With time and progress, there continues to be increased awareness and understanding regarding panic attacks and the effects they can have. With that being said, there is still a good amount of misinformation and misconceptions out there surrounding the topic and other mental health conditions. If you or a loved one are someone who has a history of addiction and maybe in recovery, you are at a higher risk of suffering from panic attacks. It may be helpful to have a better understanding of what panic attacks are and to learn about some potential ways to work through or prevent them together.
What is a panic attack?
Like many things in life, a panic attack will not always look the same way for every person who has one. But there are some common symptoms that usually remain consistent:
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Abdominal pain
- Hot flashes
- Chest pain
- Rapid heart rate
- Shaking
- Sense of impending doom
Preventing Panic Attacks: Is it possible?
Despite a breadth of research, the experts still aren’t quite sure how to fully prevent panic attacks. But they have decided that the most effective method of avoiding panic attacks is protecting yourself from specific triggers that may lead to a panic attack. In light of this, it’s important to identify what those triggers are for you personally.
Having a panic attack can make someone feel like they are having a heart attack or some other medical emergency, or even like they are dying. If you have never experienced a panic attack before and you begin to have the symptoms mentioned above for the first time, you should always seek medical attention from your doctor or an emergency room.
What causes panic attacks?
Experts aren’t exactly sure yet about why people have panic attacks, but it’s likely for a variety of reasons. There are a few universal factors though, that can make a person feel vulnerable. As previously mentioned, a history of substance abuse is one of those common factors. Others include other psychological diagnoses in conjunction with substance abuse disorders, neurological conditions, extreme stress levels from significant life events like losing a job or the death of a loved one and having a family history of panic attack disorder.
3 Methods of Panic Attack Prevention
Here are some things you can do every day to help stave off the stress that can lead to having a panic attack.
Self Care
If you’re not taking care of your body, physically and emotionally, you will be more susceptible to panic attacks. Building healthy habits in your diet and exercise, and finding self-care rituals that work best for you will help keep your body in a stable state.
Get Active
Regular exercise is shown to reduce stress and benefits your mind, body, sleep, and other bodily functions. The recommended amount of exercise according to the American Heart Association is 30 minutes per day, five days a week. Including yoga and other mindfulness exercises are also shown to decrease stress.
Learn Your Stressors
Everyone experiences some level of stress. But do you understand exactly where your stress is coming from? It’s different for everyone, so we can’t assume what causes each person’s stress. Try keeping a journal or some kind of record you use when you realize you are feeling stressed. Take a moment to pause and ask yourself: why am I feeling this way? What is causing this stress or anxiety? Document your thoughts.
Discover how Beachcomber Delray can help.
At Beachcomber Delray, we understand the mental health struggles that can coincide with the process of Rehabilitation centers for drug addicts. Call us today to learn about the services we offer, and how we can help.