Exploring Anxiety Attacks and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

We all must deal with a certain level of anxiety during our daily lives. However, it is possible feelings of stress, nervousness, and anxiousness can impair with our daily life activities. In general, however, mild cases of anxiety can be managed effectively. Then, there are instances where anxiety levels increase to the point they manifest into serious conditions. Such is the case with anxiety attacks and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In order to properly deal with these conditions, it is important to clearly understand what these conditions entail.

Anxiety Attacks

The common feelings of anxiety are annoying but manageable. Irritability and nervousness can be problematic but they are not impossible to deal with. However, an overwhelming and incapacitating sense of fear that appears out of the blue is not easy to handle. This manifestation of fear is known as an anxiety attack (panic attack) and it is debilitating and dangerous. Such overwhelming anxiety attacks can lead to difficulty in breathing, nausea, a racing heartbeat, and severe pains in the chest. Often, these feelings are so severe the person who suffers from an anxiety attack will assume he is experiencing a heart attack.

The root origins of an anxiety attack can vary. Sometimes, an anxiety attack can be brought on by something buried deep in the subconscious. For example, a person who is seriously worrying about paying a bill could have an anxiety attack after walking past a bank. However, the individual may not be consciously aware that the image of the bank brought about the anxiety attack.

The various causes of panic attacks can be stress, alcohol/drug issues, hereditary problems, fears and phobias, or environmental related causes such as a difficult home or work life. The amount of time an anxiety occur lasts will vary from individual to individual as will the frequency of panic attack episodes.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

While anxiety attacks are severe, the condition of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is even more problematic. Once considered solely the result of war experiences, psychologists have discovered there are many different causes for the development of this serious psychological condition.

PTSD is a form of anxiety disorder that results from exposure to an event that yielded either severe physical harm or the potential for physical harm and/or death. Common sufferers of PTSD include veterans, police/fire personnel, victims of crime or abuse, or those involved in serious, life threatening accidents.

What makes the anxiety of PTSD so powerful is that sufferers of this condition relieve the trauma experience over and over in their head. This comes in the form of flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. These symptoms are usually brought about as a result of triggers in the conscious world that affect the subconscious. For example, a victim of a mugging could suffer flashbacks when coming across a police drama on television. Because these intrusive thoughts are so overwhelming, the individual will seek to reduce exposures to triggers. This can be achieved by withdrawing from life, isolating oneself, becoming a workaholic, or taking part in other means of avoidance. Clearly, this would have a very negative effect on one’s life.

Dealing with the Conditions

Thankfully, there are a number of ways anxiety attacks and PTSD can be treated. Therapy and outpatient prescription medication care are means that have long since proven to be successful. Those that are dealing with these conditions should consult with a qualified mental healthcare professional to discuss treatment options.

Please visit http://www.manage-anxiety.com for more details.