People usually do not have prior warning about panic attacks. These attacks are mostly of short durations and go as quickly as they come. A result of severe anxiety factors, they display various symptoms. These symptoms develop suddenly and reach their peak in as little as 10 minutes.
People can suffer from one-time or repeated panic attacks. They are unable to lead normal lives and retreat from society because of their fear of the attacks. Often, symptoms of these attacks are mistaken for that of a heart attack or a nervous breakdown.
It should be known that these attacks can be cured with the right treatment. Millions of people suffering from these attacks have found relief after applying one or more of different treatments. Panic attack treatments can range from do-it-yourself self-help cures to medication and therapy prescribed by professionals.
The traditional treatment for these attacks is the paper bag method. People are advised to breathe into a paper bag when they begin to show the symptoms of panic attacks. This is just a way of regulating the breathing process and avoiding hyperventilation. Simple deep-breathing exercises in place of breathing into a paper bag work in the same manner.
The most successful of these treatments is the Cognitive Behavioral Treatment. This therapy strives to make the sufferers understand the reasons behind their attacks as the first step towards curing it. The therapists point out the factors leading to the attacks. Most attacks are triggered simply by the patient's fear of the attacks itself. When they understand the cause of the attacks, the patients can reason with themselves and prevent the attacks from occurring. This treatment is often accompanied by breathing and meditating exercises.
Generally, medication is not prescribed for panic attacks. In severe cases, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs may be given to alleviate the symptoms. But some anti-depressants can also cause increased symptoms of the attacks.
A combination of self-help and therapy is available for the sufferers as well. These are usually developed by former patients as a way of helping themselves and others. Famous among them are Panic Away, Easy Calm (also called Easy Calm Video Coaching Series), the Linden Method, etc. They consist of different exercises and print, audio or video guides for the users.
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