Joe Barry's Panic Away Review

Panic Away Review - Quit All That Nonsense About Panic Away Scam

2008-12-06T03:40:00.000-08:00

If you are on my blog looking for panic away information then I need not to introduce this program to you, this is one of the most powerful Anti-Anxiety and Anti-Panic
programs available. Easy-to-follow instructions will teach you the One Move®, a technique that can effectively eliminate fear, anxiety and panic attacks completely and forever. Learn More About It Here: http://www.panicportal.com

Many people experience anxiety, fear or panic at some point in their lives. However, if it happens too often, and on an occasion that does not warrant such a reaction, it becomes a serious mental disorder. Anxiety disorders usually happen gradually. Many victims experience escalating symptoms for six months before it becomes a full-blown illness. To spot an anxiety disorder symptom, be aware of the following items.

-sweating
-heart palpitations
-trembling
-feelings of unreality
-shortness of breath
-chest discomfort
-faintness

Panic Away Program has been developed by Joe Barry, a former sufferer of all too frequent panic attacks.

Joe recovered himself from those attacks and since then has been working to help other people get out of it.

Panic Away is a completely natural approach to eliminating 100% of anxiety and panic attacks within minutes. This may seem very hard to believe for someone who may have had this condition for some time, but through Panic Away the information is now available to be free from anxiety. In his easy-to-follow program, Joe reveals the whole technique to you.

Users are amazed at how such a simple technique known as the One Move™ technique could be so powerful in restoring them back to their former care free self. Not only this program eliminates panic attacks in a very short time, but also gets your general anxiety level right back down to zero so that you don't suffer from panic attacks ever after.

Panic Away teaches a number of effective techniques for dealing with panic attacks and various kind of anxiety levels.

Learn to avoid making the one mistake almost everyone makes during a panic attack episode.
Learn how what you eat and how you exercise today will effect the power and intensity of your next panic attack. In addition Panic Away outlines the foods, the correct exercises along with some massage pressure points that will completely eliminate all background anxiety.
Never fearing to leave your home or to be alone and to trust that your body is in no danger.
Make appointments or socialize with people and never again dread you might have to leave unexpectedly half way through.
Give a speech or presentation without any concern of having a panic attack.
Feel confident to fly, drive or travel by any means you choose without concern.
Stop nocturnal panic and anxiety that can keep you up at night.
Be free from unsettling thoughts that can encircle your mind.

One-on-One Coaching Sessions

As part of the Panic Away Program, clients recieve unlimited one-to-one coaching from Joe Barry should they request it.

I have researched and discussed this program at level with a large number of people. One of the most comforting aspect is that Joe has placed a lot of video testimonials on his website. How many people can do that? Those videos are of people like you and me who have been able to fight their panic disorders with the help of the program.

I can confidently say that anyone else who tries this program will find it very useful. Saving a few bucks is not worth your life or the suffering that you are enduring. Moreover if this program does not works for you, you can get your money back. I think that is another clue that Joe truly understands the mind of anxiety patients.

My rating is five star for this program. Check it out.

Click Here To Visit Panic Away Site.

http://www.panicportal.com

Panic Attack Vs Panic Experience

2008-12-04T21:19:00.000-08:00

Everybody experiences some kinda situation which they feel some kinda panic. You might leave your keys locked in the car when you are far away from help. It will surely make you panic as you sense your helplessness.

However a panic attack sufferer has an entirely different magnitude of suffering. In an intense panic attack a person may feel that they are dying, going crazy or losing control completely. They may see some kinda a drastic thing happening around them. The may have very very strong feeling of things around them being unreal and they may need emergency help. They may stop leaving the house altogether. Someone suffering from agoraphobia might completely shun the use of driveway.

If you are a victim of panic attack you need help.. Don't try to be brave and treat it as just a normal anxiety.

What Are Different Types Of Depression

2008-12-01T09:09:00.000-08:00

There are several different forms of depression and anxiety. Here are few of them :

Major Depression –

This kinda depression prevents you from your normal functioning. It is a combination of interfering systems that disturb your normal daily routine and negatively affect your capacity to work, eat, sleep, study and other seemingly routine activity.

dysthymic disorder –

This kind of depression is normally a long term depression. A person might be suffering for 2 or more years. However the symptoms are not as server - you might not be disabled from your daily activities but it does prevents the patient from feeling good.

psychotic depression –

Psychotic depression is a condition when a severe depressive illness is present along with psychosis. Examples of psychosis could be halluciantions or delusions.

postpartum depression –

A special case if a new mother develops a depressiion after a month of delivering the baby. This is normally accentuated in winters when there is less natural sunlight and normally goes away in spring.

Yoga For Panic Relief

2008-05-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

What do Yoga and positive thinking have to do with each other? Think no further than the Yogic practice of meditation. Meditation, for positive thought, is a foundational component of Yoga. Without meditation, we are only practicing a part of Yoga.

In the Yoga Sutras, written by Maharishi Patanjali, he describes the “Eight Limbs of Yoga.” Some Gurus and Yoga teachers look at these limbs as steps, but the final four stages, limbs, or steps, concern meditation. To look for solutions, within yourself, will empower you to help those around you and make the world a better place.

The brain waves in your mind are much similar to the turmoil of the ocean, but with training in meditation you can learn to harness the power of your mind from within. During a meditation session, you can focus on an external object or on yourself.

Whatever you do, when you practice meditation, your thoughts must be positive, and you must make the time. The focused mind is productive, can make a difference, and does not have anxiety.

With this formula, you are free from anxiety at any time you wish to meditate. On top of this, meditation has no mental or physical side effects. Some people practice walking meditation, which is a relief to the mind and body. There are many forms of meditation, but all of them lead to a state of bliss.

Medication For Anxiety Relief

2008-05-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

Medication is another method of treatment. Medicines help relieve physical symptoms of the disease. A combination of medication and other therapies is generally recommended. Anxiolytic agents such as benzoprenes and some other antidepressants are commonly used for anxiety relief.

Herbs with clinically proven mood-enhancing properties, such as valerian root, St. John's Wort, rhodiola rosea, bacopa, ginseng, and kava kava, also used to relieve anxiety. A balanced diet containing zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B-complex are also used in the diet to relieve anxiety disorders. Some believe that an enriched diet can help an individual avoid many of the anxiety disorders.

In addition to regular treatments, several relaxation techniques are also recommended for anxiety relief. Muscle relaxation techniques and breathing exercises can rejuvenate the brain tissues. Spirituality is ideal for mental relief. Engaging in favorite activities and participating in social activities are also good for anxiety relief.

The first step for anxiety panic attack relief

2008-04-21T02:45:00.000-07:00

The first step to learn anxiety panic attack relief is to believe that you have the ability to take control. Anxiety disorder is not a disease it’s a state of mind that can be controlled. The body responds to the messages sent to it by your mind, even if the situation is totally safe but your mind interprets it as unsafe, your body will respond to what you think. The first step in anxiety panic attack relief is changing the way you think. During anxiety attacks, tell to yourself “I will be alright, this cannot harm me and I will feel better.” Your mind and the way you think can control your anxiety physical symptoms. Changing your negative thoughts to positive thoughts will decrease and eliminate your physical symptoms.

Breathing exercises is another anxiety panic attack relief that you can do. During anxiety attacks you experience hyperventilation or you are breathing faster causing dizziness, shortness of breath and other anxiety disorder symptoms. By changing the way you breathe during attacks you can lessen your symptoms. Deep and slow breathing will help you to feel more relax and calm. Take a deep breathe through your nose, hold it for 3 seconds and exhale slowly.

Healthy Lifestyle With balanced emotions

2008-04-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

You see, to have a healthy lifestyle we need to have balanced emotions and good mental health. If we live in constant anxiety we focus too much energy on problems and possible solutions. For example, if we're having marriage difficulties we tend to worry not only about the unhappy state of affairs, but also about the consequences.

And this can lead to even more nervousness and anxiety - leading in turn to anti-social habits such as:

* heavy drinking or smoking

* abuse of drugs

* over-reactions

* poor concentration

* and a deterioration in our relationships with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors.

When prolonged this state of affairs can lead to depression and serious mental ill-health. At that point prescribed medication may be the only answer. But why let it get to that point? You can combat stress and find many forms of natural anxiety relief by taking your emotions and lifestyle in control.

One tip for anxiety relief

2008-03-20T03:48:00.000-07:00

Anxiety, like nausea brings a sense of dread and helplessness. It will mask itself in mild discomfort that interrupts a flow of thought, a remembrance or reverie or it can strike like psychophysiological lightening that puts us in a disorienting state of emotional chaos and terror. What can be do to reduce our anxieties? The key is learning how to breathe properly.

Here is the tip for you:

Sit in a comfortable chair with your back straight (not tensed) and your feet on the floor. You can also lie down to do this exercise. The diaphragm is located at the center, below the rib cage and above the abdomen. The diaphragm is shaped like a bowl that is upside down Press the fingers of your right or left hand gently against the diaphragm. Inhale through the nose. As you inhale you will feel a slight resistance between your fingers and the diaphragm. The inhalation brings air into your lungs. When you exhale through the nose, the air is released from the lungs. Each individual learns through practice how many counts are optimal on the inhale and exhale cycle. Do what is comfortable for you.

What Are The Cause of Anxiety - " The Origins of Fear "

2008-01-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

Is it possible to know the cause of anxiety disorders? Anxiety attacks happen more frequently than one would suspect. Chronic anxiety is debilitating and affects the lives of innumerable individuals. Fear is quite a natural human reaction. However, if the fear has no tangible cause, then it becomes a disorder. It may be said that anxiety disorders are like forming incorrect habits. The fear response is linked to a stimulus that presents no real danger. The cause of anxiety disorders can be numerous.

Cause of Anxiety – A Rundown

Lack of Balanced Nutrition - While not likely the major cause for anxiety problems, an unhealthy diet can help increase a person’s chances of developing anxiety problems. A diet rich in carbohydrates can cause high insulin levels which can affect sugar levels. High sugar-levels have a role in affecting a person’s mood. Eating a more balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and fish will easily correct insulin levels.

Physical Inactivity – It’s not only good for our bodies. Exercise plays an important role in emotional and mental well-being. Hormonal balance is strongly linked to the levels physical activity a person has. Hormones can affect emotions and thinking patterns in humans. Exercising for at least one hour a day has been shown to improve and stabilize hormone levels. To prove how important hormone levels are, some patients with anxiety disorders actually get hormonal therapy from their doctors.

Stressful Environment – Constant stress is bad for the mind. A study reveals that a significant number of people who have anxiety disorders have a history of dysfunctional families where stress and anxiety levels were very high. People can avert disorders by practicing stress management and relaxation techniques to combat the stress.

Sleep Deprivation – Lack of sleep affects the body in so many ways. It affects brain activity and hormonal levels. It is a well-known fact that sleep-deprived individuals tend to be cranky. This could exacerbate stressful situations. Having enough sleep is important.

Drug Abuse – Another leading cause of anxiety disorders is substance abuse. Some forms of anxiety disorders have their roots from drug intake. This is yet another reason why preventing drugs is important.

What Is Panic And Anxiety

2008-01-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

Technically, Anxiety is as much a part of life as eating and sleeping & under the right circumstances, anxiety is beneficial. It heightens alertness and readies the body for action. It gives the person a chance to prepare for the upcoming event. For example, many people practice speeches and study for tests as a result of mild anxiety. Likewise, anxiety or fear and the urge to flee are a protection from danger.

I am quoting this from a reputed website(healthyplace.com):
"'Anxiety' is a word so commonly used that many people don't understand what it means in mental health care. Complicating matters is the fact that "anxiety" and fear are often used to describe the same thing. When the word "anxiety" is used to discuss a group of mental illnesses, it refers to an unpleasant and overriding mental tension that has no apparent identifiable cause. Fear, on the other hand, causes mental tension due to a specific, external reason, such as when your car skids out of control on ice.'

People with generalized anxiety disorder suffer with unrealistic or excessive anxiety and worry about life circumstances. For example, they may feel panicky about financial matters even though they have a good bank balance and have paid their debts.

Panic disorders are not uncommon. They afflict 1.5 million Americans during any six-month period. Victims suddenly suffer intense, overwhelming terror for no apparent reason. There is a poll along side that shows the most common symptoms faced by majority of people.

The fear is accompanied by at least four of the following symptoms. If you feel or have felt these symptoms then you might be in need of a treatment. It is better to take a proper advice and treatment. This is something that is very easily curable, the only thing you need is self control and proper guidance. I recommend you either meet your doctor or if you want to get over it yourself you may find panic away program quite useful.

Read about it here.

Panic Away Review

2007-12-24T09:57:00.001-08:00

This is the first post to panic away blog, it is supposed to address if panic away is worth the salt it promises or is it just another scam!

Eliminate Anxiety and Panic Attacks For Good -Article By Joe Barry - Panic Away

2007-12-21T10:04:00.000-08:00

If you suffer from...

* Palpitations

* a pounding heart, or an accelerated heart rate

* Sweating

* Trembling or shaking

* Shortness of breath

* A choking sensation

* Chest pain or discomfort

* Nausea or stomach cramps

* Derealization (a feeling of unreality)

* Fear of losing control or going crazy

* Fear of dying Numbness or a tingling sensation

* Chills or hot flashes

...then you've experienced firsthand some of the possible symptoms of a panic or anxiety attack. If you are reading this page because a loved one suffers from these symptoms and you are trying to understand or help, it's hard to appreciate what they go through.

Just try to imagine what it feels like to experience one, if you can.

Here is a typical example:

Standing in a supermarket queue, it’s been a long wait but only one customer to go before you make it to the cashier. Wait, what was that sensation? An unpleasant feeling forms in your throat, your chest feels tighter, now a sudden shortness of breath, and what do you know—your heart skips a beat. “Please, God, not here.”

A quick scan of the territory—is it threatening? Four unfriendly faces queue behind, one person in front. Pins and needles seem to prick you through your left arm, you feel slightly dizzy, and then the explosion of fear as you dread the worst. You are about to have a panic attack.

There is no doubt in your mind now that this is going to be a big one. Okay, focus: Remember what you have been taught, and it is time now to apply the coping techniques. Begin the deep breathing exercise your doctor recommended. In through the nose, out through the mouth.

Think relaxing thoughts, and again, while breathing in, think “Relax,” and then breathe out. But it doesn’t seem to be having any positive effect; in fact, just concentrating on breathing is making you feel self-conscious and more uptight.

Okay, coping technique 2:

Gradual muscle relaxation. Tense both shoulders, hold for 10 seconds, then release. Try it again. No; still no difference. The anxiety is getting worse and the very fact that you are out of coping techniques worsens your panic. If only you were surrounded by your family, or a close friend were beside you so you could feel more confident in dealing with this situation.

Now, the adrenaline is really pumping through your system, your body is tingling with uncomfortable sensations, and now the dreaded feeling of losing complete control engulfs your emotions. No one around you has any idea of the sheer terror you are experiencing. For them, it’s just a regular day and another frustratingly slow queue in the supermarket.

You are out of options. Time for Plan C.

The most basic coping skill of all is “fleeing.” Excuse yourself from the queue; you are slightly embarrassed as it is now that it is your turn to pay. The cashier is looking bewildered as you leave your shopping behind and stroll towards the door. There is no time for excuses—you need to be alone. You leave the supermarket and get into your car to ride it out alone. Could this be the big one? The one you fear will push you over the edge mentally and physically. Ten minutes later the panic subsides.

It’s 10:30 a.m. How are you going to make it through the rest of the day?

If you suffer from panic or anxiety attacks, the above scenerio probably sounds very familiar. It may have even induced feelings of anxiety and panic just reading it. The particular situations that trigger your panic and anxiety may differ; maybe the bodily sensations are a little different. Or maybe it happened to you for the first time on a plane, in the dentist chair, or even at home, while doing nothing in particular.

If you have ever had what has become known as a “panic attack,” take comfort in the fact that you are by no means alone.

A panic attack always comes with the acute sense of impending doom. You feel you are either about to lose your mind or one of your vital bodily functions is about to cease functioning and you will end your days right there among the canned goods and frozen food.

You are by no means alone; you’re not even one in a million. In America, it is estimated that almost 5% of the population suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. For some, it may be the infrequent panic attacks that only crop up in particular situations-like when having to speak in front of others, while, for other people, it can be so frequent and recurring that it inhibits them from leaving their home. Frequent panic attacks often develop into what medical physicians refer to as an “anxiety disorder.”

One of the first steps to regaining control of your life is getting helpful information. This site will give you that, and more.

The beginning of your recovery starts here. What you will learn is that there is a very good chance you are about to end the cycle of panic attacks in your life. You will learn not only to regain the carefree life you remember once having, but will also gain new confidence in living. Your answer to living free from “panic” or “anxiety attacks” is at hand.

This site demonstrates that the panic and anxiety that you have experienced will be the very key to your courage and success.

Begin the road to recovery by browsing through the site. While many of you may have read almost everything you can possibly read relating to panic and anxiety I assure you this site offers something very effective.

Did you know...?

The key difference between someone who is cured of panic attacks and those who are not is really very simple. The people who are cured no longer fear panic attacks. I’ll try to show you how to be one of these people as well.

What if I told you the trick to ending panic and anxiety attacks is to want to have one. That sounds strange, even contradictory, but let me explain.

The trick to panic attacks is wanting to have one-the wanting pushes it away. Can you have a panic attack in this very second? No!

You know the saying that "what you resist, persists." Well that saying applies perfectly to fear. If you resist a situation out of fear, the fear around that issue will persist. How do you stop resisting–you move directly into it, into the path of the anxiety, and by doing so it cannot persist.

In essence what this means is that if you daily voluntarily seek to have a panic attack, you cannot have one. Try in this very moment to have a panic attack and I will guarantee you cannot. You may not realize it but you have always decided to panic. You make the choice by saying this is beyond my control.

Another way to appreciate this is to imagine having a panic attack as like standing on a cliff's edge. The anxiety seemingly pushes you closer to falling over the edge.

To be rid of the fear you must metaphorically jump. You must jump off the cliff edge and into the anxiety and fear and all the things that you fear most.

How do you jump? You jump by wanting to have a panic attack. You go about your day asking for anxiety and panic attacks to appear.

Your real safety is the fact that a panic attack will never harm you. That is medical fact. You are safe, the sensations are wild but no harm will come to you. Your heart is racing but no harm will come to you. The jump becomes nothing more than a two foot drop! Perfectly safe.

Learn more

http://www.panicportal.com

Joe Barry is an international panic disorder coach. His informative site on all issues related to panic and anxiety attacks can be found here:http://www.panicportal.com

Causes of Panic Attacks

2007-10-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

The short and obvious answer: panic attacks are caused by high anxiety. But, what exactly is anxiety? Understanding how anxiety crops up will help you defeat panic attacks.

One of the biggest myths surrounding anxiety is that it is harmful and can lead to a number of various life-threatening conditions.

Definition of Anxiety

Anxiety is defined as a state of apprehension or fear resulting from the anticipation of a real or imagined threat, event, or situation. It is one of the most common human emotions experienced by people at some point in their lives.

However, most people who have never experienced a panic attack, or extreme anxiety, fail to realize the terrifying nature of the experience. Extreme dizziness, blurred vision, tingling and feelings of breathlessness—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

When these sensations occur and people do not understand why, they feel they have contracted an illness, or a serious mental condition. The threat of losing complete control seems very real and naturally very terrifying.

Fight/Flight Response: One of the root causes of panic attacks?

I am sure most of you have heard of the fight/flight response as an explanation for one of the root causes of panic attacks. Have you made the connection between this response and the unusual sensations you experience during and after a panic attack episode?

Anxiety is a response to a danger or threat. It is so named because all of its effects are aimed toward either fighting or fleeing from the danger. Thus, the sole purpose of anxiety is to protect the individual from harm. This may seem ironic given that you no doubt feel your anxiety is actually causing you great harm...perhaps the most significant of all the causes of panic attacks.

However, the anxiety that the fight/flight response created was vital in the daily survival of our ancient ancestors—when faced with some danger, an automatic response would take over that propelled them to take immediate action such as attack or run. Even in today's hectic world, this is still a necessary mechanism. It comes in useful when you must respond to a real threat within a split second.

Anxiety is a built-in mechanism to protect us from danger. Interestingly, it is a mechanism that protects but does not harm—an important point that will be elaborated upon later.

The Physical Manifestations of a Panic Attack: Other pieces of the puzzle to understand the causes of panic attacks. Nervousness and Chemical Effects...

When confronted with danger, the brain sends signals to a section of the nervous system. It is this system that is responsible for gearing the body up for action and also calms the body down and restores equilibrium. To carry out these two vital functions, the autonomic nervous system has two subsections, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

Although I don't want to become too "scientific," having a basic understanding of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system will help you understand the causes of panic attacks.

The sympathetic nervous system is the one we tend to know all too much about because it primes our body for action, readies us for the “fight or flight” response, while the parasympathetic nervous system is the one we love dearly as it serves as our restoring system, which returns the body to its normal state.

When either of these systems is activated, they stimulate the whole body, which has an “all or nothing” effect. This explains why when a panic attack occurs, the individual often feels a number of different sensations throughout the body.

The sympathetic system is responsible for releasing the adrenaline from the adrenal glands on the kidneys. These are small glands located just above the kidneys. Less known, however, is that the adrenal glands also release adrenaline, which functions as the body’s chemical messengers to keep the activity going. When a panic attack begins, it does not switch off as easily as it is turned on. There is always a period of what would seem increased or continued anxiety, as these messengers travel throughout the body. Think of them as one of the physiological causes of panic attacks, if you will.

After a period of time, the parasympathetic nervous system gets called into action. Its role is to return the body to normal functioning once the perceived danger is gone. The parasympathetic system is the system we all know and love, because it returns us to a calm relaxed state.

When we engage in a coping strategy that we have learned, for example, a relaxation technique, we are in fact willing the parasympathetic nervous system into action. A good thing to remember is that this system will be brought into action at some stage whether we will it or not. The body cannot continue in an ever-increasing spiral of anxiety. It reaches a point where it simply must kick in, relaxing the body. This is one of the many built-in protection systems our bodies have for survival.

You can do your best with worrying thoughts, keeping the sympathetic nervous system going, but eventually it stops. In time, it becomes a little smarter than us, and realizes that there really is no danger. Our bodies are incredibly intelligent—modern science is always discovering amazing patterns of intelligence that run throughout the cells of our body. Our body seems to have infinite ways of dealing with the most complicated array of functions we take for granted. Rest assured that your body’s primary goal is to keep you alive and well.

Not so convinced?

Try holding your breath for as long as you can. No matter how strong your mental will is, it can never override the will of the body. This is good news—no matter how hard you try to convince yourself that you are gong to die from a panic attack, you won’t. Your body will override that fear and search for a state of balance. There has never been a reported incident of someone dying from a panic attack.

Remember this next time you have a panic attack; he causes of panic attacks cannot do you any physical harm. Your mind may make the sensations continue longer than the body intended, but eventually everything will return to a state of balance. In fact, balance (homeostasis) is what our body continually strives for.

The interference for your body is nothing more than the sensations of doing rigorous exercise. Our body is not alarmed by these symptoms. Why should it be? It knows its own capability. It’s our thinking minds that panic, which overreact and scream in sheer terror! We tend to fear the worst and exaggerate our own sensations. A quickened heart beat becomes a heart attack. An overactive mind seems like a close shave with schizophrenia. Is it our fault? Not really—we are simply diagnosing from poor information.

Cardiovascular Effects Activity in the sympathetic nervous system increases our heartbeat rate, speeds up the blood flow throughout the body, ensures all areas are well supplied with oxygen and that waste products are removed. This happens in order to prime the body for action.

A fascinating feature of the “fight or flight” mechanism is that blood (which is channelled from areas where it is currently not needed by a tightening of the blood vessels) is brought to areas where it is urgently needed.

For example, should there be a physical attack, blood drains from the skin, fingers, and toes so that less blood is lost, and is moved to “active areas” such as the thighs and biceps to help the body prepare for action.

This is why many feel numbness and tingling during a panic attack-often misinterpreted as some serious health risk-such as the precursor to a heart attack. Interestingly, most people who suffer from anxiety often feel they have heart problems. If you are really worried that such is the case with your situation, visit your doctor and have it checked out. At least then you can put your mind at rest.

Respiratory Effects

One of the scariest effects of a panic attack is the fear of suffocating or smothering. It is very common during a panic attack to feel tightness in the chest and throat. I’m sure everyone can relate to some fear of losing control of your breathing. From personal experience, anxiety grows from the fear that your breathing itself would cease and you would be unable to recover. Can a panic attack stop our breathing? No.

A panic attack is associated with an increase in the speed and depth of breathing. This has obvious importance for the defense of the body since the tissues need to get more oxygen to prepare for action. The feelings produced by this increase in breathing, however, can include breathlessness, hyperventilation, sensations of choking or smothering, and even pains or tightness in the chest. The real problem is that these sensations are alien to us, and they feel unnatural.

Having experienced extreme panic attacks myself, I remember that on many occasions, I would have this feeling that I couldn’t trust my body to do the breathing for me, so I would have to manually take over and tell myself when to breathe in and when to breathe out. Of course, this didn’t suit my body’s requirement of oxygen and so the sensations would intensify—along with the anxiety. It was only when I employed the technique I will describe for you later, did I let the body continue doing what it does best—running the whole show.

Importantly, a side-effect of increased breathing, (especially if no actual activity occurs) is that the blood supply to the head is actually decreased. While such a decrease is only a small amount and is not at all dangerous, it produces a variety of unpleasant but harmless symptoms that include dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, sense of unreality, and hot flushes.

Other Physical Effects of Panic Attacks:

Now that we've discussed some of the primary physiological causes of panic attacks, there are a number of other effects that are produced by the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, none of which are in any way harmful.

For example, the pupils widen to let in more light, which may result in blurred vision, or “seeing” stars, etc. There is a decrease in salivation, resulting in dry mouth. There is decreased activity in the digestive system, which often produces nausea, a heavy feeling in the stomach, and even constipation. Finally, many of the muscle groups tense up in preparation for “fight or flight” and this results in subjective feelings of tension, sometimes extending to actual aches and pains, as well as trembling and shaking.

Overall, the fight/flight response results in a general activation of the whole bodily metabolism. Thus, one often feels hot and flushed and, because this process takes a lot of energy, the person generally feels tired and drained.

Mental Manifestations: Are the causes of panic attacks all in my head? is a question many people wonder to themselves.

The goal of the fight/flight response is making the individual aware of the potential danger that may be present. Therefore, when activated, the mental priority is placed upon searching the surroundings for potential threats. In this state one is highly-strung, so to speak. It is very difficult to concentrate on any one activity, as the mind has been trained to seek all potential threats and not to give up until the threat has been identified. As soon as the panic hits, many people look for the quick and easiest exit from their current surroundings, such as by simply leaving the bank queue and walking outside. Sometimes the anxiety can heighten, if we perceive that leaving will cause some sort of social embarrassment.

If you have a panic attack while at the workplace but feel you must press on with whatever task it is you are doing, it is quite understandable that you would find it very hard to concentrate. It is quite common to become agitated and generally restless in such a situation. Many individuals I have worked with who have suffered from panic attacks over the years indicated that artificial light—such as that which comes from computer monitors and televisions screens—can can be one of the causes of panic attacks by triggering them or worsen a panic attack, particularly if the person is feeling tired or run down.

This is worth bearing in mind if you work for long periods of time on a computer. Regular break reminders should be set up on your computer to remind you to get up from the desk and get some fresh air when possible.

In other situations, when during a panic attack an outside threat cannot normally be found, the mind turns inwards and begins to contemplate the possible illness the body or mind could be suffering from. This ranges from thinking it might have been something you ate at lunch, to the possibility of an oncoming cardiac arrest.

The burning question is: Why is the fight/flight response activated during a panic attack even when there is apparently nothing to be frightened of?

Upon closer examination of the causes of panic attacks, it would appear that what we are afraid of are the sensations themselves—we are afraid of the body losing control. These unexpected physical symptoms create the fear or panic that something is terribly wrong. Why do you experience the physical symptoms of the fight/flight response if you are not frightened to begin with? There are many ways these symptoms can manifest themselves, not just through fear.

For example, it may be that you have become generally stressed for some reason in your life, and this stress results in an increase in the production of adrenaline and other chemicals, which from time to time, would produce symptoms....and which you perceive as the causes of panic attacks.

This increased adrenaline can be maintained chemically in the body, even after the stress has long gone. Another possibility is diet, which directly affects our level of stress. Excess caffeine, alcohol, or sugar is known for causing stress in the body, and is believed to be one of the contributing factors of the causes of panic attacks (Chapter 5 gives a full discussion on diet and its importance).

Unresolved emotions are often pointed to as possible trigger of panic attacks, but it is important to point out that eliminating panic attacks from your life does not necessarily mean analyzing your psyche and digging into your subconscious. The “One Move” technique will teach you to deal with the present moment and defuse the attack along with removing the underlying anxiety that sparks the initial anxiety.

Learn more

http://www.panicportal.com

Joe Barry is an international panic disorder coach. His informative site on all issues related to panic and anxiety attacks can be found here:http://www.panicportal.com

Agoraphobia and Panic Attacks

2007-09-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

There is phobia that is linked to the experience of panic attacks, and that is agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is the fear of open spaces or of being in crowded, public places such as shopping markets. It is a fear associated with leaving a safe zone, such as the home.

Because of a feeling of being vulnerable, people who experience this fear often suffer from panic attacks in these “open” situations. It is true to say many people who have regular panic attacks experience different degrees of agoraphobia. Some have a lingering background anxiety about being away from home should they experience a panic attack. Other people are so immobilized by this fear that they find it very difficult to leave their home for even a short period.

The thinking behind agoraphobia usually follows the line that were a panic attack to occur, who would look after the person, how would he or she get the assistance and reassurance they needed? The vulnerability grows from the feeling that once victims of agoraphobia are caught in the anxiety, they are suddenly unable to look after themselves and are therefore at the mercy of the place they find themselves in and the strangers around them. In its extreme form, agoraphobia and panic attacks can lead to a situation where people become housebound for numerous years. Please note, this is by no means a hopeless situation, and I always need to reinforce the fact that something only becomes hopeless once the person really believes that to be the case.

To begin with, the primary issue that needs to be addressed is the belief in the safe zone. To clarify, when I talk about safe zone, I am referring to the zone where the person believes panic attacks do not occur, or at least occur infrequently. As comfort is found there, it is where the person tends to spend more and more time. The safe zone of anxiety is a myth sustained by the mind. The mind has developed a habit of thinking that dictates that being inside the safe zone is the only place to feel secure and avoid agoraphobia and panic attacks. If agoraphobia is an issue for you, watch as your mind comes up with reasons why it believes only a certain area is safe and another is not. Those reasons range from being near the phone or people you trust to having familiar physical surroundings to reassure you.

The reality of anxiety is that there is no such thing as a safe zone. There is nothing life threatening about a panic attack, and therefore sitting at home is the same as sitting under the stars on a desert island. Of course, your mind will immediately rush to tell you that a desert island is a ridiculous place to be as there are no hospitals, no tranquillisers, no doctors, NO SAFETY.

You need to review your previous experiences of panic attacks. Aren’t you still here, alive and well, after all those attacks during which you were convinced you were going to die?

It may be that on occasions you have been driven to the hospital where they did medicate you to calm you down, but do you really believe that you would not have survived were it not for the drugs? You would have. If the same bout of anxiety had occurred on this desert island, it too would have passed, even if you were all alone. Yes, when it comes to conditions that need medical attention such as asthma, diabetes, and a whole litany or other conditions, then having medical aid nearby is a big asset, but no doctor in the world would tell someone with anxiety that there are only specific safe zones in which she or he can move.

As I know more than anyone how terrifying it can feel to move out of your safe zone as the feeling of fear is welling up inside, I do not wish to sound harsh. This course is not about chastising people for their behaviours. It is a way of looking together at solutions and seeing through the myths that form prison walls. The goal is to enable you to return to a richer and more meaningful life and ultimately defeat your agoraphobia and panic attacks. I also realize that people around you cannot understand why a trip to shops would cause you such discomfort. You will have to forgive them and try not to be upset by their lack of understanding of your problem.

If an individual such as a partner or family member has not had a similar anxiety issue, that person may often find it hard to understand and empathize with what you are going through. I am sure you have been dragged out of the house numerous times against your will, kicking and screaming. This can then lead to tensions and arguments and is upsetting as it can make you feel less understood by those around you. People around agoraphobics are often simply trying what they feel is best. If you can see that their intentions are well meaning (although often misguided), then you will be able to relate to them better and help sooth any potential conflicts.

There is one thing I am sure you will agree with, and that is that the only person who will get you out of agoraphobic thinking is yourself. These are your thoughts, and only you can begin to change that pattern. Dealing with long term agoraphobia and panic attacks is a slow process to begin with, but once the results start happening, it moves faster and faster until you reach a point where you will find it hard to believe that going out was such a difficult task.

Learn more http://www.panicportal.com

Joe Barry is an international panic disorder coach. His informative site on all issues related to panic and anxiety attacks can be found here:

http://www.panicportal.com

Public Speaking and Panic Attacks

2007-08-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

It is often observed that many people’s top ranking fear is not death but having to speak in public. The joke is that these people would rather be lying in the casket at the funeral than giving the eulogy. Public speaking for people who suffer from panic attacks or general anxiety often becomes a major source of worry weeks or even months before the speaking event is to occur.

These speaking engagements do not necessarily have to be the traditional “on a podium” events but can be as simple as an office meeting where the individual is expected to express an opinion or give verbal feedback. The fear of public speaking and panic attacks in this case centers on having an attack while speaking. The individual fears being incapacitated by the anxiety and hence unable to complete what he or she is saying. The person imagines fleeing the spotlight and having to make all kinds of excuses later for their undignified departure out the office window….

This differs slightly from the majority of people who fear public speaking because their fear tends to revolve around going blank while speaking or feeling uncomfortable under the spotlight of their peers. The jitters or nerves of speaking in public are of course a problem for this group as well, but they are unfamiliar with that debilitating threat which is the panic attack, as they most likely have not experienced one before.

So how should a person with an anxiety issue tackle public speaking?

Stage one is accepting that all these bizarre and quite frankly unnerving sensations are not going to go away overnight. In fact, you are not even going to concern yourself with getting rid of them for your next talk. When they arrive during a speech/meeting, you are going to approach them in a new manner. What we need to do is build your confidence back to where it used to be before any of these sensations ever occurred. This time you will approach it in a unique, empowering manner, allowing you to feel your confidence again. It is said that most of the top speakers are riddled with anxiety before speaking, but they somehow use this nervousness to enhance their speech. I am going to show you exactly how to do this, although I know that right now if you suffer from public speaking and panic attacks you may find it difficult to believe you can ever overcome it.

My first point is this and it is important. The average healthy person can experience an extreme array of anxiety and very uncomfortable sensations while giving a speech and is in no danger of ever losing control, or even appearing slightly anxious to the audience. No matter how tough it gets, you will always finish your piece, even if at the outset it feels very uncomfortable to go on. You will not become incapacitated in any way.

The real breakthrough for if you suffer from public speaking and panic attacks happens when you fully believe that you are not in danger and that the sensations will pass.

“I realize you (the anxiety) hold no threat over me.”

What keeps a panic attack coming again and again is the fear of the fear—the fear that the next one will really knock your socks off and you feel you were lucky to have made it past the last one unscathed. As they were so unnerving and scary, it is your confidence that has been damaged by previous anxiety episodes. Once you fully understand you are not under any threat, then you can have a new response to the anxiety as it arises while speaking.

Defeating public speaking and panic attacks...

There is always a turning point when a person moves from general anxiety into a panic attack, and that happens with public speaking when you think to yourself:

"I won’t be able to handle this in front of these people."

That split second of self-doubt leads to a rush of adrenaline, and the extreme anxiety arrives in a wave like format. If, however, when you feel the initial anxiety and you react with confidence that this is not a threat to you, you will move out of the anxiety rapidly. Using this new approach is a powerful ally because it means it is okay to feel scared and feel the anxiety when speaking–that is fine; you are going to feel it and move with and through the sensations in your body and out the other side. Because he or she is feeling very anxious, often before the talk has begun, that person may feel they have already let themselves down. Now, you can relax on that point. It is perfectly natural to feel the anxiety. Take for example the worst of the sensations you have ever experienced in this situation—be it general unease to loss of breath. You will have an initial automatic reaction that says:

“Danger–I’m going to have an episode of anxiety here and I really can’t afford that to happen.”

At this point most people react to that idea and confirm it must be true because of all of the unusual feelings they are experiencing. This is where your thinking can lead you down a train of thought that creates a cycle of anxiety that produces a negative impact on your overall presenting skills.

So let that initial “oh dear, not now” thought pass by, and follow it up immediately with the attitude of:

“There you are–I’ve been wondering when you would arrive. I’ve been expecting you to show up—by the way, I am not in the least threatened by any of the strange sensations you are creating—I am completely safe here.”

The key to controlling your fear of public speaking and panic attacks is that instead of pushing the emotional energy and excitement down into your stomach, you are moving out through it. Your body is in a slightly excited state, exactly as it should be while giving a speech, so release that energy in your self-expression. Push it out through your presentation not down into your stomach. You push it out by expressing yourself more forcefully. In this way you turn the anxiety to your advantage by using it to deliver a speech where you come across more alive, energetic and in the present moment. When you notice the anxiety drop as it does when you willingly move into it. Fire a quick thought off when you get a momentary break (as I am sure you have between pieces), asking it for “more.” You want more of its intense feelings as you are interested in them and are absolutely not threatened by them.

It seems like a lot of things to be thinking about while talking to a group of people, but it is not really. You’d be amazed how many different non-related thoughts you can have while speaking. This approach is about adopting a new attitude of confidence to what you might have deemed a serious threat up until now. This tactic will truly help you with fear of public speaking and panic attacks you have associated with them.

If your predominant fear of the speaking engagement is driven by a feeling of being trapped, then I would suggest factoring in some mental releases that can be prepared before the event. For example, some meetings/speeches allow for you to turn the attention back to the room to get feedback etc. from the group.

If possible, you might want to prepare such opportunities in your own mind before the engagements. This is not to say you have to ever use them, but people in this situation often remark that just having small opportunities where attention can be diverted for the briefest of moments can make the task seem less daunting. It my even be something as simple as having people introduce themselves or opening the floor to questions. I realize these diversions are not always possible and depend on the situation, but anything you can factor in that makes you feel less trapped or under the spotlight is worth the effort and can help alleviate fear of public speaking and panic attacks.

Learn more

http://www.panicportal.com

Joe Barry is an international panic disorder coach. His informative site on all issues related to panic and anxiety attacks can be found here:

http://www.panicportal.com

Another Good Post On Panic Attack Remedies

2006-12-23T01:42:00.000-08:00

Panic Attack Remedy

These days, there are many panic attack remedy options available to people all over the world, thanks to the internet. You still need to be aware of the scams and people trying to steal your money.

These people know that those who suffer from panic attacks or other anxiety disorders are desperate and will try anything if it looks believable enough. Go with reputable sources.

Doctors, Drugs And Therapy

Generally, a safe and effective way to go, though even this can pose problems. Drugs can cause nasty side effects. Some might not work, so it takes time before you find one that does.

You'll also need to have a really good doctor in every respect. I've known my fair share of doctors that I would never go back to. Those who have suffered for years, going from doctor to doctor, will know EXACTLY what I mean.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, (particularly with medication; drugs or natural) is an effective remedy for panic attacks. If you're asked if you want this, JUMP at the chance. It's for your own good.

Other Panic Attack Remedies

You can also try things at home. Drink herbal teas that have chamomile, Valerian or lemon balm. These have properties to soothe and calm you down and are good for panic attacks.

Try taking B-Complex vitamins as well as calcium and magnesium. They may not cure you, but lacking these can make panic attacks worse. Take these as part of the big picture.

Emotional Freedom Techniques is relatively new. There doesn't seem to be much study in this, but many people swear that it works. It's based on stimulating specific points in the body, releasing energy and bringing about a cure.

Three notable methods have helped thousands of people all over the world. These are PureCalm, Panic Away and The Linden Method. For those who prefer drug-free remedies, these would be excellent options.

PureCalm contains natural ingredients and is safe and generally effective. It contains lemon balm and passion flower, both known ingredients to restore calmness.

Panic Away and The Linden Method are programs created by ex-sufferers. For those who prefer to learn by reading, I'd recommend Panic Away. If you're a listener, then go with The Linden Method. Both are good choices.

You may need to experiment or research to find YOUR panic attack remedy. It's treatable. Don't suffer silently and needlessly anymore.
http://www.panic-and-agoraphobia.com

http://www.panic-and-agoraphobia.com/panic-attack-remedy.html

Article Regarding Panic Attacks & Phobias

2006-10-25T02:46:00.000-07:00

This article discusses more about phobia without the context of panic away. However panic attacks may be triggered by phobias and a good knowledge is quite helpful. Are Phobias Controlling Your Life

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), over 6 million Americans suffer from specific phobias. A specific phobia is an anxiety disorder that is based on a certain fear. These fears vary greatly from person to person and usually stem from experiences in childhood. Specific phobias go beyond being simply adverse to a certain object or situation and can actually cause panic attacks.

Specific phobias can be difficult to diagnose in comparison to rational fears. There are six main criteria points that doctors use to diagnose specific phobias. First, the fear must be persistent and unfading. In some people, this fear may also be felt even if the object is not around or the situation is not happening, simple because it might be around or happen in the future. The second criteria that must be met for diagnosis is acute anxiety, sometimes even leading to a panic attack, when the object is around or the person is in the situations. Thirdly, the fear itself is irrational and excessive, because there is no immediate danger. Next, a person will start to avoid the object or situation, even if this disrupts daily life. Another criteria is that it disrupts life to the point where it interferes with normal daily functioning and a considerable amount of time is spent worrying about the phobia. Lastly, these symptoms are not attributed to another anxiety condition or disorder.

Fears vary widely, but fall into five categories: animals, natural environments, blood and injury, situational, and other. In some cases, treatment is not necessary. For example, if you have a fear of airplanes, you can simply choose not to fly during your life. However, once the phobia begins to disrupt your functioning on a daily basis, you should see your doctor for treatment. Behavior therapy is usually the best treatment you can get for a specific phobia. With this process, the person is exposed to the object or situation, slowly at first, and with pictures or visualization. Virtual reality is also great for helping others to overcome specific phobias.

It is simply important to seek help if a specific phobia is ruining your life. You can ask your doctor for tips to help you overcome a panic attack or ways in which to avoid objects or situations in healthy ways. While you may never be "cured" from your specific phobia, it is totally possible to let it go enough to be able to live your life normally on a day-to-day basis.
Kenneth Kender writes about health, about positive thinking and about healthy foods without hype and in plain everday English. His work is published both offline and online. His latest online project is a website called http://www.SignsOfDepression.info where he helps you to learn what depression is all about and what you can do to avoid or cure it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenneth_Kender

Visit: http://www.panicportal.com/

One More Personal Review Of Panic Away

2006-09-13T02:59:00.000-07:00

This article focuses on one of the ezine author view point on panic away. He discusses a key technique used in Panic Away. Read it for a better insight.

A Review of "Panic Away" by Joe Barry - A Permanent Cure For Anxiety Disorder

Many a great invention is born out of frustration and so it was with Joe Barry and his development of his “Panic Away” method.

Being a chronic sufferer of anxiety disorder, Joe like many other sufferers, had undergone the usual treatment route – basically a variety of relaxation and meditation techniques – but he was always acutely aware that these were strategies for coping with anxiety disorder, rather than a means of curing it once and for all.

Joe reveals in his course that he made a key discovery whilst studying the cognitive behaviour techniques that psychologists has been using to treat anxiety attacks: that of a how a panic attack fuels and generates itself. It was this discovery that led to his development of the “One Move Technique.

It is the “One Move” Technique that makes up the bulk of Joe’s “Panic Away”course. Joe takes you step-by-step through all the stages of an anxiety attack and how his “One Move Technique” can be implemented at any stage to stop these attacks in their tracks.

The technique is one that Joe has developed and refined over a 10 year period and has now taught to over 14,000 anxiety sufferers.

Joe’s technique doesn’t rely on medication, relaxation exercises or lifestyle changes. It is designed to work straight away and eliminate anxiety attacks for good.

After teaching his “One Move” technique, Joe goes into a discussion on Generalised Anxiety Disorder. He also includes important nutritional information to give your body the best dietary defence against anxiety attacks. He concludes with a discussion of medications and whether or not you should add them to your treatment programme. There is also a mini health lesson on how the human body works and the sorts of things that can happen to lead it astray.

The book is a concise 60 pages and deals only with the facts. It is written in a down-to-earth and easy to understand manner.

Joe includes a 19 day money-back-guarantee. I personally would have liked to have seen this be a bit longer, but given the programme’s price, you can’t argue with its value.
Scott runs a website on anxiety disorder and the various methods and means with which it can be treated.

This site can be visited at: Learn The Permanent Cure for Anxiety Disorder

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Salter