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When God captivates, He does something to make that person's pleasures despicable. He displays Christ's beauty & sin's ugliness. Jim Elliff
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Panic attacks are just an overreaction to stress.
Panic attacks and anxiety are the same thing.
Anxiety is more of an umbrella term, which can encompass panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and more.
"Anxiety is more worrying about something bad that could happen in the future, whether it's in the next five minutes or later in the week," he explained. "When [panic] starts affecting their life, when they start worrying about the next panic attack, when they start avoiding situations to prevent them, that's what we would call panic disorder."
You're stuck with the disorder for the rest of your life.
"It's a common misconception that [being diagnosed with panic disorder] means that you'll be on medication for the rest of your life," Warren said. There's a huge stigma when it comes to mental health, which can make sufferers prolong getting help. However, the sooner you do so, the sooner you can control your panic.
Research shows that medications are effective, but so is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy without medications or a combination of both, Warren added. "There's also a myth that there isn't any hope or any effective treatment, which isn't true," he said. Your doctor can help you determine which method works best for you.
It's hard to relate to someone who has panic attacks.
Remember that truck scenario from before? Chances are you can recall a time you've been in a similar situation where you needed to spring into action. Those are versions of panic attacks, . It's just not as easy for some people to write them off.
Warren suggests practicing compassion the next time a loved one goes through the experience. "Listen and let the person tell you about what it is they're experiencing," he said. "Empathize. Think of a time in your own life when you've been terrified of something. It might have been external, but you still remember how terrifying that is."
Panic is a gateway to a more serious mental illness.
Many people believe that being diagnosed with panic disorder or having a panic attack means they're going to develop another serious mental illness, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. "Panic disorder is something that's kind of in its own right," he said. If you're still worried, bring up your concerns with a mental health professional, he added.
Deep breaths will calm a panic attack.
"We hear all the time that if you're really anxious to take a deep breath -- but with people who have panic attacks ... you put yourself in a hyperventilation state," Warren said. By inhaling deeply, you're releasing extra carbon dioxide. This causes an increase symptoms like dizziness and and numbness, which can make you feel like you're suffocating and lead to more rapid, deep breaths. Focus on more shallow inhalations and exhalations instead.
Loved ones can't help when someone is having a panic attack.
Panic attacks are a personal experience, which means each person who sufferers from one reacts differently than another. Some people may want you to talk them through it, others may want you to distract them, Warren explained. "The point is to try to respond non-judgmentally and get it from their point of view,"
Looking for more ways to help? Check out these supportive phrases (and what phrases you should avoid).
You should avoid what causes the episodes.
It may be the first instinct to avoid whatever is causing you pain, but Warren advises to do quite the opposite. "Once you start avoiding places because you think you might have a panic attack, you start restricting your life," he explained.
Engaging in "safety behaviors," i.e. not going to places that will trigger the attack or even avoiding exciting movies that cause a rush of adrenaline, the sufferer may not learn that there's nothing to fear in the first place, Warren says. The best way to manage them is to employ the CBT techniques or other methods that have been discussed with a professional.
Have a story about mental illness that you'd like to share? Email strongertogether@huffingtonpost.com, or give us a call at (860) 348-3376, and you can record your story in your own words. Please be sure to include your name and phone number.
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
We have to remember that the behavior of those who are not born again of the Spirit and have not received a new nature, will and do and can't help it, live according to the flesh, the devil and the world. Its possible at any moment of time that what has been restrained can suddenly exposed into a action. cew
There is a major difference in the worship service, experience watching Shadow Mountain Community Church, with David Jeremiah and watching Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, California with John MacArthur. Two totally different styles of worship. One with the great hymns of the faith and one with praise song, One with topic teaching and one with exposition preaching, one with the idea of the TV audience and the other just as it is in the service.
This amazing, arresting, astonishing, astounding, awe-inspiring, awesome, Word of God that we have to preach each week, why would we want to preach from any other book? Today its Romans 12:16.
When was the last time you encouraged your preacher, who is committed to teaching the Word of God diligently each week?
If your pastor is hardworking to preach the whole counsel of God, to let the subject matter and purpose of the text control that of his sermon and to apply the Bible to your life so that you’re walking in the truth, you are blessed.
Reading the LA Times headlines: "Will the Supreme Court recognize modern marriage, or stick with a version that's now obsolete?" "They will probably settle the issue once and for all by the end of June". Well, we as Christians live not of this world, we are strangers here. Its getting to be more strange every year. First Peter 2 still holds for us as Christians.
