Has this ever happened to you? You are minding your own business, trying to get on with your day,standing in line at the gas station waiting patiently for your morning shot of caffeine when suddenly someone mentions an accident on the one bridge that will take you to your job. The coffee in your hand feels heavier, but your breath feels lighter. Voices that were once crisp and clear, turn into slurred background noise. You head begins to pound. Not only can you feel your heart pulsing through your chest, but you can hear it to. Bum-Bum-Bum! An obnoxiously loud drum beat that earplugs and wishful thinking will not make go away. A few people may stop for a second to notice you are sweating, gripping the coffee so tightly that its implosion is inevitable. You tell yourself to stop being ridiculous. A minor accident on a bridge should not be controlling your emotions this much, yet it is and in less than five seconds you will be in the midst of a full-blown panic attack.

Panic Attacks are Real

Did you know that, according to mental health experts, an estimated 2.5 million people are affected daily by feelings of anxiety that can easily escalate to a full-blown panic attack? Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from panic attacks that become disruptive to our daily lives. While it may seem comical and insane to non-suffers that a person could allow an inconsequential event to cause them distress, it is far from a joking matter. Women who suffer from panic attacks often find their quality of life diminish. They tend to make choices out of fear rather than out of pleasure or joy.

Women who are affected by panic disorders may find that they:

• Avoid places that may trigger a panic attack causing them to limit experiences; creating less opportunities for panic attacks
• Worry constantly, obsessively, that they will have another panic attack.
• Make frequent trips to their doctor or the emergency room because they believe the symptoms of their panic attacks are something far worse like a heart attack or a stroke.
• Refuse invitations to social gathering because of the uncertainty of unfamiliar places.

Could I Be Suffering a Panic Attack?

The symptoms of a panic attack vary in severity from person to person. WebMD lists the following as general symptoms of a panic attack.

• Feelings of panic, fear, and uneasiness
• Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts
• Repeated thoughts or flashbacks of traumatic experiences
• Nightmares
• Ritualistic behaviors, such as repeated hand washing
• Problems sleeping
• Cold or sweaty hands and/or feet
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• An inability to be still and calm
• Dry mouth
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Nausea
• Muscle tension
• Dizziness

Have you recognized one or more of these symptoms when confronted with a situation that made you fearful or uncomfortable? If so, you may have experienced a panic attack. Of course, self-diagnosis is never an accurate way to make a medical determination about your mental or physical health. Consulting your doctor, telling your physician about your concerns will provide you with the answers that you need.

If I Suffer from Panic Attacks Will I Be Dependent on Medication?

Medication is one way to treat the symptoms of a panic attack, but medication alone is not the cure for panic attacks. You have to move past your fear. If you are that person, standing in line, crushing your coffee cup and freaking out because of traffic on a bridge, what is your fear? The fear of traffic? The fear of being stuck on a bridge with no where to go?

You fears are valid. Do not dismiss them, but in order to live the best life you can live you have to defeat those fears. Medication can help with the physicality of the panic attack, but how do you deal with the fear?

Conquering Fears

When someone suffers from mental anguish (and yes, panic attacks are mental anguish), we automatically think that an appointment with a mental health professional is the answer. We also secretly hope that the couch is comfy, while hoping nobody discovers that we are spending our lunch in a shrink’s office. The stigma of seeking help from a professional still exists, especially for women. Women don’t want to appear “emotional” and “needy.” Which isn’t the case at all, but a stigma exists from preconceived prejudicial views. And when you are in the middle of a panic disorder, changing the world’s view isn’t on the top of your priority list. You just want to get through the day undetected, without panic, and find a way to manage your life.

If you seeking therapy is not something you feel comfortable doing at the moment, there is another solution that can help you conquer your fears. A program called Panic Away, provides a therapeautic, first aid kit for panic attacks complete with a Panic Away book, DVD and CDs to help you release general anxiety from the comfort of your own couch. Panic Away puts you in control.

C.B, one of our Twitter followers, shared her experience with Panic Away.

“I tried the traditional talk-therapy, but I felt intimidated and embarrassed. I knew my fears were irrational. That I needed help. I knew the psychologist wasn’t judging, but going to the therapist became another trigger for my panic. Which is why I decided to try a program that I could control.”

Panic Attacks are Individual

Nobody experiences panic attacks the same way. Only you know how you feel when the gnawing despair and fear set in. There is not one solution for everyone. However, whether you choose medication, traditional talk therapy or a program like Panic Away, conquering your fears and kicking your panic attacks to the curb are essential steps in reclaiming your life.

Do not let fear control you! Give it a swift kick in the face and move on with your life.

How did you conquer your panic attacks?

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