A new study in The New England Journal Of Medicine reveals that one of the principal causes of high-blood pressure in the contemporary world is logical thinking.
A researcher commented on the surprise finding, saying, “Look it’s basically an illogical world out there. So the more you try to deal with it logically, the more upset you’re bound to become – and up shoots your blood pressure. We found that, when we convince patients to give up interfacing with the world with the expectations that logical thinking sets up, they immediately become far more relaxed and, as a result, their blood pressure drops, often returning to normal levels.”
When asked if there might be other undiscovered factors that contribute to high blood pressure, he said, “Oh, absolutely. For instance, we’ve got a study in the works right now on that insidious culprit, sensitivity.”
“Sensitivity?” we asked.
“Yes,” he went on, “You see the modern world, especially as we interface with it through the mass media and frequently in corporate life, appears wildly insensitive to our individual wishes, so the more sensitive you are, the more likely it is to upset you. So we’re looking into how we can condition people to feel less, at least, when dealing with larger entities.”
“What about sensitivity in our personal lives? Is that still OK?”
“Well, I’d like to think so. But, since many domestic spats lead to higher blood pressure, we’re also considering a study to determine the benefits of reducing sensitivity in personal life.”
“But what good is it,” we inquired, “to have normal blood pressure if you’re determined to be illogical and insensitive?”
“Well, that’s part of the problem. In some ways, the cure may be worse than the disease. Of course, the ultimate way to lower your blood pressure is to die, but we don’t see that as a viable area for a long-term study.”
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Think Right Now
If you are having an anxiety attack, you may be so desperate for a quick fix that you are willing to do anything to get rid of the anxious feeling. Some of the most harmful habits that will only aid on depression and anxiety are as follows:
Cigarette Smoking
Many people say that they smoke because it “calms their nerves.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Cigarette smoking will not calm your nerves. In fact, it will make your nerves worse than they were before you started smoking in the first place. Cigarette smoking constricts the blood vessels and makes your heart even beat faster. It does not calm the nerves, but merely exacerbates the anxiety attack.
Quitting cigarette smoking is very difficult to do. In fact, it is said that cigarette smoking is akin to heroin addiction. Some say that quitting heroin is easier than cigarette smoking. Many people try to quit smoking to no avail. They try patches and other types of gimmicks so that they can be smoke free. The truth of the matter is that you have to make up your mind to quit smoking and stick with it. Once you go for three days without a cigarette, the nicotine has left your body and the physical addiction is past. You can then move forward to quitting the psychological addiction.
Alcohol
Many people, when they have a problem with anxiety, will start drinking alcohol. Alcohol numbs the mind and makes things seem a bit brighter. But it is a false cure. It may make you feel better temporarily, but in the long run it will end up making you feel worse. And alcohol is a depressant. If you are not depressed by the time you start drinking, you will be after you are finished. And alcohol is a drug. Just like any other drug, it builds up a tolerance in your system. The more you drink, the less it affects you. Pretty soon, you are drinking more an more to get the same effect and to drown your sorrows.
Do not drown your sorrows in booze. Look for another way out. While some people contend that alcoholism is a disease unto itself, others disagree and see it as merely a symptom of a disease. A disease that stems from depression and anxiety. This is why Alcoholics Anonymous encourages people to control what they can control and recognize the fact that they cannot control everything. As anxiety and depression all stem from control (or lack of control), one of the reasons that AA works is that it gives this valuable insight to members who feel that most of life is out of their control.
Street Drugs
Street drugs like marijuana are often used to stop anxiety and make a person feel better. It has the opposite effect. While marijuana may not be as addictive and harmful as alcohol, it is still illegal. And inhaling hot smoke into your lungs is not going to do you any good. There is also evidence that marijuana kills off brain cells. Street drugs are not the answer for depression. While some may say that this drug has medicinal purposes, one of them is not to alleviate depression or anxiety – it merely masks them and doesn’t allow the person taking it to face their own demons.
If you have a problem with depression or anxiety, do not try to self medicate. Look for healthier ways to try to get your body and brain chemicals in balance rather than resorting to nicotine, alcohol and street drugs.
Because a lot of people today do not like taking medications for their disorders, they often opt for alternate medication for their anxiety. This includes aromatherapy, acupuncture, herbal supplements and meditation. These will work well if the anxiety is not severe and there is no severe underlying depression that is causing the anxiety.
We all get anxious once in a while – we wouldn’t be human if we did not have some anxiety in our lives. But some people have extreme anxiety while others have mild anxiety. The difference would be someone who suffered frequent anxiety attacks caused by an underlying condition such as obsessive compulsive disorder or panic disorder. These conditions cannot be mixed with those who suffer from anxiety over taking a math test.
In cases where the anxiety is not as severe to the point where it is stopping someone from doing their every day business, they may try alternate means of treatment before they resort to medications. Some of the alternate means of treatment include:
Herbal supplements
Kava , St. John’s Wort, Valerian and Sam-e are all herbal remedies that have been known to quell minor anxiety and depression. Kava has a very calming effect and can be taken a few days a week to help with minor anxiety. St. John’s Wort is better in treating depression, that often accompanies anxiety. Valerian and Sam-e are two of the newest herbal supplements that have shown promise in helping with anxiety attacks. However, you should not take these supplements along with prescription remedies and if you find that they are not helping you, you should talk to your doctor about another option. These herbal supplements are made for those with mild to moderate anxiety and depression and not for those with severe disorders.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the anxiety healing art of inhaling infused oils that will get into your bloodstream and cure whatever ails you. Aromatherapy can also be used when mixed with other oils as a massage oil. Many people swear by this type of treatment in that it does them wonders. Again, this type of alternative therapy is made for those who have mild to moderate forms of anxiety or depression.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a way that some people use to rid themselves of all sorts of problems, including anxiety and depression. Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and can help heal aches, pains and even headaches. Some people who suffer from depression or anxiety swear by this healing method which has its roots in ancient China.
Meditation
Meditation is yet another way that you can help yourself overcome your anxiety attacks. Meditation is something that has been around for thousands of years and is often associated with Hinduism or Buddhism. But it is also very good for finding peace of mind when you are trying to relax. You can take a class in meditation or you can watch a DVD to learn how to master this ancient eastern practice.
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If you suffer from… * Palpitations * a pounding heart, or an accelerated heart rate * Sweating * Trembling or shaking * Shortness of breath * A choking sensation * Chest pain or discomfort * Nausea or stomach cramps * Derealization (a feeling of unreality) * Fear of losing control or going crazy * Fear of dying Numbness or a tingling sensation * Chills or hot flashes
(Source: American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) 2000 Washington, DC.)
…then you’ve experienced firsthand some of the possible symptoms of a panic or anxiety attack.
If you are reading this page because a loved one suffers from these symptoms and you are trying to understand or help, it’s hard to appreciate what they go through. Just try to imagine what it feels like to experience one, if you can. Here is a typical example: Standing in a supermarket queue, it’s been a long wait but only one customer to go before you make it to the cashier. Wait, what was that sensation? An unpleasant feeling forms in your throat, your chest feels tighter, now a sudden shortness of breath, and what do you know—your heart skips a beat. “Please, God, not here.” A quick scan of the territory—is it threatening? Four unfriendly faces queue behind, one person in front. Pins and needles seem to prick you through your left arm, you feel slightly dizzy, and then the explosion of fear as you dread the worst. You are about to have a panic attack.
There is no doubt in your mind now that this is going to be a big one. Okay, focus: Remember what you have been taught, and it is time now to apply the coping techniques. Begin the deep breathing exercise your doctor recommended. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Think relaxing thoughts, and again, while breathing in, think “Relax,” and then breathe out. But it doesn’t seem to be having any positive effect; in fact, just concentrating on breathing is making you feel self-conscious and more uptight.
Okay, coping technique 2: Gradual muscle relaxation. Tense both shoulders, hold for 10 seconds, then release. Try it again. No; still no difference. The anxiety is getting worse and the very fact that you are out of coping techniques worsens your panic. If only you were surrounded by your family, or a close friend were beside you so you could feel more confident in dealing with this situation. Now, the adrenaline is really pumping through your system, your body is tingling with uncomfortable sensations, and now the dreaded feeling of losing complete control engulfs your emotions.
No one around you has any idea of the sheer terror you are experiencing. For them, it’s just a regular day and another frustratingly slow queue in the supermarket. You are out of options. Time for Plan C.
The most basic coping skill of all is “fleeing.” Excuse yourself from the queue; you are slightly embarrassed as it is now that it is your turn to pay. The cashier is looking bewildered as you leave your shopping behind and stroll towards the door. There is no time for excuses—you need to be alone. You leave the supermarket and get into your car to ride it out alone. Could this be the big one? The one you fear will push you over the edge mentally and physically. Ten minutes later the panic subsides. It’s 10:30 a.m. How are you going to make it through the rest of the day? If you suffer from panic or anxiety attacks, the above scenerio probably sounds very familiar. It may have even induced feelings of anxiety and panic just reading it.
The particular situations that trigger your panic and anxiety may differ; maybe the bodily sensations are a little different. Or maybe it happened to you for the first time on a plane, in the dentist chair, or even at home, while doing nothing in particular. If you have ever had what has become known as a “panic attack,” take comfort in the fact that you are by no means alone. A panic attack always comes with the acute sense of impending doom. You feel you are either about to lose your mind or one of your vital bodily functions is about to cease functioning and you will end your days right there among the canned goods and frozen food. You are by no means alone; you’re not even one in a million. In America, it is estimated that almost 5% of the population suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. For some, it may be the infrequent panic attacks that only crop up in particular situations-like when having to speak in front of others, while, for other people, it can be so frequent and recurring that it inhibits them from leaving their home. Frequent panic attacks often develop into what medical physicians refer to as an “anxiety disorder.” One of the first steps to regaining control of your life is getting helpful information. This site will give you that, and more. The beginning of your recovery starts here. What you will learn is that there is a very good chance you are about to end the cycle of panic attacks in your life. You will learn not only to regain the carefree life you remember once having, but will also gain new confidence in living. Your answer to living free from “panic” or “anxiety attacks” is at hand. This site demonstrates that the panic and anxiety that you have experienced will be the very key to your courage and success. Begin the road to recovery by browsing through the site. While many of you may have read almost everything you can possibly read relating to panic and anxiety I assure you this site offers something very effective. Did you know…? The key difference between someone who is cured of panic attacks and those who are not is really very simple. The people who are cured no longer fear panic attacks. I’ll try to show you how to be one of these people as well. What if I told you the trick to ending panic and anxiety attacks is to want to have one. That sounds strange, even contradictory, but let me explain. The trick to panic attacks is wanting to have one-the wanting pushes it away. Can you have a panic attack in this very second? No! You know the saying that “what you resist, persists.” Well that saying applies perfectly to fear. If you resist a situation out of fear, the fear around that issue will persist. How do you stop resisting–you move directly into it, into the path of the anxiety, and by doing so it cannot persist. In essence what this means is that if you daily voluntarily seek to have a panic attack, you cannot have one. Try in this very moment to have a panic attack and I will guarantee you cannot. You may not realize it but you have always decided to panic. You make the choice by saying this is beyond my control. Another way to appreciate this is to imagine having a panic attack as like standing on a cliff’s edge. The anxiety seemingly pushes you closer to falling over the edge. To be rid of the fear you must metaphorically jump. You must jump off the cliff edge and into the anxiety and fear and all the things that you fear most. How do you jump? You jump by wanting to have a panic attack. You go about your day asking for anxiety and panic attacks to appear. Your real safety is the fact that a panic attack will never harm you. That is medical fact. You are safe, the sensations are wild but no harm will come to you. Your heart is racing but no harm will come to you. The jump becomes nothing more than a two foot drop! Perfectly safe. Learn more http://www.livewithoutpanic.com
Joe Barry is an international panic disorder coach. His informative site on all issues related to panic and anxiety attacks can be found here:http://www.panicportal.com
This article is copywritten material
One of the secrets to getting through an anxiety attack is to be able to work your way through the anxiety attack. Anyone who has ever experienced the panic and suffering that is felt during an anxiety attack knows the feeling of fear that is pretty much indescribable to anyone who has never felt this sensation. Follow these tips to help work yourself through the anxiety attack:
Realize that it is only anxiety attack
Once you have figured out that you are having an anxiety attack, you can calm yourself down and rationally know that , this too shall pass. Anyone who suffers with anxiety can sympathize as the sensations come and go. When you are in the middle of an anxiety attack, realize that this is real, it is a panic attack, but it will go away. Acknowledging that you are having an anxiety attack is the first step towards working your way through the anxiety attack.
Do something physical
Exercise, clean the house, cook dinner or do anything else that will get your mind off of the attack. Some people report that even cleaning their bathroom will help them through an anxiety attack. Any physical activity releases endorphins and then elevates your mood. Stress is usually the underlying cause of an anxiety attack and reducing that stress can also help you work through your attack. Empower yourself, don’t feel helpless, do something physical, the more productive the better.
Reach out to your support network
Reach out and touch someone. A friend or family member who may understand what you are going through and support you through the entire ordeal. This is not an effort to look for pity, but a chance for your friends and family to help you when you are in need of their help most. You would do the same for them, so give them the chance to help you.
Many people are afraid to admit that they are feeling anxious and keep this a hidden secret from friends and family. This only makes things worse when you are found out. You will not have that sounding board or anyone to talk to when you need it most. And when you finally let someone else in on your secret, you will be surprised to learn how many people actually suffer from the same anxious feelings that consume you! You are far from alone when it comes to having an anxiety attack. As a matter of fact, the majority of people have experienced some sort of anxiety or panic attack at least once in their lives.
By understanding an anxiety attack, knowing what it feels like and understanding that it will pass, you can help yourself to overcome the feelings of a panic attack. Doing something physical and reaching out to your support team will also help you overcome an anxiety attack. Use medication as a last resort instead of at once. You can empower yourself against anxiety attacks and do not have to be held a prisoner of crippling fear of the unknown.
Anxiety disorders are often created from stress. From GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) to panic disorder, you can reduce the anxiety in your life purely by reducing stress. Stress is a part of daily life for each of us, but if you let your stress take control of your life, serious issues will arise. Luckily, ongoing stress can be overcome, but it is important to know the steps to doing so.
Stress is an internal reaction triggered by external forces, like pressure. One of the best ways to overcome the reactions to pressure is plenty of exercise. Daily exercise can help you be trained to physically deal with stress by erasing your tolerance to stress during exercise. During a panic attack, most people feel symptoms similar to a heart attack. Heart palpitations and shortness of breath are just two of these. A vigorous workout gives you these same feelings, but in a much healthier way. As you exercise more, you push your body to accept these conditions and become more comfortable with them without panicking.
Good sleep is also very important to eliminating stress. Stress can physically wear you out, and without proper sleep, you will feel the effects of stress much easier. This can lead to anxiety disorders in addition to the attacks. Schedule at least 8 hours for sleeping to get enough and make sure that you. Don’t eat or drink lots of sugar or caffeine rich foods before bedtime and try to do relaxing actions in the hours before you go to bed. If this is a big issue, see your doctor for help with sleeping problems.
Another way to reduce stress is to schedule time for non-work, enjoyable activities. Take vacations or at least a couple of days off in order to have fun. Your job is a major cause of stress, and along with that stress comes worrying about money, health, and many other things. By purposefully setting aside time to enjoy your life with loved ones or on your own, you can physically and mentally put stress aside at least for at least a few hours. Give yourself at least 60 minutes daily and an entire long weekend on occasion to purely enjoy the fun you can get out of life.
Don’t forget, work to diminish stress by thinking a bit differently about life. Perfectionists are some of the most stressed-out people. Sometimes, this can be a good trait, it can also go too far. Realize when to stop and let something go. Always think positively about life. When you worry that you aren’t good enough or are upset about little things, they really add up to hurt you. Managing your thought process is just part of the battle, but if you work at reducing stress, you can avoid developing anxiety problems.
Everyone feels anxious once in a while. We may feel anxious about taking a test, going to the doctor or any other situation in which we feel uncomfortable. For some people, however, they are unable to control their anxiety, and they wind up having a full blown anxiety attack. This can often land someone in the ER of the hospital because they feel as though they are having a heart attack.
When you are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you have to have several anxiety attacks over at least 6 months. This is chronic anxiety and most doctors will then evaluate you for these conditions. While anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax and Klonopin can help take the edge off of an anxiety attack, they are not the cure. Most doctors will refer you to a counselor or a psychiatrist who will then diagnose you with one of the types of anxiety disorders that are common and treatable.
General Anxiety Disorder
This is an anxiety disorder in which no known cause for the anxiety exists. A person who suffers from this type of anxiety disorder will often have anxiety attacks, triggered by an unknown source. It can be something in their head that sets them off. Doctors will give anti-depressant medication coupled with anti-anxiety medication so that it balances the chemicals in the brain and allows the person to function regularly.
Panic Disorder
Someone who suffers from panic disorder gets frequent anxiety attacks and often winds up in the ER of the hospital thinking that they are having a heart attack. This can be a very disabling anxiety disorder and is the one that is the most pronounced. Like general anxiety disorder, this has no known cause. Again, it is treated with anti-anxiety medication as well as anti-depressants.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Those who suffer from this anxiety disorder have undergone some sort of life threatening stress in their lives that keeps them from functioning at full capacity. While is it often associated with veterans who come home from war, anyone can suffer from this disorder who has been through a great deal of stress or life threatening situation. In this case, the source of anxiety is well known and therapy is often used to alleviate this type of anxiety disorder.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder is one where you may have an anxiety attack when you are around crowds of people. The person who experiences this type of social anxiety disorder will feel cold and clammy, may feel heart palpitations and even fainting when they are around crowds of people. Anti-Anxiety medications can help someone overcome social anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are best diagnosed by a professional. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms regarding anxiety, you should seek out a medical opinion and not suffer in silence. There are many types of anxiety disorders and only a medical professional can give you the proper diagnosis.
