Panic attack: recognizing the symptoms
The most everyday things suddenly make Ina anxious, even a stroll through a crowded shopping center. But sometimes the symptoms also occur when she is worried about the future and fears becoming unemployed.
What to do with panic attacks?
But what can you do about panic attacks? Patients who suffer from panic attacks, like Ina, can help themselves to ensure that the attack subsides quickly. Various distraction maneuvers help them, such as rolling a hedgehog ball over their arms. Or they can hold their hands under cold water. A glass of cold water has also proved effective, although it should not be drunk too quickly. If you don't have anything to hand, you can also recite the alphabet backwards. Or you can pack your suitcase in your mind. The main thing is to distract your thoughts from the emerging panic.
Can you beat panic attacks?
Panic attacks do not necessarily indicate a pathological anxiety disorder. However, they may develop over time and gain the upper hand more and more often. In this case, sufferers can be referred by their GP to a specialist outpatient clinic or specialist consultation for anxiety disorders, which many university hospitals now offer.
An important pillar of therapy is behavioral therapy. It specifically confronts the patient with the anxiety-inducing situation. In this way, the brain is gradually "reprogrammed" and learns to overcome the fear. A recent study, in which the University of Marburg was also involved, confirms the effectiveness of behavioral therapy. Certain areas of the brain that were overactive in the patients calm down again. This is revealed by magnetic resonance imaging.
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