ANXIETY ATTACKS: what are they?
“The anxiety was definitely worse at night, and panic attacks would strike without warning. Heart palpitations, trouble breathing, cold sweats, dizziness and tingling fingers. Add to that mood swings, difficulty sleeping, and irrational fears. I was miserable”.
Sound familiar? Perhaps this is you or someone you know! YOU ARE NOT CRAZY- read on:
Many clients are coming to my office for counseling regarding fear, depression, anxiety. These are normal reactions to stress, bereavement and worry- But what happens when quality of life suffers and your symptoms become unbearable? I wanted to offer you some information that can be helpful if you or a loved one is suffering from Panic Attacks due to grief, depression, anxiety. REMEMBER;there is a reason for these symptoms and they are treatable.
Anxiety is one of the most common symptoms of grief, depression, or hormonal imbalance.But when anxiety begins to produce panic attacks that hit you more than once a week for several weeks, this can be known as PANIC DISORDER. The grief, depression or stress may take the form of anxiety attacks (also called panic attacks), nervousness, or unnatural fear. These can be the same symptoms as a heart attack or stroke, so it it is important to see your doctor and rule out any other physical abnormality. But let me assure you that for the most part -these symptoms are consistent with hormone imbalance, grief issues or stress.( There is a significant correlation with my clients experiencing panic disorder and the age group and gender.)
I see many women at my counseling office who ask, “Why is this happening to me?” because they never experienced such horrific and intense symptoms. They’re also concerned about taking medication. Medications can be helpful- short term - for women with sub-clinical anxiety or mild anxiety disorders, and there are gentle alternative approaches that can provide relief. It’s especially important to deal with the physical first. Many clients are “freaked out” and the panic attacks begin to overshadow every other area of life. It is important to get these physiological symptoms under control first. There are also many less recognizable forms of grief, depression and anxiety that have a cumulative effect on the body. The list is long — worry, skipping meals and replacing them with stimulants such as alcohol or caffeine…not sleeping, crying all the time, living at a frantic pace to get everything done — all of these are very hard on your body and can trigger panic attacks. The natural approach is to give your body more support while trying to reduce the demands you place on it. Below are some real symptoms and these are physiological. These physiological symptoms wreak havoc on your mental, physical and spiritual well being. Find a qualified individual to offer you help and care.
Symptoms — panic attacks
- heart / pulse racing
- tightness in chest
- dizzy feeling or disoriented
- tingling in hands or feet
- nausea or the need to vomit
- severe hot flash
- surge of energy/adrenaline that is unprovoked
- choking feeling and lack of breath
NOTE: these are just some symptoms that come on quickly and with no warning and they last only 10 or 20 minutes. The anxiety they produce and the post fatigue may last three to four hours. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR OR THERAPIST.
Glen Mills Counseling Center can help. Call for an assessment. Call now:610.656.1424 . www.glenmillscounseling.org.
