subject: Are You Feeling That Your Mild Panic Attacks Are Becoming Stronger? [print this page] Have you ever felt that if you have to go to the supermarket to shop for your monthly groceries, that you would prefer to send a family member instead because you are scared you will have more mild panic attacks?
Clearly you are not alone. Many individuals are afflicted by this condition, yet seldom open up and discuss it with others. There is frequently a feeling of shame and humiliation that comes with this condition, which causes more anxious feelings.
Not unlike lots of people that experience mild panic attacks, you've figured out how to make modifications in your life. You've basically learned to "live with it", without having a lot of support from other people.
If you experience mild panic attacks everyday, it starts to restrict your daily activities and your relationships. It's common to start avoiding specific places and people that you associate with causing an attack.
It's actual distressing to observe that in many instances, friends and family just don't get it! It is especially troublesome when a number of experts you consult do not know the best method to manage your mild panic attacks, apart from prescribing habit forming medication.
This is the time it gets troublesome! If the Dr.s do not understand how to help you, who can?
Some of the more obvious physical signs of mild panic attacks include, tightness in the chest, rapid heart beat, extreme sweating and uncontrollable shaking. If you experience this for the first time, you might think you're having a heart attack or even dying.
You may also feel that it is difficult for you to focus on any given task, or even pay attention to what people are saying. At this point racing thoughts and a feeling of heightened sensitivity and awareness usually follow.
Mild panic attacks can happen at any time and usually peak within 10 minutes, which can feel like a lifetime for the sufferer. The only difference between these types of episodes and more severe ones, is the intensity of the symptoms listed above.
These attacks are exhausting and those that deal with this on a daily basis, usually feel depressed and drained. If you are in a constant battle with these types of attacks, it isn't surprising that you feel this way.
Be aware, that the more you attempt to fight an anxiety attack, the more powerful it becomes. It feeds off of your fear. In contrast, practicing relaxation and breathing techniques from the onset of an episode can be quite challenging, if not impossible.
Some people will have only one attack and never have another. Thus, not everyone who has these types of episodes will develop a full blown panic disorder.
All the same, early diagnosis and proper treatment for this disorder is critical if you don't want your mild panic attacks to develop into a more severe anxiety disorder.
