Anxiety attacks are a debilitating disorder that affects several million people on a daily basis. In an anxiety attack, the body's fight-or-flight mechanism goes haywire and believes it is in immediate or present danger. A wealth of physical symptoms quickly take over the body leaving the person in fear of coping with the attack and the mere thought of another impending attack. With the help of breathing techniques, relaxation exercises, medication and other alternatives; anxiety can be controlled and prevented.
How to Prevent Anxiety Attacks
Step 1
Seek the advice of a medical professional before anxiety attacks take control over your lifestyle. He or she may prescribe anti-anxiety drugs such as Nardin, Lexapro, Paxil or Prozac. These medications will help combat depression and anxiety while allowing you to relax. The medical professional may also suggest cognitive behavioral therapy for dealing with underlying causes that may be triggering the attacks.
Step 2
Learn to desensitize yourself against common anxiety triggers. If freeway driving is the culprit, slowly start driving on the freeway to overcome the fear. Establish a buddy system to promote a sense of security and support.
Step 3
Avoid caffeine and other stimulants such as excessive amounts of sugar or energy drinks. Caffeine can also be found in many over the counter pills and medicines such as diet supplements and certain headache medicines. Caffeine and sugar can trigger and mimic symptoms of an anxiety attack such as rapid pulse or irregular heartbeat and lead to a full blown episode.
Step 4
Utilize relaxation techniques when an anxiety attack approaches. Remind yourself that no matter how bad the symptoms may get; rapid or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest tightness, sweating, tunnel vision, muscle weakness in legs--that it cannot kill you and as soon as the adrenaline in the body has dissipated the symptoms will disappear.
Step 5
Determine how high anxiety can get once a trigger kicks in. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest, learn what events or places can bring about an attack. Take medication or practice dealing with the symptoms as they come on and work on eventually lowering the number from a 10 to a O. Learn if medication works best alone or with a relaxation technique. Utilize meds and relaxation just before you think an attack may generate.
Step 6
Practice simple breathing exercises. Breathing from the base of the abdomen up through the nose, holding and then releasing will help slow the body down. Do this as you are approaching an anxiety trigger or stressful situation.
Step 7
Implement natural supplements and alternatives in place of medications if desired.
Tips and Warnings
- Seek medical help if anxiety symptoms are sudden or do not go away after a few minute-s--his could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Talk with your doctor about medication side effects and long term use.
Things You'll Need
- Medications- Lexapro, Nardin, Paxil and Prozac
- All natural supplements such as vitamin B complex, Kava Kava and St. Johns Wort for relaxation
- Buddy or support system
