It is important for you to gain control over your panic attack symptoms before they take even more of a stranglehold on your life.

 

Besides learning to avoid certain places and social occasions, you may find yourself becoming uneasy during certain conversations. If you analyze them you will probably find they are those which bring on signs of anxiety attacks or feelings ofexcitement. So for example, you might find that hearing about earthquakes or wars are 'too much' for you. They make you feel anxious. Talk about illnesses or suffering makes you feel uneasy. Reports of surprises or exciting happenings can make you feel the same.

 

Anybody who hears these things makes a response: they frown and say 'Oh, how awful,' or beam a smile and exclaim That's absolutely fantastic!' You're just like everyone else and you respond too; but remember that your fight or flight response is primed, all ready to say 'Go' to another adrenalin release, and is looking for just the slightest provocation or sign of anxiety attack to set it off.

 

Hearing any of those news items presses the firing trigger a little bit more. In feeling excited by the news your autonomic system discharges some more adrenalin into your system, and so off you go with the feeling of having another anxiety attack. So in your sensitized state, you may find yourself avoiding certain conversations or television program. It's all down to that adrenalin again.

 

Its Effect On You

 

As you feel more and more frightened, anxious, on edge and bewildered by what is happening to you, it is hardly surprising to find that not only has your ability to enjoy life decreased, but your self-confidence has taken a battering as well. You may have become demoralized as you felt the need to place more restrictions on your activities. Your friends and relatives may have become angry with what they see as you being negative or stubborn and consumed with your anxiety attacks symptoms.

 

Because of all this, a number of people who suffer with panic attacks become quite depressed. Under the circumstances this is understandable, like Colin who said: They (the panic attacks) have made me tired and depressed and I have lost a lot of confidence as a result of them.' If each day becomes an endurance test - which you see yourself as failing with each attack - instead of a joy, it is bound to make you feel depressed.

 

I would say this is quite normal. If it applies to you, take comfort from the fact that many others, like Colin, experience the same things as you. And I'm quite sure that anyone who went through these experiences and anxiety symptoms would react in the same way. Just try to remember that experiencing panic attacks does come to an end.

 

Worry About Potential Dangers

 

You may have read or heard bits here and there about panic attacks and worried that they have been linked to suicides. Let me put your mind at rest. According to the American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Psychiatry (American Psychiatric Press, 1988) the reported suicides may in fact be linked to alcoholism instead, because alcohol is used by some people in a misguided attempt to self-treat their panic attacks. There is no evidence to suggest that suicide is linked to simple panic attacks. However, if you have had suicidal thoughts, do go and see your doctor and explain how you have been feeling. The Samaritans (UK) or Befrienders (international) can also be an immense help at times like this. Ring them. Their number is in your local telephone directory.

 

You may be under the impression that panic attacks can induce fatal heart attacks. You may be worrying that your attacks are leading you in that direction.