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.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Individuals with generalized anxiety order experience pathological anxiety. In other words, they constant worry about every aspect of their life. They live in constant fear of something bad happening, analyze and dissect what other people say and do (even what they, themselves, say and do), and avoid certain situations for fear of appearing inadequate or inferior. Typically generalized anxiety disorder can be treated through psychotherapy (talk therapy) which includes behavior therapy, aimed at retraining one’s thoughts and reactions to potential stressors.

Panic disorder/panic attacks

Perhaps, the most well-known but least understood is panic disorder, or panic attacks. The emotional and physical responses of a panic attack can be so severe that an individual may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack. Typically triggered by a stressful event, or the anticipation of a stress event (i.e., public speaking, taking a test, seeing an old boyfriend, a tax audit, appearing in court, or any other stressful event), panic attacks can induce a series of symptoms including: heart palpitations, cold sweats, trembling, muscle contracting, twitching, blurred vision, insomnia, shortness of breath, sensitivity to light and noise, racing thoughts, and irritability. Depending on the severity and the frequency of the panic attacks, individuals may benefit from counseling, support groups, antidepressants, exercise, and other natural anxiety treatments to help relieve stress.

Social anxiety

The underlying premise behind social anxiety is the fear of social situations, which stems from the fear of possible embarrassment, ridicule, prejudgment and/or humiliation. Individuals who suffer from social anxiety may avoid social interaction with strangers, or even avoid public places entirely. The very thought of being among a crowd of people, or walking down a busy street can be so intimidating that the individual may experience panic attacks. Social anxiety is generally treatable with therapy and, depending on the severity, medication.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a serious form of anxiety in which a person either relives a traumatic event from the past, or lives in constant fear another traumatic event is about to occur (or both). Once thought to be more common among veterans of war, psychologists are seeing PTSD in abused children, rape victims, survivors of natural disasters and other ordeals. PTSD can be a debilitating condition, interfering with daily activities and even interpersonal relationships. Many individuals with PTSD complain of terrifying thoughts and dreams, a constant sense of pending doom and paranoia, and may suffer from frequent, unexpected panic attacks at the slightest perception of danger or stress. PTSD usually requires psychotherapy and other natural treatments for anxiety.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is, perhaps, the more serious form of anxiety. OCD is indicative of a neurobiological dysfunction that causes an individual to repeat unnecessary rituals compulsively. Whether it be checking and rechecking to see if doors are locked multiple times, even after the individual knows the door is, in fact, locked; or compulsively washing hands and counting steps while walking, OCD often interferes with an individual?s ability to perform daily activities. While panic attacks are not necessarily symptomatic of OCD, individuals may experience intense anxiety manifested through panic attacks, at the thought of diverting from rigid patterns and/or when certain behaviors and routines are challenged.

Phobias

By definition, a phobia is the intense fear of something real or imagined. Whether it is the fear of snakes and spiders or the fear of heights and tunnels, phobias are irrational reaction toward a perceived danger. Phobias are more than anxiety; rather fear that manifests itself through illogical behaviors including avoidance, even panic attacks at the sheer thought of coming into contact with the object of fear.

In summary, anxiety is a very real condition. Yet, it is very treatable. If you suspect that you may be suffering from one of the aforementioned conditions, or you have a loved one battling anxiety, remember that you do not have to live in fear. There is hope. There are various treatments for anxiety designed 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.

So, what causes an anxiety attack? While it is not clear what exactly causes anxiety attacks (or panic attacks), it is understood that anxiety attacks are the result of a malfunction in an individual’s natural response to stress. It should be known that fear and panic are natural emotions exhibited by human beings in times of stress and that panic is very natural and common. Yet, individuals suffering from anxiety 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.

Using sensors that measure physiological arousal brought on by anxiety (such as changes in heart rate and muscle tension), biofeedback teaches you to recognize and control these body processes.

Hypnotherapy. Hypnosis for anxiety is conducted by a clinical hypnotherapist who works with you using different therapeutic techniques while you’re in a state of deep relaxation.

Acupuncture. An ancient tradition in popular Chinese medicine, acupuncture may also help reduce anxiety.

Furthermore, natural remedies for panic attacks include valerian root and kava. Remember, panic attacks are a very real disorder. Yet, you do not have to live with the pain of anxiety. Panic attacks are treatable.