How to Control Panic Your Attacks

Chronic panic attacks are known as panic disorder. Panic attack sufferers experience a sudden burst of intense feelings of fear, dread or of being trapped usually coupled with physical symptoms such as a racing heartbeat, sweating and shallow breathing. Attacks vary in length - they can be as short as 15 minutes, but some people experience attacks that last much longer. Anxiety attacks trigger the body's natural "fight or flight" instincts, releasing a large amount of epinephrine and other hormones into the bloodstream.

A variety of factors contribute to panic attacks:

Diet and health - your diet and health can play a significant role in the frequency and severity of your anxiety attacks. Smoking, poor cardiovascular health and lack of exercise all create conditions conducive to panic attacks. Additionally, many nutritional factors, such as vitamin B deficiency or consuming too much caffeine and sugar have also been linked to panic attacks and anxiety disorders.

Phobias and mental health issues - people with phobic conditions can also be prone to panic attacks when dealing with exposure to the object or situation related to the phobia. For instance, those with a fear of heights may experience a panic attack in a glass elevator or standing near a precipice. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and experience with mental and physical abuse can also lead to panic attacks.

Drug and alcohol - many drugs, prescri

tion and illicit, can contribute to panic attacks. Anxiety is often a side effect of Ritalin and other medications. Marijuana smokers often experience mild to severe panic attacks when high.

Disease - hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia and other disorders that affect the body's chemistry can lead to attacks. Heart disease and inner-ear disturbances have also been shown to contribute to anxiety disorder.

Heredity - anxiety disorders can also be passed down in the family either by direct heredity or they may arise from conditions in created in the home life. For example, overly strict or overly-protective parents can leave a legacy of panic disorder for their children.

Coping with Panic Attacks

There are many temporary ways that sufferers employ to cope with attacks when they happen such as slow-breathing exercises, affirmations, "staying in the now" and talking. While these methods can provide relief, they don't prevent attacks from happening in the first place.

Long Term Treatment of Panic Attacks

Treatment of attacks has traditionally involved the prescription of powerful mind-altering drugs with several undesirable side effects or costly psychiatric therapy. Fortunately in recent years, practical and affordable self-treatment programs have been developed that address the root causes of panic attacks and help suffers get them under control and eventually eliminate them from their lives altogether.

Visit our website to learn more about safe, natural ways to stop panic attacks and general anxiety.

Steven K. Goodwin is a health and fitness writer for Health-Summit - an online magazine for physical health and mental well-being.