| I was witness to a Panic Attack syndrome at home, a | | | | The good news is, that there are treatments for Panic |
| few years ago.Until then, I had not even heard of the | | | | Attacks. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, or |
| term. An elderly family member had collapsed, and had | | | | Psychotherapy are especially effective as a cure. |
| complained of feeling confused, helpless and unable to | | | | Those who learn to recognise that they need |
| breathe. Fearing that it was an early warning sign of a | | | | treatment and are willing to listen to the advise of |
| heart attack or a paralytic attack, we immediately | | | | trained doctors stand a very good chance of living a |
| rushed him to hospital, where he was put on a 24 hour | | | | life without complications. The main thing to remember |
| observation. Fortunately, all test results came clear, and | | | | is that a patient of a panic attack is not a mental |
| doctors then declared that it seemed to have been | | | | patient. However, the family needs to give unconditional |
| nothing more than a case of a 'panic attack. | | | | support to a sufferer of this problem, and always be in |
| Anxiety disorders come in various forms, like | | | | touch with the doctor, so that the panic attack does |
| depression, trauma, and panic. The good news is, that | | | | not become a chronic problem, which may escalate |
| Panic Attacks are curable. Panic Attacks may be | | | | into depression or suicidal tendencies. Cognitive |
| triggered off by a variety of reasons.Researchers | | | | Behaviour Therapy involves recognising unhelpful |
| point out biological factors like family history, | | | | patterns of thinking and reacting, and replacing them |
| environmental factors, stressful life events, and even | | | | with more helpful thoughts.Alternative treatments for |
| alcohol or drug abuse. Dr. Barbara O. Rothbaum, | | | | Panic Attack include herbal remedies, teas, essential |
| Psychiatry Professor at Emory School of Medicine, | | | | oils, acupuncture, etc. Yoga and meditation too offers |
| believes that a patient of panic disorder will react to | | | | long term cure to Panic Attack. |
| moderate pressures in the same way as if he or she | | | | Treatment is readily available for those willing to seek |
| were to be attacked by a tiger or a fall from a great | | | | it. Panic Attack cure thus encompasses a combination |
| height.In cases of a panic attack, the reactions are | | | | of psychotherapy, medication, change in lifestyle, such |
| always heightened or exaggerated, putting the patient | | | | as adhering to a healthy diet and exercise plan. If |
| at risk of a mental breakdown or from physically | | | | anyone you know is afflicted from this problem, |
| collapsing. | | | | always remember that a cure is readily available. |
| There is no definite age group that succumbs to panic | | | | Motivational and inspirational talk or literature can |
| attacks. It can happen to anyone, at any time. | | | | greatly benefit a patient. The doctor's job is to let the |
| Celebrities are known to have panic attacks just | | | | victim know that they are not alone in this world, and |
| before a show or a public appearance. The | | | | that panic attacks afflict a large percentage of people |
| background and timing of a panic attack is also | | | | the world over. |
| unpredictable: many people have reported having an | | | | Author: Ruma Sen. |
| attack while in the air, or at office, or even at home. | | | | |