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When a Loved One has Panic Disorder

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Some Do's and Don'ts for Family and Friends

panic disorder can have a profound impact on social relationships. Family and friends may want to help, but may not know what to do. Learn some Do's and Don'ts to minimize the possible negative impact of panic disorder on social relationships.

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Strategies for Getting Through a Panic Attack

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Getting through a panic attack can be difficult. However, it is possible to manage panic attacks. Here are some tips and strategies for getting through a panic attack.

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Panic Disorder Spotlight10

SSRIs for Panic Disorder Treatment

Wednesday July 6, 2011

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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs, are a class of antidepressant medications. It is not uncommon for those diagnosed with panic disorder to be prescribed SSRIs in order to treat the general symptoms of this condition. Prozac (Fluoxetine), Paxil (Paroxetine), and Celexa (Citalopram) are some common examples of SSRIs used to effectively treat panic disorder. Those prescribed with SSRIs often question how these medications can help.

Learn about how SSRIs are used in the treatment of panic disorder.

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Morning vs. Evening Panic Attacks

Thursday June 30, 2011

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Many people with panic disorder report that they feel their most anxious in the late evening. This often makes them more susceptible to experiencing high amounts of anxiety and even potential panic attacks before bed. Feeling worried or nervous in the evening can prevent you from falling asleep, staying asleep, and getting and overall restful night.

Suggested reading for better sleep:

Evening anxiety is not the norm for everyone. There are many people who sense more nervousness in the morning. Waking up to feelings of fear and apprehension can make it difficult to face the day.  

Suggested reading for a less anxious morning:

There are also those people who feel anxious most of the time or do not really notice a difference in anxiety levels from morning to night. Do you notice changes in your feelings of anxiety from morning to night? Do your panic symptoms fluctuate depending on time of day? Are there any ways you have found to reduce anxiety when you first wake up or before you go to bed?

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Breathing Exercises for Panic Disorder

Tuesday June 28, 2011

Breathing can feel constricted during a panic attack. It is often recommended to engage in a deep breathing exercise in order to take fuller breaths and create a sense of calm. However, focusing on your breath during a panic attack can be much harder than it seems.

I personally find it very challenging to try to breathe deeply in the face of fear. Rather, I have found it more useful to practice breathing techniques on a regular basis to combat overall feelings of anxiety. By frequently practicing my breathing exercises when I am already in a calm state, I can more readily use them when I feel stressed out or fearful.

Here are the steps to one of my favorite breathing exercises. This technique involves deep abdominal breathing along with a simple visualization. Try practicing it in the morning to the start the day off fresh, in the afternoon to recharge, or before bed for a restful night.  

  1. Begin in a comfortable position, such as lying on your back.
  2. Simply notice how you are feeling physically. Are there areas of your body that feel more relaxed than others? Take several breaths and with each exhalation, allow the body to let go of any tension.
  3. Become more aware of your breath. Breathe in and out of the nose. Notice how your belly falls and rises with each breath.  
  4. Imagine that your breathing is like filling a pitcher of water. As you inhale, the water pours into the body. First filling the belly, then the lungs as the rib cage expands, and finally the chest. Hold the breath for a moment.
  5. Next, exhale your breath out, imagining that you are emptying the pitcher of water. The air first pours out of the chest, then out the lungs, and finally the belly as you feel your navel draw in towards your spine.
  6. Repeat this exercise for five to ten more cycles of breath.
  7. Take a moment to notice how you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally.

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Abdominal Breathing to Reduce Anxiety

Three Part Breath

Stress Release Breathing Exercise

PD versus OCD

Thursday June 23, 2011

Anxiety is a part life. We may get nervous about an upcoming event, worry about the safety of our loved ones, or become fearful in an unfamiliar situation. However, anxiety disorders can develop when these feelings of nervousness and fear become excessive and interfere with one's quality of life.

Both panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are anxiety-related conditions characterized by extreme worry and fear.  It is not unusual for a person with panic disorder to also be diagnosed with OCD. However, the criteria to be diagnosed with OCD differ from that of panic disorder. OCD involves fearful thoughts followed by specific behaviors to help alleviate these thought. Panic disorder, on the other hand, entails recurring panic attacks.

Read more about the differences between panic disorder and OCD.  

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