Did You Know That Panic Attacks Can Cause Heart Attacks?

   

 

How often have you thought you were having a heart attack while you were having a panic attack? How often have you been told or read that panic attacks will not kill you?
I always thought the scientists and therapists and doctors knew what they were talking about. It was important for me to know that their advice could be trusted. Many of you will relate.
While enduring years of panic attacks and continual underlying anxiety most of my life, I've always feared, as others have in my situation, that all this strain on my system couldn't be healthy. Those heart palpitations, the sweating, dizziness, shortness of breath and the anxiety are the same symptoms of heart attack. With each panic attack, I felt sure it was leading to heart failure.
In fact, I always wondered how to tell the difference between a panic attack and a heart attack. How would I know when to go to the hospital? This fear alone was enough to give me a panic attack.
Years went by and when the panic attacks didn't kill me, I grew to believe that I had fretted for nothing. There really wasn't anything to worry about.
Or so I believed, until I came across a recent announcement. Scientists are now saying that panic attacks can lead to heart problems, including heart rhythm issues and outright heart attacks. You can imagine how alarmed I was to hear this.
The only "good" news, if you can call it that, was that the damage isn't apparent right away, so there's no need to worry during a panic attack. The fact is, it can take as much as 6 months to see the effects of any damage that might have been caused during a panic attack.
They also say that the chance of panic attacks causing problems is still low, but I can't help but wonder.
I've heard that problems with heart rhythm are relatively common, as are panic attacks. Did you know that everyone at some time in their lives will experience a panic attack? According to the scientists who conducted this latest study, it only takes one panic attack to cause damage to the heart.
Taking into account the fact that everyone will have a panic attack, it's hard not to wonder if panic did cause a large number of people to develop heart rhythm problems. If you could use me as an example, I've lived with anxiety forever and panic for about 8 years. Today I have heart rhythm problems. Coincidence? Or is this evidence?
And if that's not bad enough. Apparently, woman are triply at risk because we are more likely to have panic attacks than men. Menopausal women could be at an even higher risk of having a heart attack as a result of panic attacks.
Although it's possible your heart is fine, here's a 4-point check list to get treatment for your panic attacks so that damage will not occur:
1. Start with your medical practitioner where you can get a thorough physical checkup to see if there are any underlying conditions contributing to or causing your panic attacks.
2. Insist on being referred to a doctor or therapist who specializes in the treatment of panic attacks.
3. Do not be waved off. Let the practitioners know you won't be easily appeased. Don't settle for a simple answer to your panic attacks. In many cases, you might be given a prescription to ease your symptoms. Demand more. You need to get at the root of your panic attacks. It's proven that in the majority of cases, the best cure is an appropriate combination of talk therapy and drug therapy.
4. Find the right therapist for you. We have our own personalities and like other situations, we don't get along with everyone. The same holds true for therapists. If you feel you are not getting the results you expect, or you don't feel comfortable with your therapist, seek a second opinion.
Although the risk is relatively small, it doesn't pay to delay seeking immediate help for your panic attacks, especially if you are a woman.

Find help on our relevant Self Help Book Site [http://www.book-titles.ca] Sylvia Dickens is an award-winning journalist who has struggled and overcome depression, panic and anxiety. Formerly with the Canadian Mental Health Association, she's written, "A Guide to Teenage Depression & Suicide" and "How To Build Confidence and Banish Anxiety Forever". Visit Sylvia’s Natural Anxiety Relief [http://www.book-titles.ca/blog/] blog for more helpful articles. Our sister Ebook Web Site carries books on travel, music instruction, dog training, hobbies, fitness, wealth building, business and more

Learning to Take the Time to Relax: Concerning Mental Health and Being There for Friends and Family

Over the years, I have seen people coming in to see me with all kinds of issues and concerns. Not long ago, I saw a few clients coming in with a different kind of complaint. They were not so concerned about themselves, but were worried about a dear friend or family member going through a critical illness. This particular woman stated that she wanted to be supportive for her friend, yet was concerned about being too pushy or intrusive.she just wasn't sure how to handle her involvement. First I told her how lucky her friend was to have such a kind and compassionate friend as she. Then we discussed the challenges facing a support system when someone you care about receives a life-threatening diagnosis. I thought this was a very important topic and worthy of this article.
When someone gets a critical diagnosis, whatever that may be, they often go through the same stages of grief as one who is dying, even if that is not the case. Just the diagnosis itself, can create shock and disbelief. It can make the individual feel vulnerable and unsafe as well as fearful of what the future holds for them. The Kubler-Ross model, often used to describe the grieving process, states that many people go through several different stages of grief when facing death. It starts with denial, then anger, bargaining, depression, and then acceptance. Not everyone goes through all these stages, and the order may vary, but it gives you an idea what your friend may be experiencing following his or her traumatic diagnosis or event. Even if they are not facing a terminal illness, just the shock of surviving an accident, or a serious diagnosis, can also trigger a grief reaction. While they are not grieving the loss of life, they are grieving the loss of feeling safe and invulnerable, and that can affect a person emotionally as much as the process of healing physically.
Most of us go through life with a kind of belief or attitude that if we do our job, work hard, be responsible and follow all the rules; we will stay safe and nothing too devastating will happen to us. Most believe that they only need to start worrying about degenerative diseases threatening their life once they get older and become frail. Although we all know that this is not necessarily true, it is the story most people tell themselves, a kind of universal denial in order to feel safe and powerful. So whether you get this diagnosis, or if you are in a serious accident, or you lost your house in a fire, whatever the dire situation is, it can send you into a tailspin of shock, fear, denial and depression until you come to accept the situation and learn how to deal with it.
When you are the friend, sister or cousin of this person, you may find yourself reacting on two different levels. On the one hand you may feel shocked yourself hearing about your friend, you will probably feel sad for them and worried and want to be supportive. On another level, this can bring on a lot of fear and stress for you. If you, like most, of us, have been living under the illusion that you are safe and expect to stay that way, what do you say to yourself now that your closest friend has been diagnosed with a critical illness? This can create a dilemma as on the one hand you want to be supportive and there for her, but on the other hand seeing your friend, sister or colleague shrinking in front of you, becoming depressed and vulnerable, or witnessing their reactions to the chemo, radiation, or medical visits can create so much stress and fear in your, that you may find yourself looking for any reason to avoid dealing with her and her needs. Her vulnerability reminds you that you can also become vulnerable, and who wants to be reminded of that? For this reason, you may find yourself using any excuse to avoid dealing directly with her needs. You may feel guilty but you are so paralyzed with fear and anxiety, that you feel you are more ready to deal with the guilt than walk with your friend through this mine field of anxiety and stress.
The good news is there are many ways that you can be there for your friend or family member. If you can't bring yourself to go with her to the doctor, or the hospital, you can:
- offer to watch her children so she has time to rest
- go shopping with her or for her
- take her out to a movie, to distract her
- explain to her that you are not abandoning her but the situation is bringing up a lot of stress in you and this is the best you can do for now
- ask her how she is and don't accept "fine" as a real answer
- Tell her you are so sorry that she has to go through this
- Make her a supper, so she doesn't have to cook
- Take her out for a walk
- Make phone calls for her
What not to say:
- don't tell her you know of other people surviving this illness. She doesn't care about other people. She may be still in shock or denial mode
- don't tell her to be positive. She will feel angry and think that you are minimizing her situation
- don't tell her it will be fine. You don't know that and neither does she
- don't tell her she has to be strong. She is not feeling strong right now, she feels terrified
For people facing these challenges, it's not just about the right doctor, the right physiotherapist, or treatments, it's also dealing with the emotional impact that this situation has placed on the individual. They are feeling overwhelmed, lost, scared, exhausted, depressed, and terrified. They are not fine but might say so because they know or feel that is what you want to hear. The truth is the one who needs the help is embarrassed or shy or afraid to ask you, in case you can't handle it. This is the time when you need to raise the bar, and be there for her or him. Isn't that the true meaning of friendship and family?

Rhonda Rabow, M.A.
Author's Bio Rhonda Rabow is an author and a psychotherapist living in Montreal, Quebec Canada. She has over 25 years experience counseling individuals, couples and families facing a variety of life challenges; from parenting, grief, depression, and self-esteem issues, to conflict resolution and marriage counseling. Her approach is empowerment and she accomplishes this by helping her clients find solutions to their problems and teaching them the skills and tools they need to feel back in control of their lives. She has also recently published an e-book called, "Discover the 3 secrets to living happily ever after".
http://www.helphelpmerhonda.ca
http://www.rhondarabow.com

Teen Suicide Statistics - An Epidemic of Self Inflicted Death Among Canadian Youth

 

The Canadian teen suicide statistics are alarming. Between 1952 and 1992 the national suicide rate increased by 78%. but by comparison the teen suicide rate for the same period increased more than 600%. If any disease or bacteria was causing such an alarming rise in the number of deaths it would surely be considered an epidemic.
Females account for 75% of attempted suicides, usually by drug overdose. But males are actually six times more likely to be successful and choose more violent methods such as shooting or hanging. About one-third of teen suicides are done by young people who have attempted it before.
Suicide rates are five to seven times higher for First Nations teens than other young people in Canada. The suicide rates amongst the Inuit youth are some of the highest anywhere in the world. They are 11 times higher than the Canadian national average.
Who is at risk for suicide?
Most of the signs of suicidal thoughts or feelings are similar to the symptoms of depression. Adolescents who feel alone, rejected, and hopeless are at risk. Alcohol or drug problems and parental discord (separation or divorce) can definitely play a part in teenage depression. Teenagers who have altered brain chemical issues, such as bi-polar disorder, are at a higher risk as well.
Watch for these signs.
You cannot always know what is going on inside a teenager's head, but you can see some outward signs of what is going on emotionally. An obsession with death; poems, stories, or drawings that depict death; irrational, bizarre behavior; a sudden change in personality or appearance; a change in eating or sleeping habits; major drop in school performance; giving away their belongings; a seeming sense of shame or guilt--these are all things to watch for as they are clues that a teenager is contemplating suicide.
Talking helps
Talking about suicide will not increase the likelihood that the teen will proceed with the intent. If you think someone you know is considering suicide you must talk with them about it.
Here is what you can say:
"You sound really depressed and unhappy. Are you considering hurting yourself (or killing yourself)?"
If the person answers in the affirmative ask them about how they plan to do it. Keep the person talking and reassure them that they way they are feeling is not a permanent state.
A teenager who is suicidal is not intent on dying. He just wants the suffering to end. He cannot talk himself out of how he is feeling or simply make the bad thoughts go away by thinking positive things. He is depressed.
People who are suicidal need your help and support but they also need professional help. If your friend was bleeding or suffering an acute infection you would not want to leave him unattended and you would help him to get medical attention.
If you or someone you know is thinking suicidal thoughts go and ask for some help from your parents, a teacher, or a trusted adult.
Most communities also have suicide or crisis hotlines that you can phone and talk to someone about how you are feeling. You can even phone this number to ask for help in dealing with a friend that you suspect to be suicidal.
Reaching out for help in situations of potential teen suicide is the first step on the path to healing.

Beverly Hansen OMalley is a health promotion specialist and likes to write about health related topics that help people in their daily lives. She is the the owner of http://www.registered-nurse-canada.com where she explores the uniqueness of the nursing profession in Canada including comparison of the nursing entrance tests for the US and Canada, comparison of registered nurse salaries across the country and what it means to have a nursing license