Panic Attacks: Face Your Fear

I can still remember my first panic attack. I was at a local grocery store, in the checkout line when it came on, and it was the scariest experience of my life. I had all of the usual symptoms: an extreme sense of fear, racing heart and sweating. The attack was so profound that I simply left my groceries in the cart and bolted from the store. It was a horrible experience that I will never forget.

For months after that first incident occurred I avoided the supermarket like the plague. Just thinking about the experience made me uncomfortable, and I actually began to have more panic attacks every time I reflected on that experience. Although I didn't know it then, what I was experiencing was fairly common. Worries about having another panic attack were actually creating a stage for more panic to surface. This was a horrible cycle, one that took me way too much time and an unnecessary amount of misery to break.

According to experts, a large number of secondary panic attacks (any panic attack after the initial experience) are brought on by the fear that a panic attack will strike. In light of this data, it becomes extremely important that people deal swiftly with their fears. Avoiding certain people, places and events associated with a prior panic attack only perpetuates and intensifies this disorder. Facing the things that are causing you fear and uneasiness is the only way to combat this awful cycle.

I finally went back to that grocery store. At first I stayed only a few minutes, but eventually I was able to stay longer. It wasn't easy, but as time went on I gradually forgot all about the panic attack and why I had been so frightened in the first place.

If you feel like a prisoner to panic attacks, I urge you to take action and face your fears. It is, unfortunately, the only way to effectively deal with your symptoms. I know people promise relief from pills and other treatments, and although that can certainly be of some benefit, there is no substitute for healthy action on your part.

Effexor For Anxiety and Depression: Indications, Side Effects and Warnings

From time to time, I'll review some of the more popular antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications to help you make more informed decisions when treating your disorder. Today I will take a look at Effexor.

Effexor (venlafaxine hydrochloride) is indicated for the treatment of major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, OCD and panic disorder.

Common Side Effects

Nausea
Insomnia
Headache
Sexual Dysfunction
Dizziness
Dry Mouth
Agitation
Vivid Dreams

Some Warnings

Effexor should not be taken by pregnant women as the prenatal effects are unknown

Effexor should not be taken by children and adolescents due to an increase in suicidal thoughts.

Effexor has been linked to hypertension.

Discontinuation of Effexor can lead to SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome

Effexor has been linked to memory loss

This is not a comprehensive list of either the side effects or warnings. I urge you to do your own research and talk to your doctor about all your concerns.

Anxiety and Panic Disorder: The Symptoms

Anxiety sort of snuck up on me. I was 17 years old and one day I just started feeling like something wasn't right. I couldn't explain what was happening to me. It felt like that sensation you get, body and mind, when you narrowly escape a traffic accident. That, at least, is how I explained it to other people. But this feeling was different, unexplainable and it was scary. As the symptoms got worse, I swore I was going crazy. My life felt unmanageable at every level.

If you have recently experienced "weird" symptoms you can't explain, and you want a bit of information that may explain them, I have provided a link which lists all anxiety and panic symptoms for your reference. Go here:

Anxiety and Panic Disorder Symptoms

It's important to treat anxiety and panic disorder early. It is a nasty condition that can feed on itself, and symptoms can quickly become escalated if it's not addressed.