Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Agoraphobia and Panic Attack Disorder

Panic attacks or panic disorder can develop into agoraphobia. It is possible to educate yourself on the connection between agoraphobia and panic attack disorder before it begins to ruin your life.

I started to feel funny, I felt strange somehow, I began to wonder if I was going to pass out. I suppose that is what is meant by a panic attack. My worst fear at the time was that there were lots of people around me, suppose I did pass out with all those people there. What would they think?

I just wanted to get home. Once I arrived home, and I can't actually remember getting there, I felt a lot better. But what if it happens again?


Agoraphobia and Panic Attack Disorder Are Ruining Your Life
By Denise Durbin

Many people do not realize that agoraphobia is a form of anxiety disorder that is quite common but highly treatable. Agoraphobia and panic attack disorder are closely in that an individually suffering from agoraphobia fears situations or settings where they feel out of control or fear the onset of a panic attack in public.

When a person suffers from panic attacks they run the risk of having these attacks in a public place. After the very first panic attack, the person might become fearful of having another attack in a place that they cannot control. Spending time in places where they might have a panic attack becomes impossible for these people and agoraphobia becomes the problem.

This is why it is so important that panic attacks be treated immediately so that they do not progress to a state that completely hinders the quality of life. If you have had the symptoms of a panic attack the first thing that you must do is visit the doctor and be properly diagnosed. If it does turn out to be a panic disorder, then you can take the first steps for treatment.

The doctor may prescribe medication that will help to ease the symptoms of a panic attack when it is taking place. There are also antidepressant medications that will help patients keep their panic attacks under control.

There are also behavior therapies that work very well in the treatment of panic attacks and disorders. The most important part of treatment is that the panic disorder does not reach the level of agoraphobia. Sometimes the fear of having an attack is enough to trigger one. It is necessary to learn to control this type of thinking and put it in check before it causes a panic attack to happen.

Unfortunately, people can literally talk themselves right into having a panic attack just by the simple act of talking and thinking about panic attacks. These thought patterns must be changed. Cognitive behavior therapy is one treatment that seeks to do that.

There are also natural treatments that work very well for some people with panic disorders. Hypnosis and breathing techniques along with meditation are some of the more common natural approaches to panic disorder.

If feelings of anxiety have started to affect your ability to go to work or do any of the normal functions of life, you might need a more aggressive therapy for your condition. You should monitor your progress while you are seeking treatment for panic disorders and report any changes in your condition to your doctor or therapist.

If you are having panic attacks and have been diagnosed with anxiety or panic disorder, you should educate yourself on the connection between agoraphobia and panic attack disorder. It is important that you get a handle on the panic attacks before they impair the quality of your life.

Don't let panic attacks ruin your life, you can control anxiety and avoid long term medications for anxiety and panic attack. Visit http://www.AnxietyandPanicAttack.net today and find out how.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denise_Durbin
http://EzineArticles.com/?Agoraphobia-and-Panic-Attack-Disorder-Are-Ruining-Your-Life&id=1546040

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