|  | Mental Health | Anxiety Disorders

Methods to Deal With Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety attacks are also known as panic attacks. They can last for a few minutes or for hours at a time. It is normal to feel anxious about a job interview, or a prospective date, but when this anxiety morphs into incessant worrying and irrational fears, then you may have an anxiety disorder. If you have an anxiety attack, there are methods you can utilize to control it.

  1. Medical Advice

    • Anxiety attacks are generally accompanied by a pounding heart, irritability and sweating. To ensure that you do not have an underlying medical condition, such as thyroid disease, see your doctor. Consequently, you will know if your anxiety is caused by a physical ailment. You can also see a therapist or counselor who will help you to manage your attacks. This is especially important if your symptoms last more than one to two weeks. Not seeing a professional can prolong your attacks, leading to extreme paranoia and more frequent attacks. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (see References) has an excellent website where you can enter your zip code to find a therapist near you.

    Acceptance

    • Given time, your anxiety attack will pass. Breathe in and out slowly and count to 10 (do this as many times as is necessary), and accept that you are undergoing an attack. Know that it will pass, and that the reason for your attack may be less stringent that you perceive. Often, your fear of a situation is greater than its actual peril. Think positive thoughts when you have an attack. Though this may be difficult when all you can see are catastrophic results, try to think of something good in your life, something that has or will make you smile. Do this, and before you know it, you will be back to normal.

    Similar Cases

    • One of the most important things to do when you have a panic attack is to remember that you are not alone. Millions of Americans experience anxiety attacks, so you are not "weird" or "abnormal." Still, it is important to gauge your attacks so you can determine if you are experiencing a typical anxiety attack or if you suffer from anxiety disorder. Victims of anxiety disorders are susceptible to bipolar disorder, depression, alcohol abuse, eating disorders and sleep disorders.

Anxiety Disorders - Related Articles