Tips to Prevent Panic Attacks

Of the ever increasing number of neurological disorders, panic attacks are a bit of a mystery to medical specialists as the cause of the problem could be anything but the underlying reason stems from an anxiety about something. By recognizing the causes of panic attacks, it is the first step to controlling them as you learn that a particular trigger does not have to mean a panic attack.

This is about taking control and being aware of an anxiety attack trigger is an important step forward to completely eliminating them. No-one should feel that feeling of anxiety so they must know from the outset that the goal is to eliminate the anxiety completely.

It is not uncommon for panic attacks to be the result of a situation that has happened to the individual in the past which when reminded about, results in strong emotions of fear, anger, frustration even guilt or depression but the trigger will vary from person to person. As part of a condition called general anxiety disorder, they all originate in the same area of the brain and the symptoms are pretty much the same with anyone who suffers with it.

Most often seen in the work environment, general anxiety disorder can be caused by pressures at work which are also linked to depression so the person should avoid any position where this may be a cause. Anyone that suffers from anxiety will feel under much more pressure in this type of environment and is more likely to succumb to an anxiety attack.

Rapid but shallow breathing is a good indication that someone may be having an anxiety attack and they may have very strong feelings about their own mortality. However, a panic attack can be brought to a safe and quick end by teaching the patient how to control their breathing and as a result what their mind is thinking about.

It is an easy matter to teach someone breathing exercises which will need to become an automatic response whenever a panic attack occurs. This involves inhaling for two seconds while pushing the stomach out and exhaling for another two seconds; this is repeated for as long as possible.

At no time must you think that because you have to consciously control your breathing that you are not in complete control. It is important that the focus of this be on controlling the hyperventilation and not actually the breathing and if this can be done the attack will ease very quickly. If for some reason this method is not working then a doctor's advice and attention needs to be sought so the condition does not persist.