04/23/2019 · Blog · No comments yet
Every person has experienced a panic attack (PA) at least once in their life - a sudden severe anxiety, which is accompanied by a racing heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and a feeling of heaviness in the chest. But not everyone who has experienced panic needs treatment. There is no treatment for panic attacks as such. Help is needed if PAs have become systematized, frequent, and the person cannot cope with the problem on his own. The article will focus on the so-called panic disorder.
What is a panic attack
A panic attack is an attack of sudden fear and severe anxiety for no apparent reason.
The origins of panic disorder are not completely clear. However, it is believed that the disease has a genetic predisposition and more often affects the fair sex. Women are more prone to panic attacks and suffer from this disorder 2-3 times more often than men. Panic attacks cannot lead to death, despite the fact that this is the feeling that most often accompanies them. The more often attacks occur, the worse the quality of life becomes. People who have repeatedly experienced panic attacks become increasingly anxious and subconsciously try to avoid places or situations where and when they succumbed to fear. Those who have at least once experienced an attack at night subsequently experience sleep disorders.
Classic symptoms
The fundamental symptom of panic disorder is permanently recurring attacks of severe anxiety (panic), intense fear, the objective reason for which, in fact, is absent. Uncontrollable fear can arise absolutely suddenly and in any situation, and the more a person tries to get rid of it, the worse it becomes. According to statistics, panic reaches its climax within a few minutes, and then gradually subsides.
At the physiological (vegetative) level, it can manifest itself in surges in blood pressure, tachycardia, tremors of the limbs, lack of air, increased body temperature, sweating of the hands, dry mouth, a feeling of suffocation and discomfort in the chest area. Some patients may also experience nausea, heartburn, and a burning sensation in the stomach.
The emotional factor, as noted above, is represented by anxiety, fear, excitement, and terrible forebodings that have no rational basis. A person may begin to feel dizzy and experience a feeling of instability and depersonalization (as if everything that is happening in the here and now is not entirely real).
What to do in case of a panic attack
The most important thing to do during a panic attack is to switch your attention. Any method is suitable for distraction. If an attack occurs in a public place, you can clench and unclench your fists, rub your earlobes, or shift from foot to foot. If panic takes you by surprise at home, try turning on music and starting to do household chores: washing dishes, dusting. Any activity that involves muscle work and requires attention is suitable.
Since a panic attack is accompanied by a rapid heartbeat and a feeling of stuffiness, it would be a good idea to take a couple of sips of water and concentrate on breathing. It is best to master several techniques that will quickly relieve tension. In case of an attack, start by exhaling - slow it down, and the pulse will also slow down. The ratio of the length of inhalation and exhalation should be 1:2. You can experiment and choose the technique that will help you. A smartphone can also help you take your mind off panic. Games, social networks - all this will shift attention and distract from a panic attack.
How is normal anxiety different from a panic attack?
The mechanism that triggers a panic attack is no different from what causes ordinary anxiety - both are psychophysical reactions to danger. The difference is that a panic attack is a reaction to danger in the absence of danger. However, a false alarm triggers the same cascade of reactions as a normal alarm - the sympathetic system is activated, and adrenaline is released.
A panic attack can occur due to excessive physical activity, fatigue and exhaustion, as well as due to the abuse of stimulants and alcohol. In addition, stress and unresolved conflict situations can trigger an attack. A lack of understanding of one's own experiences and feelings, a tendency to avoid and ignore negative emotions also increase vulnerability to panic disorder.
How to treat panic attacks and when to see a specialist
It is necessary to contact a specialist if you have recurring panic attacks. Therapy is selected individually and, as a rule, includes psychotherapeutic work and drug therapy. Psychotherapy involves various techniques aimed at recognizing and understanding the causes of problems, teaching ways to deal with the symptoms of the disease, and relaxation methods. Psychotherapy can take place in the form of individual meetings with a psychotherapist or in the form of group sessions with other patients. Drug therapy for panic disorder is carried out with various drugs that help reduce the level of anxiety and fear. Prescription, dosage adjustment and discontinuation of treatment must be carried out under the supervision of a physician.
Modern neurotechnologies can also help in the treatment of panic attacks. Methods of neurofeedback training have been developed for patients with panic disorder. During the trainings, patients learn to manage their emotional state, they form new neural connections, and their anxiety level decreases. In addition to professional help, lifestyle plays a significant role in the treatment and prevention of panic attacks. Try not to abuse alcohol and caffeine, get more rest, go in for sports, preferably yoga.
Source: https://www.wmj.ru/krasota/telo/golovokruzhenie-zhar-i-dazhe-udushe-simptomy-panicheskikh-atak-i-kak-s-nimi-borotsya-razbiraem-s-vrachom.htm
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Answers to frequently asked questions that arise for those who are faced with neuroses
Are neuroses inherited?
No, they are not transmitted. Character traits can be transmitted, such as impressionability, anxiety, suspiciousness, and so on, which, under unfavorable circumstances, facilitate the onset of neurosis.
Is it possible to recover from neurosis forever?
Yes, you can.
Could sexual dissatisfaction be the main cause of neurosis?
Yes, it can, but now, as the basis of neurosis, it practically does not occur. The role of sex is extremely overrated when it comes to the emergence of neurotic experiences. This is due to the contribution of Sigmund Freud to the development of the causes and mechanisms of neurosis.
Why is physical exercise useful for neuroses?
It is unlikely that it will be possible to cure neurosis with the help of physical education, but physical activity is very useful as an auxiliary component. Stress hormones (adrenaline, cortisol) are consumed and muscles relax, this will contribute to overall calm. You will seem to be letting off steam.
Does neurosis affect life expectancy?
More likely no than yes. But, if we exclude the fact that those suffering from neurosis take more care of themselves and lead a healthier lifestyle. This just contributes to longer life expectancy.
What will happen if I don’t treat my neurosis?
You won't die or go crazy. But your quality of life may decrease significantly. While remaining physically and mentally healthy, a person suffering from neurosis can fill his life with a huge number of restrictions, anxiety and depression.
What is the worst neurosis?
The one that is running. The longer a person suffers from neurosis, the harder and longer it takes to treat him. If a person fell ill, for example, less than 2 months ago, then 3-4 meetings may be enough for treatment. All other things being equal (age, intelligence, motivation, duration of illness, unfavorable background), panic disorder is the easiest to treat, and OCD is the hardest to treat. Social phobia may not poison life as much as panic attacks, but it is much more difficult to get rid of it completely, especially if it has been present since adolescence.
Is it possible to go crazy from neurosis?
No impossible. Read more
When should you start treating neurosis? When to finish? How long does it take to treat neurosis?
Start treating - the sooner the better. At a minimum, if symptoms become regular over two months, it is better to quickly consult a psychotherapist. When to end is a more difficult question. Let me give you an example of a situation: let’s take a person with a moderate degree of neurosis, who, for example, will need 8 meetings. The first two weeks - twice a week, then - once a week, that is, the general course will last one and a half to two months. Most often, by the fourth session, symptoms subside significantly. Gradually the symptoms go away in waves. After two months, they are either gone, or their echoes remain, which appear less and less often and become less intense. That is, when the symptoms have passed or there has been a persistent absence of them, you can think about ending the treatment. However, it happens that there are no symptoms, but a person continues to visit a psychotherapist for some time in order to optimize the quality of his life, make himself more stress-resistant and thereby prevent the recurrence of neurosis. To summarize: it is optimal to stop treatment when the symptoms have gone away completely or when there are so few of them that they no longer affect life, in addition, the issues that can support neurosis or provoke it have been resolved.
Is it better to treat neurosis in a hospital or on an outpatient basis?
From my point of view, in the vast majority of cases, neurosis is best treated on an outpatient basis. It makes sense to go to a hospital (for example, to a neurosis clinic) only if a person is completely unable to lead a normal life due to constant anxiety and severely depressed mood. Hospitals may prescribe drugs in IVs that will help you come to your senses a little. In a hospital setting, it is easier for a doctor to determine the effectiveness of drugs, since the patient is under constant supervision. In an outpatient setting, the doctor must be much more careful so as not to “overload” the patient. However, it is not always possible to receive full psychotherapeutic treatment in a hospital. However, for some it is a way out to get relief. Another reason to go to the hospital may be an unfavorable environment at home. If you find yourself in a hospital, avoid conversations on the topic of who got sick, otherwise you risk treating some fears and leaving with others. Outpatient treatment is preferable, since getting rid of neurosis requires mastering techniques that need to be practiced in real life. If the need arises, you will be prescribed sedatives anyway. Plus: you will be able to stay in your normal life for several weeks.
Is it possible to cure neurosis without pills?
In most cases, yes, if it is a pure neurosis, uncomplicated by anything (depression, organic brain damage, long-term course, and so on).
Are there pills for neurosis?
No. Drugs (tranquilizers, antidepressants, minor antipsychotics) that are used in the treatment of anxiety disorders are aimed at reducing symptoms, and not at the cause or mechanisms of neurosis.
What's the worst thing about neuroses?
Being a physically and mentally healthy person, you will not use your potential and realize your opportunities, and life will pass you by.
If I have a neurosis, is it worth talking about it, will they understand me?
Unfortunately, most likely you will not find understanding. People who have never experienced panic attacks, fear and anxiety in situations that seem ordinary to them (an airplane, a subway, a hairdresser, a concert hall, performances, standing in a traffic jam) are not able to understand how one can worry so much in completely safe situations and not being able to “pull yourself together.” Therefore, it makes sense to communicate what is happening to you only to those who are actively involved in your life or live nearby. So that they have the opportunity, if not to understand, then at least to accept the limitations that neurosis has brought into your life. So that they understand how they can help you and do not add even more anxiety with their worries, irritation or lectures. At the same time, you should not be afraid that someone will find out about your problems: your behavior may be incomprehensible to others, but since you will still control yourself, no one will decide that you are some kind of abnormal. Neuroses are quite common, so people often find understanding from those whom they would never have thought would find support.
Which specialist is best to treat neurosis?
See a psychotherapist. It was no coincidence that I clarified that I was seeing a doctor, because, unfortunately, psychologists often call themselves psychotherapists. You need a doctor who knows psychotherapeutic methods for treating neuroses. If you want to truly cure neurosis, and not just smooth out the symptoms, then a neurologist or psychiatrist is not suitable.
Can neurosis go away on its own?
Yes maybe. But if the symptoms increase and do not go away for more than one month, then it is unlikely.
Is it necessary to prevent neurosis?
I don’t think it’s necessary to specifically prevent any disease if your heredity is not burdened by this disease - there’s no point in thinking about what doesn’t exist. But it’s worth leading a healthy lifestyle, that’s all! Try not to give a damn about the quality of your life, don’t push yourself, don’t accumulate stress, try to balance your life so that it includes rest, healthy sleep, interesting activities, pleasant communication, and sufficient physical activity. Minimize the amount of conflict, alcohol and do not use drugs. Then the chances of neurosis appearing in your life will be significantly reduced.
Can mental trauma cause neurosis?
Yes maybe. Although often neurosis occurs when a difficult period is over.
Is it necessary to deal with childhood memories in order to recover from neurosis?
Not necessary. Information about childhood is needed to find out the personality traits that contributed to the onset of neurosis, and to determine habitual ways of reacting and thinking. That is, the mechanism “I remembered something from childhood, told a psychotherapist and the neurosis went away” does not work.
Is anorexia nervosa a neurosis?
No, with anorexia nervosa there is a completely different mechanism of occurrence and development. This diagnosis refers to eating disorders and is mechanically close to addiction.
Can alcoholism lead to neurosis and vice versa?
Yes maybe. Often the first panic attack in those suffering from alcoholism occurs during abstinence (the day after abuse). Sometimes after such an attack a person stops drinking. The situation is the opposite, when with the help of alcohol a person suffering from neurosis and social phobia relieves his constriction and fear, and begins to do this regularly.
What type of psychotherapy is most effective for neuroses?
From our point of view, the cognitive behavioral approach is the best. It began to be developed in the mid-20th century. A huge amount of research has been carried out on its effectiveness, techniques have been developed. The approach is based on a scientific basis, and in a short period of time it can help a person change a lot. But this does not mean that it is the only effective one; representatives of other psychotherapeutic schools also provide effective treatment. Here it’s like in surgery: scalpels can be of different shapes, the main thing is literacy, intelligence, experience, surgeon skills and the desire to help.
