Has this ever happened to you, out of the blue, for apparently no reason at all? You suddenly start experiencing any or all of the following symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort such as tightness, lightheaded, dizziness, faint, palpitations, a pounding heart, sweating, trembling or shaking, a choking sensation, nausea or stomach cramps, numbness or a tingling sensation, chills or hot flashes.
Then you experience a fear of losing control or going crazy and even a fear of dying.
If you suffer from anxiety, then you already know that you are having an attack. If you are experiencing most of the symptoms above and do not know what is happening to you, there's a good chance that it is an anxiety/panic attack.
The first thing you should do is to have your doctor check you out. Do not be afraid to have it checked if you think it's anxiety. At one time, people would feel embarrassed when they found out that it was "all in their head". But it's not all in your head. Anxiety and panic attacks are real and you'd be surprised to learn how many people suffer from this condition. Sadly, many suffer quietly at home, too afraid to venture beyond their safe place.
I have had anxiety attacks on and off for over 20 years. My doctor told me it was anxiety, but I was told to simply try to relax.
Over the years, more has been learned about anxiety and panic attacks, as well new drugs have been developed to alleviate them.
But the drugs only mask the symptoms and they come with many unwanted side effects. I was also told that I would be on the drug for two years, then I would have to stop taking them and go through withdrawal.
So I stopped taking my prescription after a few days. I decided that I would have to find a way to stop the attacks myself.
Here is what has worked for me. First, make the decision that you are going to take charge and be anxiety free. Imagine how it would feel to always feel good, to be able to go anywhere you want to go, to stand in crowds or in line-ups and be calm and relaxed just like everyone else. Remember, thoughts do create and if you keep thinking about the attacks, they do get worse.
Do deep breathing exercises as often per day as you can remember. Breathe deeply through your nostrils. Breathe not only with your chest, but take a deep breath and expand your stomach. Exhale through your mouth. This seems to work much better than exhaling through your nostrils, but you can try it both ways to see which works best for you.
I have learned that deep breathing is a good practice for anyone. It helps to increase your oxygen and rid the body of toxins and increase your energy.
Your doctor will tell you to eliminate coffee, tobacco and alcohol from your lifestyle. This is good advice, however, if you feel that it is too much to ask of you at this time. I have some suggestions to follow so that you can still work on your goal of being anxiety free without having to give up so much at once.
You can start out by cutting back on your coffee. Too much coffee can make you jittery and bring on an attack. I still have my coffee many times throughout the day, but I only drink a half cup at a time. So I have cut my intake in half and it feels like it gives me the same lift as drinking a full cup.
If you smoke, but feel that you cannot give up the cigarettes at this time, do the same thing as I did for the coffee. When you want a cigarette, only smoke half at a time.
I chose to eliminate alcohol altogether. Even if I only drank a small amount, it was enough to guarantee an attack the next day. Alcohol does effect people differently, so if you find that alcohol does not always cause you to have an attack the next day, still try to reduce the amount you drink.
Exercise can help a lot. You do not have to do strenuous exercises. I practice Qi Gong. It caught my attention when I read how it can stop anxiety. The exercises are easy, even 10 minutes a day can work for you. It has for me.
Qi Gong exercises are energy work. When you have an energy blockage in your body, it will cause dis-ease. By practicing Qi Gong, you remove the blockage and you can feel better rather quickly. When you practice Qi Gong, you not only heal your own body, but you increase your energy so that you can heal others. I have seen some amazing healings with Qi Gong. So it was no surprise that it can cure anxiety, too.
Another suggestion, which is rather interesting, concerns the stimulation of the "amygdala", which is a small almond shaped organ in the brain. You actually have two of them, one on each side of your brain.
I learned about the amygdala when I stumbled across a website that told how by stimulating them with your thoughts, it would increase your awareness, intelligence, etc.
There were times when I was feeling good that I would feel a sensation on my forehead. It would be a tingling feeling, or like someone was lightly touching my forehead with their hand. That is the same sensation that I can produce at any time now by putting my attention on my forehead.
What is interesting about the amydala is that there is a method for curing anxiety, panic and phobias that says that the amygdala is responsible for those conditions and that this fact has been known for many years and is common knowledge among scientists the world over.
So there could be something to it, based on my own experience. I still make it a point to focus my attention on my forehead around the area of the amydala everyday. You might to give that a try too.
The thing is, you don't have to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. And you don't have to settle for addictive prescription drugs in order to feel better. There is an abundance of help available to you and it is all natural.
I wish you much success in your healing!
Copyright 2005
Written by Susan Norrad, editor and publisher of The Universe Of Abundant Life Ezine. Find out how you can take control and create the life you want, look and feel great, be happy and successful. http://universeofabundantlife.com
Parasites, commonly thought of as only affecting those in developing... Read More
If you experience a sharp pain in your heel at... Read More
Migraine headaches must be one of the great equalizers that... Read More
Hypnotherapy is one of the best known and most widely... Read More
Hypnotherapy is the process of using hypnosis to unlock the... Read More
This is a very simplified primer on basic Reiki. It's... Read More
Most dictionaries define pandemic as "an epidemic that is geographically... Read More
Back in the late 1800's the railroad came to life.... Read More
Mom was right to insist on us eating our vegetables.... Read More
Swedish massage is the most common form of relaxation massage... Read More
The eucalyptus is a popular Australian remedy that was first... Read More
In recent years the issue of Alternative Healing has skyrocketed... Read More
Introduction to A Healing Crisis An increasing number of people... Read More
Have you ever read or have been told that "it... Read More
If you experienced a day filled with running from one... Read More
A hot cup of tea might be just the thing... Read More
Hemorrhoids are conditions where there is a swelling of the... Read More
Alex Wrote;"What is the difference after the kundalini awakens, and... Read More
This question most gamblers ask themselves when they begin to... Read More
Visualization statements represent the specific language that your subconscious wants... Read More
If you're in chronic pain, you probably want 7 things.... Read More
Autism is a developmental disorder and the specific cause for... Read More
Use of herbs for health and as a medicine has... Read More
Ask someone their reason for getting a massage and you're... Read More
You might think of lemon and parsley as great garnishes... Read More
"Neuropathic" means nerve damage and refers to nerve pain. So... Read More
Hands up all those who can't get through the day... Read More
Although health and healing are the common goals of Traditional... Read More
Everyone at some point in time has experienced some form... Read More
I would like to report some anecdotal research findings that... Read More
Citrus oils are perhaps one of the more popular essential... Read More
Organic fresh made juices have cleansing and laxative action, which... Read More
Polyphasic sleep - also known as *Uberman's Sleep Schedule*, consists... Read More
What's the big deal with oregano? Many of you have... Read More
The practice of Tai Chi combines flowing movement and breathing... Read More
Although the word aromatherapy has not been around forever, the... Read More
The training of our eye doctors in this country is... Read More
I have always been amazed at the clinical results that... Read More
Perhaps a little eclipsed by the world-wide success of Rooibos,... Read More
For a few weeks the lumps in my throat were... Read More
"Oh, how densely packed your head is, my sweet," sighs... Read More
Using digestive enzymes when you have hemorrhoids is a good... Read More
Do you like the arthritis pain relief you get from... Read More
Interest in medicinal herbs is on the rise again and... Read More
Visualization and guided imagery are two of the most powerful... Read More
The near extinct bois de santal has a sensual and... Read More
I have been reading a lot lately on the subject... Read More
Clicking a mouse isn't exactly vigorous exercise, so I thought... Read More
What is The Powerbreathe?POWERbreathe is the result of nearly a... Read More
Cranberry Juice is very rich in Antioxidants and Nutrients which... Read More
Alternative Medicine Alternative Medicine |