Anxiety And Panic Disorders - How To Deal With The Double Disaster

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/74Um2)

Anxiety disorders and panic disorders can cause some truly awful feelings and symptoms. The symptoms of a panic attack can be extremely uncomfortable, such as dizziness, heavy sweating, hard breathing, and uncontrollable shaking. A panic attack is an exaggerated version of the human fight-or-flight response to danger. When you have a panic disorder, you may experience all these symptoms even though there is no actual danger to trigger it. An anxiety attack, on the other hand, has symptoms that often mirror those of a heart attack, including chest discomfort, tingling or numbness in the extremities, and an impending sense of doom. It is unfortunately all too easy for a panic attack to trigger an anxiety attack, or vice versa.


What Are Anxiety Disorders?


An anxiety disorder is present any time some form of anxiety interferes with your daily life. For example, you may be too nervous to go to the store one day, but be fine the next. People with anxiety disorders may develop various phobias, like claustrophobia. But in almost all cases, anxiety disorders are linked to specific fears of activities, situations, or events.


What About Panic Disorders?


In addition to the often differing symptoms when compared to anxiety disorders, panic disorders are usually diagnosed when these symptoms suddenly start and stop with no discernible trigger. This is extremely disheartening to the sufferer, since they cannot seem to control the onset of these symptoms, or avoid any noticeable triggers.


Anxiety and Panic Disorders Together


It is not uncommon for panic disorders to lead to the development of anxiety disorders, due to the constant stress and fear of having a panic attack. Often the panic attack will start being a trigger for an anxiety attack, and soon progresses to the point that the worry over having another panic attack is in itself triggering another anxiety attack.


Living With Anxiety and Panic Disorders


It can be extremely difficult to live a normal life if you suffer from either or both of these conditions. Even things like commuting to work become hazardous, as a sudden panic attack can make it difficult or impossible to drive safely. A sudden panic attack in the office can be both embarrassing and interfere with your work.


The biggest thing to keep in mind is that even though the symptoms of anxiety and panic disorders can be frightening, they don't actually cause physical harm. Think calming thoughts, and avoid dwelling on the symptoms. If you suspect you have an panic or anxiety disorder, you should visit your doctor. There may be medication that, in conjunction with therapy, can greatly ease or eliminate your anxiety disorder or panic disorder. Take up meditation, and try to eliminate as much stress from your life as you can. If you are working too hard, take time off regularly to relax and reflect. These are just a few of the things you can do to help reduce the effects of an anxiety or panic disorder.