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Anxiety and stress have become part of the parcel of our everyday lives. Anxiety is an emotional response that every individual feels and it has a very meaningful purpose. However, when these emotions become uncontrollable, they can have adverse effects that impede our daily routines.
The theory that stress is the contributing cause of anxiety is widely known. Thus, in order to effectively overcome anxiety, stamping out the root of the problem is advised. Knowing what causes you the undue amount of stress is often the optimum diagnosis. The problem is that stress is a subjective disorder and hundreds of factors can lead to the culmination of stress.
Endorphins are the body’s inherent pain reliever and is known to help enhance mood. However, when there is an undue amount of stress and anxiety, the release of this neurotransmitter is hindered, causing the effects to become limited and diminished. The body then feels an elevated sense of dread.
This heightened state brings forth feelings that causes them to panic at an irrational level rendering them dysfunctional and hysteric. While the panic attack itself is not physically harmful, repeated bouts of emotional upheaval of this magnitude generates a cascade of destructive side effects.
The Start Of The Cycle
The onset of a full blown panic attack brought on by excessive worry is swift and comes without warning. Restlessness becomes prominent and the hands become moist with sweat while their complexion is either pale or flushed but always clammy. They perceive an unrealistic view of the current situation and things quickly deteriorate into a terror that is so crippling that many of the stricken feel as they will die right then and there, the situation is so dire that they will not survive. The attacks can last from minutes to hours but average about 30-45 minutes in length. The experience leaves them physically exhausted and mentally drained.
Anxiety and stress can also cause long term effects that are destructive in nature. The victim is often lethargic as he is unable to fall asleep due to constant worrying. Sleep deprivation can cause physical conditions such as migraines and irritability and clenched jaws and grinding teeth. The victim now also lacks the ability to concentrate as he is easily irritable. In worst case scenarios, he develops an explosive behaviour.
If treatment is not immediately sought, the victim can develop agoraphobia, which is a fear of the outdoors. He will refuse to leave the safety of his house. This only aggravates matters because now he has another problem on his hands, and he will to worry about his anxiety attacks.
Treatment and Road To Recovery
Physiological reasons for panic attacks that are not brought on by anxiety and stress include hypoglycemia, thyroid disorders, heart attacks and other myocardial complications are more readily controlled as it is merely a matter of treating the underlying cause. Those that develop mood disorders generally respond well to a mix of psychotherapy, behavior modification and medications.
Also important is a change to a healthier lifestyle, workouts are encouraged not only for the physical benefits but also for it’s stress relief values, blowing off steam as it were. Diet is also a concern consuming foods and supplements that favor the benefits of a healthy mental state. Hypnotherapy helps alleviate some phobias and has been enjoying increased popularity as a treatment. Early detection is the key, the sooner you treat the symptoms, the greater your chance of keeping further episodes at bay.
Trevor Mosley is an ex-sufferer of anxiety and panic attacks. Visit his website today in order to discover how you can conquer your anxiety and panic attacks once and for all.
