Panic Attacks and Things That Go Bump in the Night Written by Dr. Dorothy McCoy
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As stated previously, panic attack symptoms are frightening. The attacks are especially disturbing when one does not understand why one¡¦s body is reacting in such a bizarre manner. A panic attack is an example of one¡¦s body doing what it was designed to do, yet, at an inappropriate time. The attacks are part of body¡¦s cautionary or alarm system. It is saying, ¡§Be alert, there is danger¡Xreact!¡¨ The autonomic nervous system cannot differentiate between a legitimate danger (an 18 wheeler running amuck) and environmental stress ¡§created¡¨ by life in worldwide web century. Heredity, other biological factors, stressful life circumstances, and thought patterns that create needless stress combine to encourage onset of panic attacks. The specific panic mechanism is unknown. However, be assured researchers are eagerly seeking answers. Is there any good news? Yes, panic attacks can be, and frequently are, successfully treated. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication are commonly recommended treatments. Anti-anxiety medication works rapidly to relieve distressing symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy contributes tools with which to cope more adaptively, thereby, reducing likelihood that panic attacks will reoccur. What can you do if you are currently experiencing panic attacks? Here are a few suggestions: ƒN Don¡¦t be frightened¡Xpanic attacks cannot harm you.ƒN Write everything you can remember about your attack immediately after it passes (You will gather important information about when, where and under what circumstances your attacks occur.). ƒNWatch those scary thoughts (The tunnel will not collapse. That is a safer bet than lottery.). ƒN Repeat to yourself, ¡§I will not look crazy, collapse, die or lose control.¡¨ ƒN Try breathing deeply. Breathe in through your nose, hold it a few seconds, and then breathe out through your mouth. We tend to breathe in shallow, rapid little breaths when we are anxious, which can exacerbate problem. ƒN Get professional help. Panic attacks are not an infrequent stress reaction. Panic sufferers have an abundance of company. According to National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 3 million Americans will have panic disorder at some time during their lives.
Dr. Dorothy McCoy has a doctorate in Counseling Psychology and a Masters in Clinical Counseling. She loves to travel, garden and hunt for antiques, especially McCoy pottery. She has trained her canine companion, Mattie Mae McCoy, to stay at home, sleep, ignore all commands and eat hamburger laden dog food (Please do not tell Dr. Mast-- Mattie¡¦s vet.). Mattie Mae has taught Dr. McCoy to work long, grueling hours to keep her in ground chuck.
| | Faith Does Move Mountains!Written by Lisa van den Berg
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When things get too much for you to handle, I always advise that you say following verse to yourself and follow its sage advice ‘I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If Life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in SFGTH (something for God to handle) box. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.’ Once matter is placed in box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead focus on all wonderful things that are present in your Life now. It works for me without fail. The stronger my Faith becomes more I know that I am not alone and that God will help me through everything in my life. I imagine Him to be sitting at back of hall when I give a speech, holding me in his arms when I cry, cradling me to sleep when I’m tired and pinning a gold medal on my jacket when I’ve achieved. Imagine a box and put all your cares and worries into it. Wrap it up nicely and hand it over to God and, as it says, don’t think about problems any longer, just know that answers will come in their own time. Keep an eye out for signs He will send, and soon you will have solution to all that troubles you. I do not know which verse in Bible this is, but it inspires me to keep Faith. ‘Worry not about what you should eat or drink or what you should wear, for your Heavenly Father knows you need all of these things, but first seek Kingdom of God and all these things will be given to you.’ May you find Faith you need to get where you want to go.
Lisa van den Berg is the author of ‘Alleviate Stress – How to WIN at the Game of Life!’ Take the free online Stress Test at http://www.Alleviate-Stress.com/web/ar5 to see how much stress you’re under and why you need to do something about it right now!
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