| Sometimes we can be overcome by anxiety very | | | | very emotional and have difficulty concentrating. The |
| quickly, and it can be so intense that it it is best | | | | condition can be very scary, and sometimes they |
| described as a panic attack. We all face a situation | | | | occur one after another so that you will suffer |
| where we feel some anxiety, such as speaking in | | | | repeated attacks that that can last between two |
| public, going to a place we are not familiar with, walking | | | | minutes and an hour. |
| through a dark alley, just to name a few. The reaction | | | | Constant panic attacks can lead to phobias, in other |
| that we have to this anxiety may be mild or it can be | | | | words, if you suffer from an attack while you are |
| more severe. Sweating, feeling nauseous, having an | | | | driving, this might lead to a fear of driving which can |
| increased heart rate, dizziness, cold chills or hot flashes, | | | | lead to much more serious consequences. If you |
| visual changes (seeing spots) are all symptoms of an | | | | commute to work by driving and are no longer to get |
| attacks. A racing heartbeat is probably the most | | | | behind the wheel, you may be forced to quit that job |
| reported panic attack symptom. | | | | and take a lower paying one that you don't have to |
| Although a panic attack symptom can be | | | | drive to. Sometimes attacks are caused by economic |
| uncomfortable, usually it is not dangerous. One | | | | stress. You find yourself sitting down at the table one |
| example - your heart beating faster when you feel | | | | night looking at your finances and you realize you don't |
| panic or anxiety is your body's way of getting blood to | | | | have enough to cover the bills for the month. Finances |
| the muscles in the legs and arms to prepare you for | | | | can be a huge stressor and if you are prone to panic |
| the "flight" response so that you can run away from a | | | | attacks, they can be a leading cause. |
| dangerous situation. This is one of the mechanisms in | | | | If you experience a panic attack symptom, there is a |
| "fight, flight or freeze". When we feel extreme anxiety | | | | wide array of help and treatments available. You may |
| or a panic attack, our brain automatically causes | | | | need to see your doctor to get a referral to |
| changes in our bodies that increase our ability to | | | | psychiatric counseling. Certain medications known as |
| defend against a situation ("fight"), get away from | | | | beta blockers can ease the attacks but they are only |
| danger ("flight") or remain still enough to avoid being | | | | a temporary crutch. There are also many relaxation |
| detected by a source of danger ("freeze"). | | | | techniques and drug free solutions that are available, |
| A severe attack will make you feel such terror and | | | | you just need to explore your options and keep an |
| fear that you will think that you are either having a | | | | open mind. The most important step is to realize that |
| nervous breakdown or you are going to die. You may | | | | you need some help and then find the appropriate |
| feel dizzy and possibly lose consciousness. Your vision | | | | resources. |
| may be affected, you might see spots, you may feel | | | | |