Empathizing: Panic & Anxiety Disorders

As individuals perceive intense fear or stress it increases a "panic attack" mentality and symptoms that must be treated. An increase in physical pain can increase depression. Feelings of prolonged anxiety can cause physical problems over time too. The repetition of these feelings could cause heart palpitation, shortness of breath, dizziness or abdominal distress. Individuals have fear of impending doom or loss of control. People with obsessive compulsive disorder have persistent upsetting thoughts and use rituals to control anxious thoughts. Some people have past experiences that cause "fear" or give perceived harm to individual. People can become overwhelmingly anxious or excessively self-conscious; they have intense, persistent and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others. It can interfere with work, school, or ordinary activity or speaking tasks. It could be that individuals have excessive worries about health, money, family or job performance.

The panic or anxiety disorder is treated by:

1. Identification of stresses in life and what could be altered to relieve the stress either by 1) exercise, 2) meditation, 3) relaxation exercise, 4) visualization , or 5) interpersonal skills. Cognitive behavior therapy to face their fears is recommended.
2. Habits in daily life are revisisted: diet, exercise, rest, stimulants (caffeine, drugs, medicines, smoking), dependency on medicines. Aerobic excersise increases the oxygen to the brain.
3. Stress Mangagement Techniques: Deep breathing is encouraged to increase oxygen to the brain. Increase massage. Develop a regular sleep schedule. Rethink the areas you are worried and have tension about.
4. Support of family should not increase the tension and symptoms of having an attack.
5. Careful regulation of medications given to control panic attacks under a physicians care. Antidepressant drugs are issued to keep it under control, but does not get rid of the disease. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRI: Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Poxil) citalopram (Celexa), venlafaxine (Effexor)] are given to alter interaction of brain cells to cause communication with other brain cells. Ask doctor for procedures to stop the use of the drug. Doctors give tricyclics, MAOIs, anit anxiety drugs and beta blockers for certain scenarios.

Ways to empathize with a panic anxiety disorder individual:

1. Do not create a stressful environment.
2. Increase exercise. Ask to exericise with them.
3. Develop a responsible approach to the use of the drug and procedures to get off the drugs prescribed.
4. Remove stimulants that would keep the individual from deep sleep.
5. Eat a balance diet three meals a day.