acks are the most extreme manifestation of panic disorder, an anxiety response resulting from an over-production and under-use of adrenalin, the bodily chemical which cause them. When the anxiety reaction has no use for adrenalin, this powerful hormone can create a group of physical reactions which can peak with the formation of a panic attack. This response is natural and physical – it has nothing to do with mental or physical illness or chemical imbalances, but it can feel very threatening indeed.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps people learn to deal with panic symptoms, using techniques like muscle and breathing relaxation. They also gain reassurance that panic will not lead to the catastrophic events they fear, since many people fear they are having a heart attack.

It is a sad truth that many people these days suffer from anxiety. It’s not really certain why people are suffering from this condition but they are and you may be one of them. Often people who suffer from this do not look for anxiety treatments straight away to help them because they do not know that this is their problem. Often they can go through this for a long period and then they go to the doctors and find out they are actually having anxiety attacks.

Once they have been diagnosed with this the doctor will look for anxiety treatments that will suit them personally. Sadly this is most likely in the form of anti depressants. For many people this is a perfect solution. But for many others it is not the best solution. For one thing these anti depressants are drugs and not all people like to and can cope with this form of help.

Shop around! If you have a friend who has sought therapy, ask him/her for a referral. Even if your friend’s therapist isn’t available, you can ask the therapist for a recommendation to another therapist. You can also check out the phone book or online (under “psychologists”, “counselors” or “mental health”) for therapists in your area.

Ask about cognitive-behavioral therapy. Look for a therapist who does “cognitive-behavioral” therapy (CBT). There are many types of therapy, but CBT has been shown to have very good results for the treatment of anxiety, and the results of CBT treatment tend to be longer term than the use of medication alone. CBT helps you to identify and change the thoughts and behaviors that cause you to feel anxious, and it also typically contains an element called “exposure” that helps you to systematically cope with the sources of your anxiety.

 

Treating anxiety attacks or panic attacks as they are also known has become a huge industry spearheaded by drug companies mainly for a good reason; approximately 18% of adult Americans suffer from some sort of anxiety disorder.