Conquer Your Anxiety and Panic Attack Symptoms

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Most of us have faced a bout or two with personal anxieties and fear. It goes with the territory in a rapidly changing, unstable society. Too many irons in the fire could lead to a burnout. That’s a prospect we accept, never really believing it will happen to us.

When it does it can destroy a life, a relationship and a future

Many of us thrive on relentless and persistent anxiety, while others reach a point when they find their fears and anxieties overwhelming and debilitating.

This happened to Louise Daniels:

Successful business entrepreneurs, Bruno and Louise Daniels were exact opposites Bruno perpetually looked for challenging ways to increase business. He loved to entertain and was an avid golfer and tennis player. Louise dreamed of a more serene existence. Her goal was to retire early and downsize the pressure

Bruno’s success at bringing more business to their company resulted in more work for Louise “He brings in the business; I have to get it done,” Louise said. “Sometimes I just can’t get out of bed. I don’t want to face anyone.”

Louise was weepy and nervous most of the time. Bruno felt this was her way of manipulating him to feel guilty. Conflict lead to repeated arguments which resulted in more anxiety for Louise

The most difficult aspect of an anxiety disorder is that it’s almost impossible for significant others who are able to cope with their own anxieties to understand just how debilitating an anxiety can be for the person suffering from one. Phobias, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post traumatic stress syndromes and generalized anxiety disorders are very real conditions that aren’t just in a sufferer’s mind. They grapple as much from having the disorder, as from the stigma attached to it and the feeling of being alone, misunderstood … and even blamed, can be terrifying and crippling.

No one has a disorder on purpose. It’s not something they develop in order to get even or to win an argument.

In an attempt to educate families and to encourage sufferers to seek help, the Anxiety Disorder Association of American (www.adaa.org) has developed a series of fact sheets, along with a self-test designed to help people assess the seventy of their anxieties. The test is based on guidelines taken from the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” and asks respondents to evaluate whether they have been troubled with repeated, unexpected panic attacks, during which they suddenly were overcome by intense fear or discomfort for no apparent reason The test, for example, asks whether you:

Have powerful and ongoing fear of social situations involving unfamiliar people?

Fear of places or situations where getting help or escape might be difficult, such as in a crowd or an elevator, or on a bridge?

Experience persistent and unreasonable fear of an object or situation, such as flying, heights, animal’s blood?

Feel restless, easily tired and/or distracted?

Have tense muscles or problems sleeping?

Have constant worries about things before they happen, or constant concern about your job, your family or activities?

Anxiety disorders are often discounted because most of us can respond affirmatively to many of the above questions. Everyone has had trouble sleeping, at times or has felt restless and tired. The severity, frequency and persistence is what makes the difference.

A “disorder” exists when the degree of a person’s discomfort renders him or her incapable of interacting harmoniously and happily with the people in his or her life, or coping effectively with the events confronting them on a daily basis.

Diagnosis and treatment can be complicated and delayed by the existence of more than one disorder. Substance abuse and clinical depression often co-exist in patients with an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders can be as disruptive as physical ailments, and relationships can degenerate because of the failure of significant others to honestly confront the issue.

Anxiety disorders can, and should, be treated. Generally, therapists use a combination of therapies including behavior modification to help the patient modify and gain control over unwanted behavior; cognitive therapy in which little therapist helps to change unproductive thought patterns into productive patterns; medication to help restore the chemical imbalances that may have lead to symptoms and relaxation techniques designed to help resolve stresses that can contribute to anxiety.

Treatment periods vary. Recovery is not a matter of a person’s will to get better. Some people get better after a few months of treatment. Others need a year or more.

The family can help by recognizing that the recovery process itself can become a source of tension as it changes exiting relationships. Measure progress based on individual improvement not against some text book standard. Praise small accomplishment and modify expectations during stressful periods.