Dealing with Panic Attacks and Anxiety Disorder
Have you seen those television commercials that focus
on weight loss plans that work for the woman’s husband, but not for her?
It’s absolutely true that one method of dealing with a situation is
not going to work for everyone.
We are all unique individuals, and dealing with panic attacks
or anxiety disorder is going to be
different for each of us who suffer from them. Finding the right way to deal with your panic attacks
or anxiety disorder is going to be
an individualized journey, one that you must take control of and for which
you must hold a high level of personal responsibility.
There is no magical incantation that can help you, but there are programs out there, such as Panic Away and the Linden Method, that can give you a firm leg up. If you purchase one of these programs, you will have taken the first step in lessening the frequency and severity of your attacks, and who knows? You might just find the perfect solution in one of these strategies. In the meantime, however, you are reading this because you believe that you, or someone you love, needs help in dealing with panic attacks. The following are some things to consider in order to help get you started.
Why is the Linden Method the answer? Click Here to find out!
Understanding Where It Starts
In 1915, Walter Cannon first described what is now known as the “flight or fight response.” It does not just refer to humans, but is apparent in all animals. When we feel threatened, our primitive response will be either to turn tail and run, or to stand up and fight to save ourselves. When this happens, certain hormones are released into our system, which can cause physical reactions such as accelerated heart beat or breathing; going pale or flushing, or alternating between the two; a slowing-down or speeding-up of digestive functions, including (horribly) evacuation of the urinary tract or colon; and constriction of blood vessels in certain areas of the body, to name but a few. The fight or flight response is responsible for most panic attacks because the response can kick in inappropriately in certain situations. In a word, we just don’t know how to deal with the release of the hormones that cause these physiological changes, so we shut down completely, unable to stop our reaction to the hormones.
Why is the Linden Method the answer? Click Here to find out!
Understanding that this is a natural response does not always explain why we have the response to certain situations that should not cause it – situations that other people seem to deal with and not suffer from increased anxiety that leads to panic attacks. What is different about panic attack sufferers? Think about this for a moment -- are you a person who generally chooses to avoid confrontation? Do you acquiesce or give-in; even in circumstances where you know you should be standing up for yourself? Do you find it difficult to say ‘no’ to things you really don’t wish to do? If you answered yes, then it could be that a lack of assertiveness is one of the key issues that you must address. This is also why, percentage-wise, more women suffer from panic disorder than men. Women are typically more likely to try to smooth things over than men, to maintain harmony, rather than fighting for themselves. That’s not to say, however, that men cannot face these same challenges, as they most certainly do.
