Remedies for Depression

Archive for the ‘Depression And Panic Attacks’ Category

One of the worst things about a panic attack is that its symptoms often mirror other health conditions, so it might take a while for you to realize that your suffering is caused by anxiety and nervousness and you might not receive the proper treatment. Even if you have never suffered from a panic attack before, it is important that you learn about the symptoms of an attack. This way, should you start exhibiting any of these symptoms you can ask yourself if they are related to your mental or your physical health?

Here is a list of the most common panic attack symptoms

· Chest pain

· Feeling light headed or dizzy

· Feeling intense fear of losing control

· Feeling intense fear of embarrassment

· Feeling like you have lost touch with your surroundings (or the people in them)

· An impending feeling of doom or that something terrible is going to happen

· Feeling like you are about to die

· Heart palpitations

· Heart beats too fast

· Pounding heartbeat

· Cold or hot flashes

· Sweating

· Trembling

· Upset or uncomfortable stomach

· Nausea or Diarrhea

· Tingling or numbness in your feet or hands

· Tingling lips and or/numbness around your mouth

· The feeling of being suffocated

· Hyperventilation

· Cramping and/or curling of fingers and toes

Many of these symptoms are associated with other physical conditions like a heart attack or the stomach flu. When you start to feel these symptoms it is important that you learn how to take a step back and ask yourself why you might be feeling these symptoms. Learn some relaxation techniques and practice them when you feel the onset of panic attack symptoms. If the symptoms go away, you were having a panic attack. If there is still pain or discomfort (but you no longer feel out of control), you are likely having a physical problem and should see a doctor.

If you have a relative that suffers from panic or anxiety attacks on a regular basis, it is likely that you will also experience them in your lifetime as well. Of course, the only person who can diagnose you with an anxiety disorder is a mental health professional. If you think that you might be at risk for an anxiety disorder or you start to notice panic attack symptoms happening on a regular basis, you should find a good counselor.

Together you, your counselor, your friends and your family can work to figure out the best way to help you prevent as well as work through an attack. It is very important that you tell your friends and family about the panic attack symptoms so that they can be on the alert for them. Sometimes you might not be able to calm yourself down, but another person will have success.

Learning to recognize the signs and the symptoms is the best way to stay in control of your anxiety.

Statistics in the past year, indicated between 10 to 12 % people suffered some form of panic attack. Some the most common related terms are given in the list below.

- General Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Attack Disorder
- Anxiety Panic Disorder
- Peformance Anxiety
- Anxiety Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder

Panic attacks make up the number-one problem facing men and women and is second only to alcohol and drug-related problem. As a reponse to stressful situations, like examinations, public speaking, worry of layoffs, up goes anxiety. Such heightened disorder, has become a normal occurrence affecting one out of three persons in the past year.

Symtoms of Anxiety Panic Disorder
Panic attack disorder symptoms include shortness of breath, a choking feeling, heart palpitations, sweating, shaking and trembling, chest pains, dizziness, hot flashes or cold chills, feeling of unreality (such as being in a fog, on the moon, in mid air), and fear of dying, or losing control.

Panic attacks which can come unexpectedly, with at least six or seven of the symptoms you have just read, escalates quickly will subsides within minutes. On the other hand, anxiety panic disorder builds up gradually and is not sudden and unexpected, symptoms are fewer and milder.

Anxiety Panic Disorder is an emergency response

In general anxiety disorder is not that bad though. It keeps us primed, as if it trains us to be always on our toes. It also keeps us psychologically alert, an emergency response. Proper exercises can be good to ensure things may start to get nasty.

When we are engulfed in our ‘panic room’, we have one of two choices. We can either face it or get away from it. This is better known as the “fight” or “flight” response. Given a choice, would you face it and experience its full impact, or would you rather retreat or run away from it?

If we equate panic to fear (the two are similar in a lot of ways), the easy way out is to avoid it. But there is always a great chance (and you can be sure of it) that it will haunt you again and again. Whatever that fear is, literally speaking, this will keep you on the run and you will always be checking and looking behind you, cowering from it. The more you run away from it, the more it will chase you and make fun of you. It will be like a ghost running after you!

Given this kind of a situation, it is apparently more logical to face panic attacks. But do not “fight” the symptoms of any attack. Try to “flow” with the symptoms and allow yourself to become calm. Keep reminding yourself that what you are experiencing is a natural emergency response.

The more experiences you get out of it, the more confident you become. And when you are confident, what you used to fear will not make you fearful anymore. You will get immune to it. The more instances you are able to handle it, the more capable you will be each time it occurs, like practice. Practice makes perfect. In the end, you will perfect the art of handling your condition, from fearing it to handling it remarkably in a positive way. That’s an achievement.

Now, let’s go back to the point where you still dread panic attacks with a question you might raise that goes: “Just how am I supposed to face a anxiety panic disorder knowing all too well it might subdue and eat me out of my guts?” The answer: “You don’t do anything about it. Just let it be. Let it run its entire course and just experience it”. But then you may ask: “What if I don’t survive it?” The answer: “You will definitely survive it.

Keep this in mind. This experience is a state of mind, an apprehension. It is just imagined. There is no way a person will experience a brush on something like a heart attack, a coma, or even death because this condition is not life threatening. There is never a recorded case of a person who has died as a result of anxiety. Rest your mind to the fact that this condition is not a physical ailment, even with the physical manifestations like sweating, palpitations, stomach cramps, and all that. You will be able to face and experience its full impact without any life-threatening effects. Bring it on”. This is the attitude you must adopt the next time you have a bout with it.

Say silently inside your head “I am becoming calm….It’s a matter of minutes only. I can handle it as I have handled it before. . .I am calm and steady. ” Like we must always believe, “if you think you can - then you can”.

Thank you for reading.

Panic and anxiety attacks are problems that affect a large number of people. They can be somewhat scary but for most people they are relatively mild and don’t occur all that often. A panic attack may happen a few times, but it is usually not a chronic problem.
Panic disorders, on the other hand, can be much more severe. People who suffer from these disorders live in constant fear and anxiety, for ongoing periods of time.
The symptoms of isolated panic attacks and chronic disorder are much the same. A disorder is more difficult to deal with because part of what makes it worse is the constant worrying about when the next attack will come. This makes the attack that much more severe, and the viscious cycle continues to get worse.
Panic disorder needs to be treated as quickly as possible. If it isn’t treated properly, it will continue to escalate and can lead to a condition called agoraphobia, where the sufferer remains housebound because of their fear of having an attack while in public situations.
These panic disorders affect a wide age group. They can show up in the teenage years right through adulthood. Major stresses or changes in a person’s life can sometimes trigger them. The effects of panic can range from mild to very serious, in some cases causing social withdrawal and the earlier mentioned agoraphobia.
Symptoms of both panic attacks and panic disorders include the following:
- Chest pains
- Dizziness and/or lightheadedness
- Elevated heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and other stomach problems
- Shaking or trembling
- Difficulty breathing
- Tingling sensation in your extremeties
Panic disorders also often include the following symptoms:
- Lingering worry
- Fear of the next panic attack
- Depression
- Social withdrawal
While the symptoms of panic attacks and disorders are similar, the effect they can have on a person’s life is vastly different. In either case, however, it is best to discuss the problem with your doctor. They will be able to give you a more thorough diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment plan.

Anxiety attacks and Panic attacks is the most common emotional disorder and is actually more common than the bipolar disorder, OCD, schizophrenia, and depression. One out of 75 people worldwide will experience a panic attack at one point in their lifetime. Anxiety is a fairly normal reaction to stress. It helps an individual deal with stressful situations in any situation.Generally, it helps an individual cope. However, when anxiety becomes an excessive, irrational fear of everyday situations, it has become a disabling disorder. The attacks that come from these fears are panic attacks.When that fear becomes too much, an attack can occur. These attacks come without warning and without any particular reason. It is a far more intense feeling, then solely feeling “stressed”.ANXIETY PANIC ATTACK SYMPTOMSThis may make you feel stressed, which could cause a panic attack. So how can you tell if you’re having a panic attack?Listed below are the most common Anxiety Panic Attack Symptoms * A Rapid heart beat * Intense Sweating * Shaking visibly or feeling shaky on the inside * The feeling of a “lump” in your throat, or choking sensations * Shortness of breath * Chest pain or discomfort * Nausea or abdominal discomfort * Extreme Dizziness * Feeling light-headed * Derealisation (feeling unreal or dreamy) * Fear of losing control or going crazy * Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations) in face, extremities or body * Chills or hot flashes * Skin losing color * Feelings of dying, In severe anxiety panic attacks you may feel like you are actually dying. This is however,the worst symptom you can have.

Treatment can include prescribed medications, but most people prefer more natural cures for anxiety. There are vast amounts natural methods of preventing anxiety panic attack symptoms that have helped millions of people take control of their lives. To quit living in fear of their disorder, and be free of their symptoms.

Last year, there were some 40 million Americans treated for anxiety and panic disorders. If you are one of the many who are experiencing sever panic attacks on a regular basis, there are treatment options available that can reduce or eliminate the panic attacks. Don’t let panic attacks rule your life any longer. Read on to learn about some of the panic attack medications available.
The most commonly prescribed panic attack medication is one of the various forms of antidepressants. These medications help to keep your anxiety and stress levels down to a manageable level. They also help with any depression conditions you may have, which is not uncommon in anxiety disorder patients. There is a chemical imbalance in your brain that is responsible for the magnified effects of everyday stresses. Two main neurotransmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine) are related to your mood, and these are the chemicals targeted by antidepressants.
While most antidepressants work by correcting the levels of these neurotransmitters in your brain, how they go about it can be completely different from product to product. The panic attack medications Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac are all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan are all a class of antidepressant called benzodiazapines. Norpramin, Anafranil, and Tofranil are tricyclic antidepressants. Parnate and Nardil are both monomine oxidase inhibitors. These last two types are prescribed much more rarely nowadays than the first two classifications of antidepressant. Knowing what type of antidepressant you are currently taking is very important, as some other medications, even over-the-counter ones, can react badly with certain classes of antidepressant. Always ask your doctor about any possible drug interactions.
All of these panic attack medications, while usually quite effective, can have some unpleasant side effects. Usually these side effects are most pronounced if your dosage is too high, they can occur at any dosage. The more common side effects of antidepressants include: dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, blurred vision, sexual problems, nausea, heart palpitations, racing heart, weight gain, nightmares, insomnia, and nervousness. While some of these side effects may be better than having panic attacks, if they are too much they can cause more stress than the medications relieve. If at any time you feel that the side effects are just too much, you should discuss changing your medication with your doctor.
Remember, everyone is different. All medication do not effect everybody the same way. What works for one person may not work for you, and it can take time and effort to find the panic attack medications that work best for you. Your doctor may have to change your panic attack medication several times, but with so many different antidepressant and dosages available to try odds are good that you will find the medications that work for you. And once you have found the panic attack medications that best control your symptoms, don’t stop taking them just because you are feeling better. The medicines just deal with the symptoms, they are not a final cure for your panic disorder.

It has been discovered that setraline introduced is very effective as it helps individuals in reducing the depression and anxiety he / she undergoes. It is also efficient for the people who undergo panic attacks. There are many other medications too that can be taken to overcome this panic attack, but setraline is suggested as it is less prone to side affects.
The most widely used medicine for the panic attacks are the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that comprises of the medications such as the Prozac, Zolosoft or Sertraline and Paxil. Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin and Valium are the Benzodiapines; The Try cyclic antidepressants such as the Parnate, Nardil, Marplanm, and monoamine oxidize the inhibitors like the Norpramin, Anafranil, and Tofranil. The Benzodiazepines and the SSRIs are found to be largely effective in treating this panic attacks. Sertraline is considered the best medication amongst all the other drugs.
A research was conducted by the Pohl RB, and
They have reported to the American Journal of Psychiatry that Sertraline in the treating the panic disorder is a double bind multicentred trail. In the year 1998, an issue proved that sertraline is the best medicament. The double bind research was randomized and there was a parallel group designed to ensure that the outcomes are valid and consistent. This team compared the Sertraline to that of a sob. A horde of 168 patients suffering from panic attacks were estranged into two sets. One group received the Sertraline and the other got the placebo. The set which got the sertraline as the drug to be taken, received 25mg per day for a week and the research begun depending on the individual. Every person was assessed each day to analyze how the dosage affected the symptoms, when the panic attack occurs, and the period the anxiety or the attack lasts, and the side affects.
The domino effect showed that only 9% of the group stopped using the sertraline to cure the panic attack as it gave side affects. A minute percentage stopped taking the medication as it did not work for them. A very large percentage of people experienced a great change and it has decreased the extent of panic for them. The study said that 62% of the partakers did not undergo any kind of panic attacks in the end. Other results reported that there was a decrease in the symptoms before and after they experience the attack. For the best results dosage of sertraline must be given between 50 mg - 200mg.
The use of sertraline for these panic attacks can be prescribed by the doctor. One will have to get an appointment for evaluation and analysis. The doctor may also refer you to the psychiatrist if he personally feels that you need to be monitored better.

Pregnancy is a time of amazing joy. A woman bringing life into the world. You pick out baby furniture, paint the room and begin setting it up. Clothes that always seemed small and darling will be what your child will be wearing. You gain weight slowly and get to see the baby on an ultrasound. However, for many women, the joy of child birth can bring panic attacks too. So how does a pregnant woman deal with panic attacks?
Well, to be honest, the attacks can happen before the woman decides to get pregnant and after she has the baby in post partum depression. It is noted that six percent of women who do develop panic disorder get it after the child is born. However, both points are still being studied on.
There are several stressors in our lives… both positive and negative events. Example: You take a new job…a positive effect. Yet, there are many things that need to be done that causes stress.
Getting pregnant is the same way. It can be positive and joyous but it is one of the most changing life event ever experienced. It can cause panic disorders through the tension and stress that is caused from the anxiety one feels.
When the stress level rises, physical panic reactions ensue. This can make them feel as if they have lost all control of their mind and body. Some even feel that have lost their self-esteem. This is the time when self-esteem should be at its highest level before the baby’s birth.
In the third trimester, the brain produces a chemical called serotonin which produces during fear and worry times. Since the chemical is released, panic attacks can become frequent and be intense.
As the impact of the pregnancy grows, the woman’s ability to cope with family and the impending birth is starting to take a toll on her. For those who have suffered panic attacks during pregnancy, it is not uncommon to feel even more frustration and fear already felt from just being pregnant.
It is imperative that pregnant women and her family understand what goes on when she is suffering with panic disorder. The body is already in extreme distress from the pregnancy and panic attacks further aggravate the issue. She may find she cannot cope, cannot be trusted to make good judgments and is more tired trying to maintain self control. There are some mothers-to-be who suffer self-doubt about being a good mother.
Physical symptoms of a panic attack in pregnancy is much similar to everyone else who gets panic attacks. They are:
* Shortness of breathe
* Racing heartbeats
* Hot flashes
* dizziness
Psychological effects can be described by the following symptoms:
* fear of losing control
* fear of dying
* fear of being inadequate
Should a pregnant woman suffer from panic disorder, it is imperative she speak with her physician. Sometimes a mild prescription can be given to her if the symptoms warrant it. These effects can be quite debilitating but taking responsibility for the treatment plan can help in reducing anxiety.
Relaxation techniques including meditation and yoga are suitable programs for pregnant women. Plus a woman can change her negative thoughts into positive ones and reduce the low self esteem that she feels.
If at all possible, if there are signs of stress or anxiety, family members and the woman should be seen by her doctor.

Anxiety attacks affect more than 4 million people in the US. Recent statistics show that the percentage of people suffering from anxiety is growing. Some of the common Symptoms Of Panic Attacks are: excessive sweating, heart beat racing, fear of crowded and public places for no apparent reason, dizziness, difficulties breathing, hot flushes.

Thus, there are cases when patients are not treated the right way. Medication is only a short-time relief, and not a cure for anxiety. Medication such as anti-depressant are highly addictive, and not to forget their side-effects.

A common misconception is that people can not be completely treated. Advanced practitioners have proved the contrary: while anxiety is a metal disorder, medication will only reduce the levels of anxiety for a short period of time. Several methods and cures for anxiety have been successfully used by thousands of people, shocking truth is that over 98% have managed to overcome panic and anxiety.

Most Common Symptoms Of Panic Attacks

The symptoms may vary from one person to another, therefore I have made up a complete list that can help you identify and make the huge difference between the symptoms in panic attacks and the ones that occur in heart attacks, which are very similar:

* you may feel dizzy all day along * hot flushes, while in public places such as supermarkets, cinemas etc. * racing heart beats * severe headaches, especially at the back of your head * nausea * weakness and trembling * stomach pains * often shaking * you worry too much for no apparent reason * inability to meet with your friends, isolation. (this occurs in severe forms of social anxiety disorders, also known as agoraphobia). * tickling or stinging sensation through your arms, legs or feet * back pains * sleep disorders * negative thinking * feeling of unreal * fearing that you might die * fearing that a severe illness that is threatening your life

These are the symptoms of panic attacks that are often experienced by all patients. There is nothing to fear. The symptoms in panic attacks have nothing to do with heart problems or any other diseases. If you experience any of the symptoms above, then you should seek a natural cure for anxiety.

Go on and find out some of the most effective treatments and Natural Cures For Anxiety available now. You can stop anxiety and panic attacks from the comfort of your home without any medication, expensive counseling or therapies.

Panic Attack – Fear.  These are both terrible words.  If you have had more than a couple of Panic Attacks, you will begin to fear having another one.  This can end up being as debilitating as the Panic Attacks themselves.

If you are in fear of having another Panic Attack, you will probably start to avoid going or doing things that you might think will give you another one.  These are usually the activities and places where you have had Panic Attacks in the past.

This fear can limit your entire life.  It will have an effect on your personal life, your family, friends, marriage, work, etc.  This fear has a spiraling effect, the more isolated you feel, the more stressed and depressed you get, and the more you will have Panic Attacks.  This is not something you want to fall into.  If at all possible, Panic Attacks should be stopped and controlled before you get to this point, making your recovery that much easier.

In very severe cases, you can become homebound and unable to function.  The fear of the Panic Attack will start to dominate your life.

What this fear will do is start you to avoiding things.  For example, if you believe you will have a heart attack if you over exert yourself, you will avoid anything that makes your heart beat fast, such as running, sports, exercising or walking up steps.  This type of behavior just keeps getting worse and worse and if put into the situation where your heartbeat speeds up, you will give yourself another Panic Attack.
 
There are two common thoughts of how to change this type of behavior.  One is called “flooding” and the other is called “desensitization”. 
 Flooding is where you will throw yourself headfirst into what you fear. 
 Desensitization is where you take steady and gradual steps towards overcoming your fear.  For example, if you were afraid of having a heart attack during exercise, you would probably do the following.  The first day, you would take a short walk, the next day, a longer walk and so on and so forth.

Fear of Panic Attacks can seem like it is incurable, but, if you find the right technique, fear can be overcome and you can be cured of Panic Attacks.

Panic attacks are frightening. Even if one suspects that the attack is an anxiety attack, if the symptoms progress or fail to subside, the heart may be failing and medical attention should be sought immediately. The anxiety attack symptoms replicate a heart attack and are often confused as such. Help for anxiety attacks is here though. In learning how to deal with panic attacks, one can cure panic attacks while the attack is in progress and find ways to relieve the stress and anxiety that causes the attack.
Panic attacks are the body’s over reaction to stress. This stress could come from any number of sources and is not extraordinary in levels, but rather normal. The body for some reason though, will going into full-blown flight-or-fight mode, causing sweats, rapid respiration, rapid pulse, and dizziness. There can be a tightening of the chest and the total sense of a lack of control in the situation. Luckily, there are anxiety solutions that can help cure panic attacks.
While the idea to completely eliminate anxiety is still a dream, remedies to help with anxiety are not. These natural remedies for anxiety often are calming techniques used to control the breathing and the heart rate of the person experiencing anxiety and panic attacks. These calming techniques are often meditations that can be performed on a regular basis to gain familiarity with the practice and then can be used as ways to relive anxiety during an attack. Other natural ways to reduce anxiety include changing one’s diet by removing harsh stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and sugar. There is also the push towards exercising as a means of eliminating stress and anxiety.
Speak to a doctor about finding the right method to cure anxiety. He or she would have intimate knowledge about the physical and psychological workings of the body that the average layperson would not have. The doctor can determine if the anxiety is caused by a physical condition or if it is a mental condition. He or she can suggest different methods of managing the anxiety and stress that causes panic attacks that may not have previously been thought of. The doctor can also either provide medication to treat the anxiety symptoms or refer another doctor who specializes in help for anxiety and depression.
There are also many support groups for those with panic attacks. These support groups give members an opportunity to discuss their problems without the harsh judgment of society. This is also an area where methods of reducing and alleviating stress are discussed and evaluated by peers. Classes are also offered throughout the year by various organizations to build confidence in situations that are normally worrisome and to help one get over the anxiety caused by a certain action.
By being an active participant in one’s health, one can find ways to relieve stress and find natural ways to reduce anxiety. Pairing these strategies to reduce anxiety with a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, and a good exercise plan can help eliminate panic attacks all together. Creating a healthy body often aids in the creation of a healthy mind.