected to be used long term, the point of it is basically to help the person deal with their condition until they have dealt with it properly. There are a few different medications that are used to treat panic disorder, but antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed.

These drugs are traditionally suggested for use over a one year period, and examples of medications that are often helpful for panic disorder include Celexa, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Tofranil, Serzone, Effexor, Xanax, and Ativan.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

The more long term panic attack remedy is cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a type of therapy that is used to treat disorders such as depression, anxiety and addiction. It works by identifying irrational and distorted thoughts and learning to replace them with realistic and more helpful thoughts.

This therapy helps the person to identify the root cause of their problem and on what they can do to change their way of thinking, therefore reducing or even completely eliminating future panic attacks.

The most important thing that anyone dealing with panic disorder can do is understand that there is help out there and things that they can do to feel better and to relieve or even completely eliminate their attacks. People in this situation often feel helpless but the most important thing is to find the right help and have someone there working with you to properly treat your condition.