Saturday, December 27, 2008

Panic Attack or Anxiety Attack?

By Jack Collins

Anxiety and panic attacks are related but have their own unique symptoms. Both conditions cause problems if the symptoms become extreme. If they do, then that's the time to find treatment.

Anxiety is normal and is simply a reaction to stress. Anxiety occurs in different areas of life, such as work, school, or public speaking, and helps someone deal with the situation. But if anxiety becomes a fear of everyday situations, it has become a life-changing disorder.

Panic attacks and anxiety differ in the fact that, while anxiety usually builds to a point, panic attacks can hit at any time with no warning. Unlike anxiety, a panic attack is an irrational fear of something that can't be named. There is rarely any obvious reason for the feelings of panic, and is much more intense than the feelings of anxiety or being overly stressed.

At some point in their lives, 1 in 75 people will suffer from a panic attack. Fortunately, it will be their one and only panic attack. But statistics show that anxiety attacks and panic attacks are far more common than other emotional discovers like ADHD, OCD, depression, phobias, and schizophrenia. Also, sufferers of anxiety and panic attacks rarely seek help for these conditions.

Of course, there are similarities between panic attacks and anxiety attacks, and anxiety attacks can lead to panic attacks. Suffer from enough anxiety and it can escalate into a panic attack. So if you begin to find yourself becoming overly anxious, it's time to get help in bringing it under control before it gets too much to cope with.

Panic attacks and anxiety are not pleasant and can actually become quite debilitating. However, anyone who suffers from either or both of these should take heart in knowing that there is help available to enable the person with this disorder to lead a normal life. All it takes is asking for the help you need.

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