A Cure For Panic Attacks? What Does Not Work

If there is a magic bullet to cure panic attacks for you, and certainly there are ways to overcome panic, finding out what works for a given individual may take a little work. Along the way, it may help to know what does NOT work.

I. Avoiding what makes you feel anxious

People with significant anxiety and panic attacks commonly avoid things. Of course there are things one ought to avoid like actual danger or low priority things that distract from higher priority ones. But here we are talking about avoiding normal life events and circumstances like going out in public or various responsibilities.

If we find ourselves in a situation that makes us feel anxious, we may back away from it. That may restore our sense of calm. So we begin to avoid that situation in the future. And for a while, it may work. That may teach us to avoid other anxiety-producing situations as they arise. So what seemed like a good way to stop feeling anxious circumvents responsibility, deadlines, and the flow of normal life.

What had seemed like a way out becomes a trap. We have deceived ourselves into thinking that avoidance behavior is a cure for fear. Of course we don't always go to extremes, but among panic attack and anxiety disorder sufferers, extremes in various degrees can be more common than average. Some people are afraid of leaving their own house.

II. Depending on pills ... too much

Pharmaceutical drugs for anxiety or their natural alternatives like calming teas can play a helpful role in overcoming panic and anxiety. Heavy reliance may be placed on such substances for initial treatment or occasionally when a panic occasion arises. But some of these substances can also be detrimental to health with prolonged use. More importantly for our purposes here, they may aid one in ignoring underlying primary causes or in avoiding problems that cry out to be addressed.

Ask yourself if your nutritional supplements or prescription drugs are really working as a cure, or if something else is missing. Look into side effects. Ask your doctor about treatment alternatives that are in your individual best interests. Again, it is not that these things are necessarily bad, but rather that they often need to be integrated with other long term solutions such as counseling.

III. Alcohol

Sometimes a drink can calm the nerves. This can be useful quick fix. So can drugs or natural substances. But some anxiety sufferers feel under constant or severe stress. Alcohol consumption can become regular or addictive. Long term, over-consumption of alcohol drains bodily health, encourages depression, and facilitates avoidance of duty and normal life.

IV. Self-Pity and Blaming

Make no mistake. Panic attacks are a real pain. They're traumatic. And they can be accompanied by other considerable difficulties, sometime one's caused by the abuse or negligence of others. It's just that neither self-pity nor blaming others is an effective way to cure panic attacks. If a trusted friend, relation, or professional talks to you about your panic attacks, what are you going to say? Maybe you do not need to hide the truth, but are you more interested in the sympathy and approval of others or in overcoming your panic attacks?

Of course self-blame can easily become twisted too, and that is no help. Accepting the empathy and ear of others can be encouraging. Be encouraged and keep moving toward what works.

V. Certain substances

There are certain prescription, over-the-counter, and illicit drugs that may increase or cause anxiety symptoms. If you are on a prescription drug and feel that it may cause you anxiety, talk to your doctor. And by the way, read the labels on soft drinks to see if they contain caffeine. Caffeine can increase anxiety level. Adding to your troubles does not help to remedy anxiety and panic.


Copyright (c) 2010 Peter Rubel