Copyright 2006 Sylvia Dickens
You'll recognize the symptoms, but in all likelihood, you won't
know what caused them.
One day, you're going about your daily activities like every
other day. Suddenly, a phenomenal dread passes through your
body. Along with the unexplained fear comes heart palpitations,
sweating, and a sense that you're losing control.
The first thing that comes to mind is that something terrible is
about to happen to you. At this point, you only want to get back
to the safety of your home. Nothing else matters but that.
My first panic attack was unexpected and unnerving. I was in my
apartment alone at the time. All I could do was curl up in the
corner of my sofa and fall asleep. When I awoke, I felt better,
but still experienced some discomfort. The most prominent was a
fear of being alone again.
Looking back, I can understand how stress in my life had
triggered this panic event. My husband and I were preparing to
separate. At 32, I'd never lived alone before and was worried
whether I could survive. Eventually, panic took over my life,
along with fears at every turn.
Today, for the most part I'm panic-free, although I do have mild
attacks now and then when stress becomes overwhelming. So what
exactly is panic and what causes it?
Researchers have discovered several probable causes: heredity,
biological factors, stressful life events, and exaggerated
thinking.
Studies have shown that there are specific areas of the brain
involved in anxiety and fear. These are the underlying causes of
anxiety and panic disorders. The emotion of fear that was
supposed to help our ancestors survive threats in the wild have
become 'confused' by modern society.
In the wilderness, man literally feared for his life because of
the dangers around him. Today, man uses that same fear response
in any situation that appears 'threatening'. This might be loss
of a job, loss of a companion, loss of loved ones and financial
difficulties.
They all come down to the basics of life: heat, shelter and
food. Remove any one of them and he could die. Today's losses
can translate into the basics of life: heat, food and shelter.
Without a job and income, we cannot afford these three needs.
Early man needed purpose just as he does today. For this,
companionship is the answer. The problem comes when we
experience exaggerated thoughts about life events that threaten
these needs.
Scientists have discovered that abnormal activity of a small
structure, the amygdala, inside the brain might be behind
anxiety disorders.
Treatment
Treatment for panic disorder generally includes medications and
a type of psychotherapy that teaches people how to view panic
attacks differently. Most patients show significant progress
after a few weeks of therapy. While relapses might occur, they
can often be effectively treated.
You can learn ways to reduce and even eliminate anxiety and live
a healthy, happy life again, as I have done.
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