Health Guidance

Anxiety attacks too much fear, worry or stress. It is during this crucial period that a person may be reduced to a nervous wreck or come out of it still whole and live a normal life.

In order to avoid the onset of an attack it is important that you must understand what an anxiety attack is and what are its symptoms. Of course, an average person must have experienced the symptoms at some point in their life but it is unlikely to have reached a certain level to cause panic. In other words it is manageable and within the range of our capacity to overcome the attack.

Do you remember giving a speech for the first time and you feel your heart pounding wildly or a relationship of a loved one at the brink of disaster? The possible loss of a job and a confrontation with your boss can cause you untold tension and misery. They are elements of disaster and if not handled correctly, an anxiety attack may set in. Continue reading ‘Anxiety Attacks Description’ »

Anxiety disorders are common psychiatric disorders apparently caused by an interface of biopsychosocial factors. These include genetic vulnerability, which interrelate with situations, stress, or trauma to create clinically significant syndromes.

The major mediators of the symptoms of anxiety disorders in the central nervous system appear to be norepinephrine and serotonin.

One of the classifications of anxiety disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is substance-induced anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders may contribute to morbidity and mortality resulting from hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia.

Severe anxiety disorders may lead to suicide, with or without secondary mood disorders; for example depression.

Continue reading ‘Anxiety and Amphetamine Dependency Treatment’ »

In my ongoing quest for knowledge pertaining to the contributors to panic attacks and anxiety, as well as treatment strategies and techniques, I came upon some very cool stuff several years ago. It’s called Somatic Experiencing (SE) and it’s the amazing work of Peter A. Levine, Ph.D. This will be the first in a series of two articles. Here we’ll have a look at SE within the context of a contributor to panic and anxiety. The article that follows will approach SE from a treatment perspective. Well, tune-in because I know you’re going to find the information fascinating, hopeful, and helpful.

SE came to life as Dr. Levine observed that though wild animals of prey are under constant threat and siege, they’re rarely traumatized. Well, I never really gave that much thought, but I suppose it’s true. So, just how in the heck do they pull that off? Well, credit is given to an innate regulating mechanism that very efficiently manages and discharges the energy that accumulates in their bodies as a result of self-preservation behaviors. Levine observed that when an animal of prey survives a potentially deadly chase, it actually takes time to physically shake-off unused energy before moving on with the herd. Well, Levine posits we humans are equipped with essentially the same mechanism; however, ours is greatly inhibited by our more advanced cognitive capabilities. Man, how many times does thinking mess things up for us? By the way, isn’t it interesting that we so often use the phrase, “Just shake it off,” when someone takes a relatively minor hit of some kind. Continue reading ‘Panic Attacks, Anxiety, and Somatic Experiencing: Part I’ »

In a previous article I discussed the importance of including balance issues in any discussion of the contributors to panic attacks and anxiety. Amazingly, this connection hasn’t received much attention, but it appears as though that’s changing. Yes, children with balance issues are being assessed for signs and symptoms of anxiety, and intervention strategies and techniques are being developed and implemented. This is great news, as it holds the potential to save millions from life-long suffering.

As you may know, in addition to our sense of hearing the inner ear is the headquarters of balance and equilibrium. Within the membranous labyrinth, a fluid-filled structure deep within the inner ear, is a relatively large area known as the vestibule. And it’s the “vestibular system” that monitors and manages balance and equilibrium by receiving and integrating input from the eyes, ears, and muscles of the trunk, neck, and limbs. Of course, the vestibular system gets a little help from its friends, one of which is the brain’s cerebellum. I guess it would make sense that the cerebellum is a major player in the integration of sensory perception, as well as motor control.

Continue reading ‘Panic Attacks and Anxiety: Treatment of Balance Issues In Childhood’ »

The human brain is absolutely amazing. And as much as we’ve learned about it, it remains one incredibly mysterious three-pound mass of tissue and fluid. The brain’s functioning has certainly been a puzzle to me over the many years, as it’s facilitated a long bout with panic disorder, as well as dances with other distressing mental, emotional, and physical phenomena. Lately, I’ve become more and more fascinated with how a panic sufferer’s assorted pathological challenges present and interact. Here are just some of my thoughts.

I was nine-years-old when an episode of derealization struck me like a lightening bolt while I was sitting at a kitchen table with my parents and their friends. I panicked and ran from the scene. During that same timeframe it was often written on my report cards that I was seemingly unable to sit still and would occasionally wander around the classroom. As a junior in college intrusive thoughts entered my airspace. I was walking down the sidewalk in downtown East Lansing, MI. and saw a woman coming toward me pushing a stroller. Out of nowhere I wondered what would happen if I punched her baby right in the face. Wow!

Continue reading ‘Panic Attacks and Assorted Mind Variances: Pieces of a Greater Whole’ »

Anxiety disorders are a product of modern life. The amount of stress that we face daily may lead to serious anxiety disorders and panic disorders. Anxiety is characterized as extreme reactions to scary situations. Suppose someone follows you into a dark alley, those anxious feelings of a racing heartbeat and sweaty palms that you experience gives way to heightened senses and a rush of adrenalin that can save your life. Your body is preparing to run away or if that is not possible to fight till the end. This is called the fight or flight syndrome.

Each one of us has experienced at some time or the other panic or anxiety in small ways. Like the fight or flight example, it can save life. In new situations, a normal person gets panicky but when the outcome that he is afraid of fails to materialize, the anxiety stops. But for a person who is suffering from chronic anxiety, this is not the case.

Continue reading ‘How to Curb the Anxiety Syndrome?’ »

One could write and talk for days about the potential contributors to panic attacks. So much so that I choose to use the term “contributors,” not “causes.” And that’s because I believe using the term “causes” throws a very unnecessary roadblock in the path toward relief, as it attempts to find solid and defined explanations for why panic attacks occur. Ultimately, that’s great; however, I find it limiting in the immediate. At any rate, I want to discuss a very common psychological contributor to panic attacks that I refer to as the “We Do It Intentionally Paradox.”

First, just what is a paradox? Well, it’s something that may appear to be incongruent with what’s accepted as common sense, yet it’s very likely true. That said, it’s my observation that many panic sufferers may consciously and/or unconsciously intentionally trigger their panic attacks. Is that paradoxical enough for you? Geez, don’t get angry at me now. If this notion is true, and it applies to you, it can serve to provide a lot of direction. So think about it. Before I go into detail, could it at least be possible?

Continue reading ‘Panic Attacks: The “We Do It Intentionally Pardox”’ »

By any chance, do the following have a familiar ring: Lexapro, Cymbalta, and Paxil? Odds are you’ve heard of at least one, and perhaps are using one or know a person who does. They are compounds for curing anxiety, and are all among the top 100 selling pharmaceuticals in the world. Medication for anxiety forms a large fraction of the portfolios of the major pharmaceutical firms. Countless patients have discovered that these drugs mitigate the debilitating symptoms of anxiety disorders, as well as those of depression in others. A high number of these drugs are found in a class of molecules referred to “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors” (SSRIs), which operate by reducing the reabsorption of the neurochemical serotonin. Serotonin, when careening between neural junctions, seem to mediate processes that result in anxiety and depression. Learning about how SSRIs work, their off-label uses and what sort of side effects they exert is vital, as these compounds form the most popular class of pharmaceutical products ever prescribed.

Continue reading ‘Anxiety and the neurotransmitter Serotonin’ »

Stress is a pervasive problem in society Today.

Everywhere you look people are talking about the doom and gloom in the economy, job losses etc. People are wondering how they will pay their mortgage what they will tell their children about the future on top of all the normal stresses and strains we deal with in everyday life.

When we are stressed out and worried constantly we can experience symptoms like irritability, muscle tension, sleeping difficulties etc. We cannot function at out best and cannot see clearly the decisions to make that are beneficial for us.

Continue reading ‘How To Stop Stress’ »

“Anxiety and Panic Attack sufferers tend to live lives of quiet desperation.”

As a personal development trainer specializing in anxiety issues, and a former sufferer of
extreme anxiety and panic attacks, I can assure you the above statement is true-I’ve been there. I spent years of my life searching in desperation for an anxiety cure that was effective and would last.

Like many people, I tried the medical route: I was prescribed anti-anxiety medications that doctors assured me would provide a “real” anxiety cure with no severe side-effects or withdrawal symptoms…at least that’s what I was told.

Continue reading ‘Is Medication A "Real" Anxiety Cure?’ »