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Anxiety is a normal human emotion ranging from mild uneasiness to extreme terror. It can be brief, almost fleeting or can last all day. Anxiety is an unpleasant sensation combining feelings of fear and dread with a variety of bodily sensations. These sensations may include dizziness, digestive discomfort, numbness and tingling, changes in vision, as well as stiff muscles, trembling, shortness of breath, feelings of choking, rapid heart beat, and sometimes even chest pain. Since most people do not associate these physical symptoms with anxiety, they often believe that they are physically sick and seek medical attention. It is this response to the normal sensations of anxiety which results in panic attacks. Panic attacks can be triggered by many life activities, such as driving, being in a crowd, being in open spaces, riding in elevators, and many others. Avoiding situations which have triggered panic attacks results in increased intensity and frequency of the attacks. Left untreated, these attacks can become phobias, or crippling fears controlling life.
Fortunately, much research has been done on panic disorder. Cognitive Behavioral Treatment has been shown to be extremely successful. It includes learning about the body’s natural responses to anxiety, restructuring thoughts and beliefs regarding the body’s responses, and learning breathing techniques which reduce and eliminate symptoms. Most patients are able to resume their normal activities after a few months of treatment.
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