Panic Attack Facts:
Common Questions and Concerns
With so many questions and concerns, I felt it was time to share some panic
attack facts! You may be familiar with many of the questions below and may have
even questioned them yourself. Let the truth be told for those who want to know!
Am I going crazy or losing my mind?
No! The fact is, you can't go crazy! Anxiety makes you
extremely focused and your senses are intensified during
anxious episodes. It is a fact that people who are truly losing
their minds don't even know it's happening.
Am I having a heart attack or stroke?
No! The symptoms of panic mimic sensations that can be
confused with a heart attack. Symptoms like heart palpitations,
fluttering, chest tightness, dizziness, shortness of breath,
numbness in the face, confusion.... are all things that can
happen during a panic attack. Of course, you should never NOT go
to the doctors if you are extremely concerned about how you are
feeling. However, if you get a good report, trust your doctors!
How long does a panic attack last? Well, this
depends on the person. More often than not, panic attacks usually
only last a few minutes. They follow a routine pattern that
rises and falls with the rush of adrenaline that pumps through your
body. It is comforting to know that your body can only produce so
much adrenaline per day, so it helps to burn up the excess through
exercise!
Do you need medication in order to recover
from panic attacks? Medication is always
a choice. You can recover with or without medication. So to answer
that truthfully, the answer would be NO!
Will I ever get better or will I have panic for the rest of
my life? Anyone can recover from panic, even YOU! You
don't have to suffer for the rest of your life. Although it may seem
like you won't ever get better, be patient with yourself and never
give up. You will find recovery as long as you persist. Just as you
have the power to recover, you also have the power to keep yourself
anxious and struggling with panic. The power to recovery is inside
yourself!
How long does it take to recover from panic
attacks? The truth is that everyone is
different. Some recover quickly while others take months and even
years. I personally believe it depends on how proactive a person is
in their own recovery and if they do the work that is required to
get better. One thing you can't do is rush recovery. Everyone needs
to learn at their own pace and they need to be acceptant of that.
Are panic attacks dangerous? No,
panic attacks are not dangerous. However, suffering with anxiety and
panic for long periods of time can greatly affect your immune system
and can cause sickness. Stress makes people sick over long term. So
it's very important to do whatever is necessary to take good care of
yourself and work towards full recovery.
Can you stop a panic attack? Yes!
Absolutely! You can stop a panic attack in it's tracks! It takes
some trial and error in learning how, but once you have mastered
that skill, you will be able to stop a panic attack even before it
begins. This takes lots of practice! The truth is that without the
fear of panic, panic cannot even exist! Imagine that!
Why do they seem to happen out of the blue
and without warning? Most of the time,
we are so busy that we don't pay attention to what's going on inside
of us. We ignore the signs of stress and we push ourselves beyond
what we should on a daily basis. Stress overload causes panic! The
answer here is to become more in-tune with your thoughts, feelings,
and realize that sometimes we need to slow down and be good to our
bodies. We all need time to recuperate everyday. Don't ignore the
signs of stress in your life.
It is not uncommon to believe that you are
somehow different and that your panic is worse
than everyone else's. We all think that way. In
my experience, panic is stubborn and persistent.
It can sometimes take a long time convincing
yourself of these truths. Do not give up! Tell
yourself the truth always, no matter how you are
feeling.
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