Ways to cope with panic attack disorder

Ways to Cope With Panic Attack Disorder
By Lyle R Richards

One in 75 people suffer from panic disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) includes panic attack disorder among the major mental disorders. A panic attack is when the body's "fight or flight" is triggered, usually without an obvious reason. The symptoms of a panic attack include shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, sweaty palms, chest pains and nausea.

Panic attacks turn into panic attack disorder when the fear of having another panic attack begins to affect a sufferers quality of life. People may begin to avoid social situations, work or even refuse to eave their home. Agoraphobia, which is the fear of leaving home, can occur with panic attack disorder in severe cases. Other related but separate disorders include: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which is characterized by excessive worrying (but not about panic attacks); Social Phobia, which is fear of interacting with others; and, Separation Anxiety Disorder, which is fear of being away from home.

How to Cope With Panic Attack Disorder

1. Admit that there is a problem. The first step is to admit that you have problem and that you need help. Many people can be uncomfortable with the idea that they have a mental illness or that they require some sort of help. However, you can't get better without seeking professional assistance.

2. You are not alone. Panic attack disorder is actually quite common and many people are in the same situation as you. Sometimes this can be benefit as you can attend group meetings or therapy sessions to have support from other people suffering like you.

3. You are not dieing. Panic attacks are can be frightening but they are in fact harmless. Panic is adrenaline pumping through your body to prepare it for a possible life or death situation. It is in fact there to help and protect you. In the case of panic attack disorder it is simply trying to protect you at inconvenient moments!

4. Seek professional help. There are many possible ways to help your panic attacks. These include medication, therapy and panic attack home study products.

5. Seek support from your family and close friends. Letting the people around you whom you share a close relationship know about your panic attacks allows them to be supportive of you. You can find information about panic attacks and show them so that they can better understand the difficulties that you are having.

6. Don't avoid situations. Avoiding situation or circumstances where panic attack occur or you are afraid of occurring will reinforce you feeling of being afraid. If a panic attack happens, remember that you are not dieing and that it will pass. If you have people around you who know about your problem you will be able to seek support from them.

As you can see, there are several steps that you can attack to help with you panic attack disorder. The main point is that seeking help doesn't mean you are a weak person and is an important step in overcoming panic attack disorder.

Lyle Richards is the webmaster of Free From Panic Attacks, which provides free information on panic attacks and there treatment. You may also be interested in Do you know what to do during an anxiety attack?

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