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Why Do Some People Get Repeated Panic Attacks?

By: Kim Brockman The terms “panic attack” or “anxiety attack” are used to describe a wide range of symptoms. Some people feel nervous and nauseous. Others find themselves unable to move, think or respond. In can be inhibiting or down right debilitating.

Do you suspect you may suffer from panic attacks? Have you ever experienced these common symptoms?

·         Dizzy spells leading to panic
·         Tightness in the throat or chest; shortness of breath
·         Racing heart with tingle sensations
·         Obsessive worries and unwanted thoughts
·         Overwhelming fear that something awful is about to occur

If so, you’ve experienced some level of panic attack. This can range from a short period of discomfort to a complete paralysis, leaving the victim unable to continue on with what he/she was doing.

All sufferers may need some assistance to break the panic spell, but these more severe sufferers could very well be putting others in danger. Imagine if you, like a friend of mine, started experiencing panic while driving at 60 mph on the freeway. Being conscious of her growing panic, my friend safely pulled over to the side of the road before the paralysis hit. She called for help, and no one was hurt. It could have been, and often is, much worse.

Many panic and anxiety sufferers have given up so much. They don’t feel safe driving. They can’t fly for fear of having an attack in that small enclosed space. Some can’t gather the fortitude for a job interview.   This is no way to live!

The emotion behind all panic attacks is fear. Fear of what? In a surprisingly large percentage of attacks, it’s an anticipation of having a panic attack! You see, we learn from our own experiences. We are our own best teacher! Once upon a time we felt anxious because of some stress.

Let’s take the example of Joe, an accountant who had to make a speech in front of several executives. Like many of us, Joe had a fear of public speaking. As he approached the podium, his throat went dry. When he looked out at the audience, he started sweating and knew he’d never get that first sentence out. Then his throat seemed to close up and his heart raced. He had to leave the room quickly and never made the speech, much to his boss’s dismay. The first grains of panic were planted.

The next time Joe gets nervous, he recognizes the beginnings of what had previously been a very bad experience. Then Joe wonders if that will happen again. Then he starts worrying that it will. Then it does. And the cycle repeats at any cause for nervousness – it needn’t even be a big one anymore. Joe’s own past makes him fearful enough that the cycle repeats over and over again.

So how do you deal with it? There are many ways of coping with panic attacks. There are drugs that promote relaxation and easing of the stress that often leads to a panic attack. Talk to your doctor about them. They do have side affects, and many people can’t or won’t use them.

Counseling is an option. Many have had success by using the relaxation techniques taught by a counselor. Deep breathing exercises or positive affirmations help many people. Some counselors even teach their patients a form of self-hypnosis where the patient learns to separate his mind from his anxiety and think logically about his issues. The problem here is the cost. You can go many years to a counselor and do all of the 30-step program faithfully, yet still have only minor improvement in your condition.
Other sufferers go for years without relief until they stumble across the one method that works for them. Don’t lose heart! There’s a solution out there for you! Keep searching!