Panic Away

I have just been advised that Panic Away has an updated version called The Anxiety Release Method.

Panic Away was Joe Barry’s original course first sold online in 2001. It is hugely successful worldwide and most of the success stories you see on that site relate to it. The Anxiety Release Method is an updated version of that course with many additional bonus features. It includes all of the original material of Panic Away but with powerful new exercises and presentations to ensure that even the most difficult anxiety issues get resolved.

Take a look at the great ‘bonuses’ at The Anxiety Release Method with one being access to their Forum.

Regards
Di

As you know I have taken Xanax to help with my panic attacks, however, I would like to make an important point that Xanax and any other drugs you use for your panic attacks are only designed to curb the symptons and not address the underlying causes of panic attacks. You see, as soon as you stop taking them, the fear is likely to return. Because you know this deep down, you can potentially become addicted to the drugs psychologically if not physically.  You can become so dependant on them suppressing these symptoms that you MUST take the drugs just to make sure it doesn’t happen.

It’s like someone I know who is an asthmatic – who rarely had to use his puffer – but if he left it at home, he would almost bring on an attack by thinking the worst would happen, now that he didn’t have his puffer to use.

So my point is – Do the drugs work? Yes and No.  To overcome your panic attacks you need to go to the root cause and not just address the symptoms.

Regards
Diane

Hello to all

I would just like to let people know who suffer from panic attacks that, ‘You Are Not Alone.’  Figures from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states

• About 1.7 percent of the adult U.S. population ages 18 to 54 – approximately 2.4 million Americans – has a panic attack in a given year.

• Women are twice as likely as men to develop panic disorder.

• Panic disorder typically strikes in young adulthood. Roughly half of all people who have panic disorder develop the condition before age 24.

What actually causes Panic Attacks is still unknown, but in my case it started in my early 20’s after experiencing not one but two armed hold-ups while working in the Bank.  However, it took many years for me to overcome these attacks and go onto live a normal life.

So there is comfort in knowing that you can overcome your panic attacks and you are not alone in your journey.

Hello to all

Well Xmas is once again upon us.  The many things to do creates alot of tension amongst us all at this time of year.

Where I live in Australia it gets quite hot and humid at this time of the year and I know from previous experience this can be a time when panic attacks hit hard.  The mounting stress of getting everything done for Xmas day is just too much for some.

So, take it easy and rest if you must, for Xmas is a time to be joyful and happy.

Kind regards
Diane

Have you been feeling times of extreme panic and anxiety?  Have you experienced physical problems caused by your fear, that make your life more difficult?  Are you hesitant to lead a normal life due to the fact you cannot predict when the next feeling of panic and anxiety will arise?

Should any of these questions describe how you feel, you may be suffering from panic attacks or panic disorder.  Read on to learn more about these worrying conditions and how to handle the unpleasant symptoms.

What is a Panic Attack?

Panic attacks usually come on without any prior warning.  One minute you are going about your life as usual, maybe driving in your car or shopping for groceries, and the next minute you are hit with an overwhelming sense of panic and anxiety.

It’s no surprise to learn that panic attack sufferers call them the worst moments of their lives.  The attacks are characterized by a feeling of panic and an overwhelming sense of dread and anxiety, as well as many other symptoms including the following:

- Nausea or faint

- Quivering, sweating, and feeling chilled or overheated

- Choking feeling and shortness of breath

- Thumping chest or a racing heart rate

- Strong desire to run from the situation

- Feeling certain that you are going to die

The duration of panic attacks can be from a few minutes to several hours but 30 minutes is usually the time experienced.

What is Panic Disorder?

Several panic attacks within a set period of time are typically experienced by sufferers from panic disorder.  These attacks are unpredictable, very severe and leave the victim waiting, wondering when the next attack will occur.  A constant sense of worrying exists between panic attacks.

Panic disorder is much more common in women than in men.  It is very disruptive to the victims’ daily life and usually develops in early adulthood.

Overcoming Panic and Anxiety

Moving past the panic and anxiety is the first step towards living normally with panic attacks and panic disorder.  Several treatments are available to assist sufferers cope with this debilitating condition:

- One of the most effective therapy methods used for dealing with panic attacks is cognitive behavioral therapy.  Many sufferers, it has been shown, have been helped by this method.

- Of benefit to some people who suffer from panic and anxiety are the anti-anxiety medications and anti-depressants available.

- Meditation and healing mantras have been effective in diffusing a panic attack once it starts.  Deep breathing has also been shown to help.

- Support from loved ones has also been instrumental in relieving the symptoms of panic attacks for many people.

You’re Not Alone

Realizing you are not alone, but one of thousands who experience panic and anxiety is an important move towards coping with panic disorders.  Allowing yourself to talk about your feelings with friends, family and health care professionals.

Many people who suffer from panic attacks feel that they are being viewed as hypochondriacs and are subsequently unwilling to share their experiences.  But it is vitally important to talk about and discuss the situation with those around you.

If you suffer from panic attacks.
Discover Diane Mason’s story discussing how she overcame her panic attacks.

Panic attacks affect thousands of people each year, causing extreme panic and anxiety and a sense of overwhelming dread.  Coping with panic attacks is incredibly challenging, and some individuals even become afraid to leave their homes.  I personally became fearful of travelling on public transport by myself.  Part of taking control of your panic disorder symptoms is identifying the triggers of your panic attacks.

Signs of Panic Attacks

It’s difficult to miss a panic attack.  It comes without warning and the sufferer responds with a state of fight or flight.  The most common panic attack indicators include the following:

- A feeling of intense panic and anxiety, often with extreme fear

- Pounding heart and chest pains

- Unsettled stomach and feeling faint

- Cold chills

- Trembling

- Feeling out of breath

- A need to escape

Panic Attack Triggers

Some of the triggers of panic attacks can be avoided with careful monitoring.  This can provide a sense of greater freedom for those with panic disorder.  Knowing the triggers of your panic attacks can help you predict when they will occur.

Trigger 1:  Consuming Caffeine

Caffeine increases your heart rate and makes you more alert.  The increased heart rate can trigger an attack because it mimics the symptom of heart palpitations.  Additionally, too much caffeine can cause trembling, another symptom of a panic attack.

Trigger 2:  Certain Medications

It’s smart for people who suffer from panic disorder to shy away from medications that could cause a trigger for a panic attack.  An example might be medication that could cause a rise in body temperature which inturn causes the heart rate to increase.  Subsequently, the body may believe this to be a panic attack.

Trigger 3:  Too Much Exercise

When you over exercise, your heart rate increase, you perspire and you take deeper breaths.  This is another aspect that can increase the chances of experiencing a panic attack.

Trigger 4:  Stress

We all experience tension and stress in our lives and more so considering the economic crisis we are currently facing.  However, these feelings cause the body to fight or flight and can be a cause of panic attacks.  Easy to say but harder to implement is lowering your stress levels.

Trigger 5:  Being Out of Your Comfort Zone

Big life changes can put your entire system at a disadvantage.  When you are coping with the loss of a loved one, a divorce, a new job, or another big change, it’s hard to take care of yourself mentally and physically.  It’s important at times like this to take time for yourself and get the support you need from family and friends.

I hope these panic attack triggers have provided you with a little bit more of an insight into panic attacks.

Regards
Diane

Hello to all

Well for the first time since my honeymoon (8 years ago), we have booked a well deserved holiday to one of the islands off the north coast of Queensland.  The kids can’t wait and neither can my husband and I. 

 Breaking free from experiencing anxiety attacks has given me a tremendous boost to my overall confidence in wanting to experience what life really has to offer.  I used to feel so trapped and unable to venture outside of my comfort zone which mainly consisted of my home, my friends and my place of work.

It’s truly great to be alive and free from my anxiety attacks.

Post again soon.

Diane
www.panicaway.com.au

Hi and Welcome