Everything to Know About Panic Attacks in Orange County and How to Handle Them
The thing about anxiety is that it is normal for people to need a level of anxiety about certain situations. However, if you feel anxious about everyday things that shouldn’t be making you anxious, or if the anxiety you’re feeling is disrupting your daily life, then you might have an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety and all other forms of mental disorders should be taken just as seriously as other physical health conditions. One of the most unfortunate misconceptions about mental illness is the idea that just because it’s something that you experience in the mind means that it isn’t something that has to be taken seriously.
Mental and physical health should be given equal importance, as each one is required in order for you to live a happy, well-balanced life. One of the best ways to combat the misinformation that exists, even today, about mental illnesses is to be well-informed about the various aspects of mental health and pass on that information to others. Here is everything that you need to know about anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and how to handle these.
What is an anxiety disorder?
Anxiety disorders are disorders that are anxiety related. The main identifier of an anxiety disorder is the presence of excessive fear triggered by a real or perceived threat. This anxiety often interferes with an individual’s ability to function and carry out their activities of daily living.
There are many classifications of anxiety disorders, and if you suspect you might be suffering from one, reach out to a professional therapist to help you with this. Panic attacks are often associated with anxiety disorders and can be quite traumatizing to experience, especially if you’re unfamiliar with it.
What is an anxiety disorder?
Recurrent panic attacks are often triggered by a specific situation or event. The common description among situations that trigger panic attacks in people is that these are situations wherein the person often feels as though they’re trapped and unable to escape.
Panic attacks can be scary, especially if you’re experiencing them for the first time or you don’t know what you’re going through. It’s important to learn what you can about panic attacks and how to handle them in order to help yourself or somebody you know who is going through this. Tracey Kuhar Counseling offers various treatment options to help people who are suffering from panic attacks.
What are the symptoms of a panic attack?
The thing that you should know about panic attacks is that the symptoms of a panic attack vary from person to person. However, some of the most common symptoms of panic attacks include:
- Heart palpitations
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Hyperventilation
- Nausea
- A feeling of loss of control
- Trembling
It is possible to experience a few of these symptoms or all of them during a panic attack. It isn’t uncommon for some people to experience a panic attack or two, and never experience them again in their life.
However, there are some people who experience recurring panic attack episodes and develop a panic disorder. Panic disorder is characterized by frequent panic attacks that aren’t triggered by anything specific.
People with panic disorder also tend to worry a lot about getting into situations that might trigger another panic attack, where it may end up interfering with how they live their lives. This often gets to the point where they actively try to avoid the triggers that caused the panic attack in the first place, no matter how inconvenient it might be.
How do I handle a panic attack?
One of the most important things to note about panic disorders and panic attacks is what to do in the event that you or somebody you know is going through one. When you go through a panic attack, it might feel like the situation is out of your control and that there’s nothing you can do about it. However, there are a few things that you can do that can help you get a grasp on the situation.
Control your breathing
Practice relaxation exercises
If you’re looking to help avoid panic attack triggers, it helps to practice relaxation exercises like yoga and even exercise to help manage your anxiety.
Acceptance
Something that people with panic disorder experience is a feeling of fear that it might happen again, which can create a cycle of fear and anxiety. It’s much healthier for your mental health to accept the panic symptoms and stay in the moment.
It may be difficult at first, but understanding what you’re going through is much more beneficial for you in the long run compared to avoiding situations that can trigger panic attacks.
What to do if someone is having a panic attack:
Stay calm
If you’re with somebody who’s having a panic attack, the number one thing to do is to stay calm. Stressing out isn’t going to help with the situation and can even make it worse. It’s important to stay with them throughout the entire episode to make sure that they’re okay.
Help them with their breathing
Breathing exercises can really help a person with a panic attack, and it might be difficult for someone going through a panic attack to remember how to breathe properly. Helping them with their breathing exercises can help make the situation easier for them.
Listen to them
No matter how much information you know about panic attacks, you might not know the right thing to do in the situation unless you yourself have been in it. One of the best things you can do is to ask the person going through the panic attack about what they usually do in the situation and ask them what they need.
Get professional help
If you or someone you know suffers from anxiety or panic attacks, it’s always a good idea to seek professional help. Tracey Kuhar Counseling offers a variety of treatment methods for panic disorder and panic attacks in Orange County to help you find the right method for your specific mental health needs.
If you’re seeking professional help for your mental health issues, feel free to reach out and contact us at (949) 300-8004 and we can help you get started today!
