Anxiety in men and women: Who is more susceptible and why?
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Stereotypically, women are considered worriers while men are portrayed as footloose and fancy-free. In truth, anxiety is a natural emotion for all humans. In fact, anxiety helps us avoid harm and danger. However, it is when anxiety becomes a chronic, even debilitating condition leading to a variety of symptoms such as depression, compulsion, phobia, and/or panic attacks where a cause for concern lies. And, yes, women are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety disorders and panic attacks. As clinical social worker Jerilyn Ross, author of Triumph Over Fear: A Book of Help and Hope for People with Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Phobia, states “when anxiety becomes disproportionate to the situation and leads to avoidance of the fear-inducing situation and other undesirable consequences, it should be assessed”, she says. “And yes women are twice as likely to suffer.”But, why is it that women are more likely to experience anxiety and panic attacks than men?
Experts site both social/cultural and biological reasons that may contribute to a woman being more prone to anxiety and panic attacks than men. Cultural factors include the predominate ideal in society that women are expected to marry and raise children; that women are expected to bear the burdens of others and be caretakers, often to the neglect of their personal needs. Consequently, it is believed that because women are generally less assertive than men that women deal with more suppressed stress that eventually manifests itself through anxiety and/or panic. Additional biological contributors, experts say, may include women undergo more drastic physical changes than men—including menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause which effect hormones and mood. Yet, while the exact cause of anxiety and panic attacks is unknown, and the specific reasons behind why women are more likely than men to experience such are also speculative.
In sum, anxiety is a very real condition. And, as with any disease or disorder, anxiety is not a respecter of persons. If you suspect that you may be suffering from one of the aforementioned conditions, remember that you do not have to live in fear. There is hope. There are various treatments to help you cure yourself of anxiety and panic attacks. Knowledge is power! And you have the power to take that first step toward conquering anxiety.
How to diagnose a panic attack
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Your friends call you worrywart, because you are in a constant state of panic. Yet, something deep down tells you that its more than anxiety; rather, the episodic bouts of panic that feel much akin to a minor heartache are, perhaps, indicative of a very real condition known as panic disorder. If you do believe that you may, in fact, be suffering from this very real—and very treatable—disorder, here are several helps tips to help you identify the signs and symptoms of panic attacks, and what you can do to help yourself:
Take control of your life: How to handle panic attacks
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More than 150 million Americans suffer from panic attacks every year in the United States, according to the American Psychological Association. A racing, erratic heartbeat that feel akin to a heart attack; the sudden cold sweats; the sleepless nights tossing and turning—feeling that you can’t turn your mind off; the unquenchable pain in the pit of your stomach… it is enough to make you dread ever going out in public for fear that another panic attack might come unexpectedly. Yet, despite the pain of living with anxiety and panic attacks, there is hope. You do not have to live in fear. In this article, you will learn valuable tips for panic attacks—how to handle them, and take control of your life. Do not let panic attacks define you, as a person; rather, take control of your life by learning how to control your panic attacks.
Interestingly, with each anxiety attack you experience, your chance for more panic attacks increases. In other words, you become more physiologically prone to panic attacks. It’s akin to a pot of boiling water. The water has already begun to spill over, and the temperature does not decrease, the water will continue boiling over. The good news is that you do not have to walk on egg shells. In fact, more than nearly 90% of individuals who experience panic attacks find that, with treatment, they are able to manage their panic attacks. That said, here are some starter tips for panics attacks:
• Relax and breathe! Let’s face it. Stress takes a toll on us mentally and physically. Stressful events (or even anticipated stress) deregulate our breathing, making it shallow and even difficult. Hence, the reason why many patients who suffer panic attacks will complain of a shortness of breath. Studies show that mastering effective breathing techniques, and learning relax the muscles in our bodies can help minimize the onset of panic attacks, even offset them entirely. If you anticipate an anxiety attack, take several very deep breaths and releasing the air from the lungs. Doing this for approximately one minute will help relax us by bringing oxygen to each of the muscles.
Panic attacks: What causes them and how to reduce your chances of having one?
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It is 4:30 a.m. You have awoken suddenly from a nightmare; however, it wasn’t a nightmare. The sudden pain in your chest that pulsates throughout your body, the drops of sweat dripping from your brow, the dizziness—the symptoms are all too real. You may feel as though you are, quite literally, having a heart attack. Yet, you know better. It’s another panic attack. While many of us occasionally fret over life’s challenges, those who suffer panic attacks experience more than episodic stress; rather, a profound sense of fear and pending doom. The stress takes a physical toll on them, thus inducing a panic attack.
So, what causes a panic attack? While the exact causes of panic attacks (or, anxiety attacks) is relatively unknown, especially since fear and panic are natural emotions exhibited by human beings in times of stress or even danger. It is understood, however, that panic attacks are the result of a malfunction in an individual’s natural response to stress. Again, panic is natural. Yet, individuals suffering from panic attack disorder must learn to determine what triggered their response so as to better cope with reducing the frequency of attacks. For instance, if you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night worrying about your debts, or having difficulty falling asleep the night before an exam, you can logically ascertain that those are triggers. As such, you can begin learning effective coping mechanisms. In some instances, panic attacks are the result of natural causes (and not simply external stress of life events). For instance, asthma, diabetes, thyroid disorders, epilepsy, adrenal disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or acute respiratory distress syndrome can induce panic attacks, or even increase one’s likeliness for panic attacks. Additionally, if one is particularly prone to panic attacks, they may find it helpful to consult a therapist to determine whether or not the frequency is representative of a possible mood disorder such as borderline personality disorder (BPD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post traumatic stress (PTSD), or major depression. In doing so, effective natural anxiety cures can be identified.
Speaking of treating anxiety attacks, treatment is usually based on both frequency and severity. Common anxiety treatments include the following:
• Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, controlled breathing, and guided imagery may help reduce anxiety.
Conquering your fears: How anxiety and panic attacks affect others
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Millions of Americans suffer from panic attacks each year, according to the National Institutes of Health. Yet, anxiety and panic attacks not only affect the person suffering; rather, panic attacks affect friends, family members, and even coworkers, as well. If someone you care about is prone to anxiety and panic attacks, here is some helpful information and tips for panic attacks. In this article you will learn how panic attacks not only affect the individuals suffering, but how panic attacks affect you as the friend, family member, or associate.
For starters, the best way to support a loved one who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, even depression, is to be a sounding board. This may sound simple, but the trick is to maintain your own health and well-being; to not neglect your needs as you help care for the needs of others. Giving someone with anxiety permission to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns enables them to better cope with that anxiety. The objective in serving as a sounding board is to help the individual learn effective coping mechanisms. It is not, however, your job to take on the problem for them. Additionally, by allowing the person to communicate their feelings with you, they should begin to identify triggers and patterns so as to reduce their likeliness of future panic attacks. Through open, honest dialogue, they can learn how to change behaviors and find the proper anxiety treatment. Remember, it is not your job to take on the problem yourself; rather, be a source of strength and support.
That being said, other proven effective ways of helping a loved one dealing with anxiety and panic attacks include:
• Set personal boundaries. Sometimes when we love someone, we think that by saying “no” we are not being a good friend, spouse, caregiver, or even a good person. This is not true. By knowing our own personal limitations, we can actually serve our loved ones better. In being open and honest, and knowing our own limitations, the seeds of effective communication are bred. And, good communication is essential in any relationship. If a friend or spouse who knows that they can be honest with you, and get an honest response in return, will not only appreciate and trust you more, but will communicate with you more, as well. Moreover, by setting personal boundaries, you will avoid any potential resentment of the other person’s problems and struggles. You will also avoid emotional exhaustion. In other words, setting personal boundaries helps you maintain a level of self-preservation which is good for both you, and your loved one.
Understanding anxiety and panic attacks
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Understanding anxiety and panic attacks
Each of us experience stress and know what it feels like to worry. Yet, how do you know if the constant worrying you feel is actually symptomatic of something more serious—an anxiety disorder. Many individuals with anxiety disorders are often dismissed as lacking willpower to simply get over problems and buck up; rather, the overwhelming feeling of constant worry, fear, stress, insomnia, and muscle tension, even panic attacks are very real. Fortunately, anxiety disorders are treatable. Yet, in order to better understand anxiety disorders, we shall discuss common types of anxiety.
Anxiety Attacks: What Causes Them and How To Reduce Your Chances of Having One?
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It is 4:30 a.m. You have awoken suddenly from a nightmare; however, it wasn’t a nightmare. The sudden pain in your chest that pulsates throughout your body, the drops of sweat dripping from your brow, the dizziness—the symptoms are all too real. You may feel as though you are, quite literally, having a heart attack. Yet, you know better. It’s another panic attack. While many of us occasionally fret over life’s challenges, those who suffer panic attacks experience more than episodic stress; rather, a profound sense of fear and pending doom. The stress takes a physical toll on them, thus inducing a panic attack.
What Is A Panic Attack?
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Contrary to popular belief, panic attacks are symptomatic of a very real disorder. The profound sense of terror and doom, the piercing chest pains and shortness of breath, the hot (or cold) flashes, choking, dizziness, and heart palpitations are not imagined; rather, represent a disorder that affects more than one third of Americans. So, what exactly is a panic attack? So as to help you better understand panic attacks, and how to cure yourself of anxiety and panic attacks, let us examine the disorder as a whole.
Best Anxiety/Panic Attack Treatments
