Don't Worry Panic Attacks

For millions of people, worry disrupts everyday life, restricting it to some degree or even overshadowing it entirely. An estimated 15 percent of Americans suffer from one or another of the anxiety disorders. These include generalized anxiety, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder and flat-out panic attacks. Many people suffering from panic attacks can feel they are isolated and set apart form others for having the attacks. There are some common misunderstanings about panic attacks that sufferers hold. Perhaps you have experienced some of these yourself.

One of the most common worries about panic attacks is believing it's going to make your heart give out, and you'll die. Regardless of how hard your heart is pounding in your chest, it's far stronger than you give it credit for. If you do have an existing heart condition it is perhaps best to get it checked just for piece of mind, but for the vast majority our hearts will be completely fine during and after an attack.

Some panic suffers find it hard to breathe well during a panic attack, and then worries that he won't get enough air to your lungs. However, the truth is you are actually taking in more air than you feel like you are. The tightness and then accompanying lightness of breath is caused by hyperventilation, with your breaths causing an excess of oxygen to move through your body.

Also fearing of be faint will always happens, but in fact, you won't faint because your body is trying to protect you from danger. The sense that you might faint comes from the hyperventilation. Even though you feel weak and as if you may faint, your large muscles are soaking in oxygen and are pumped and ready for action.

Other panic attacks suffers have the worries that they will go crazy, or completely out of control. Actually you are still in control. Your body is allowing your subconscious mind to take over so that your conscious mind stops second guessing it. Your body is still being taken care of, just by a different part of your brain.

Remembering the panic attack will pass is perhaps the first step in conquering the attacks and learning how to manage them. It is reasonably common and widespread. Many people have suffered from them, and large numbers of those have found methods to reduce or remove panic attacks entirely.