| Fear is a natural reaction to a threatening situation | | | | attacks for some people. Adding 20 to 30 |
| and is where the body produces adrenaline in | | | | minutes of exercise a day can help the body to |
| preparation for "fight or flight". Panic on the other | | | | relax by increasing the body release of feel good |
| hand is a sudden, unreasonable and overpowering | | | | chemicals and make for a better night sleep. |
| fear. One out of every 75 people will experience | | | | Cognitive Distraction Techniques |
| recurring panic attacks, where the body produces | | | | Cognitive distraction such as mediation, yoga or |
| adrenaline in response to a stimulus which is | | | | listening to music can be help a person to relax |
| disproportionate to the actual threat in reality. | | | | and focus their mind on other things besides their |
| Often, panic attacks appear seemingly with no | | | | anxiety. When the mind is inactive it can wander |
| cause. | | | | and focus on panicky feelings. |
| If these panic attacks are not treated properly, | | | | Reducing Anxiety Lifestyle Causes |
| Panic Disorder can occur. This is where a person | | | | Other lifestyle changes may need to take place. |
| experiences several panic attacks and worries | | | | For example, if a person's job is a source of |
| excessively about the possibility that they have | | | | major stress they may need to seek a change in |
| another one at any time. The person's worry is | | | | employment. |
| so strong that they change their behaviors to | | | | Psychological Treatment Modalities |
| avoid situation that may provoke their anxiety. | | | | There are many medication-free psychological |
| Fortunately, there are various treatments that | | | | treatments that can be very effective in treating |
| are effective at treating panic attacks and related | | | | panic attacks. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| problems. | | | | is the treatment of choice for most psychologists. |
| The Most Popular Panic Attack Treatments | | | | CBT teaches patients to modify their thinking and |
| Typically, an expert in panic attacks would first | | | | behaviors change the thoughts which are the |
| try to first rule out any underlying or medical | | | | source of their anxieties and on to more positive |
| conditions that may be contributing to the panic | | | | thought trails. CBT practitioners also utilize |
| attacks or may actually be causing the symptoms | | | | exposure therapy, where the patient is exposed |
| themselves. | | | | to specific fear producing situations - low-fear |
| Sleep, Diet and Lifestyle Changes | | | | situations first then gradually more fearful ones. |
| Many people find that high caffeine intake, | | | | Another type of therapy involves support groups |
| smoking, lack of sleep, inactivity and poor nutrition | | | | which many people find beneficial. People can |
| can be significant factors in their panic attacks. | | | | share their experiences and find support with |
| Therefore, increasing exercise and making dietary | | | | others who are in similar situations as them. |
| changes may be effective in reducing panic | | | | |