Anxiety is another word for concern, worry, unease, fretfulness, fear, nervousness or disquiet. It is an emotion just like happiness, sadness, anger or fear. All of these different emotions can be felt in normal ways but when anxiety becomes abnormal it effects the body, mind, and emotions in a negative and, at times, terrifying way.

In a “panic attack” the “fight or flight” response is triggered in the body with the expectation of something dreadful about to happen when, in fact, there is no true danger or emergency at hand.

The body releases chemicals into the body to enable one to escape or fight when they are not needed. These chemicals increase heart and blood pressure, sweat and trembling and a sense of panic begins to set in.

In the body, anxiety attacks can bring chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, nausea and headache that can be so intense it is mistaken for a heart attack. A panic attack is terrifying and the fear of having another can actually trigger it.

It is said that there is nothing to fear but fear itself and that is exactly what happens when one develops an anxiety disorder. The fear of feeling fear becomes a constant presence that must be avoided at all costs. Since one cannot guarantee that a panic attack will not happen, just going to the grocery store or doing any normal activity where one could have an attack can bring apprehension and avoidance.

From this, behavioral disorders can start with the sufferer being unable or unwilling to face fairly normal circumstances for fear of an attack. The person can become hypervigilant to any changes in their body fearing that it is in onset of another attack and that fear almost guarantees the dreaded “fight or flight response” that starts the attack. Social phobias may set in that will further limit life and interactions that could lead to an embarrassing loss of control. A sufferer may feel that they are going to die or go crazy.

First, you need to rule out the possibility of a medical problem, such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes that could be causing the attacks.

If your doctor wants you to go on medications for the attacks, first know that they will not stop the thought processes that got you into this place. Medications can only work on symptoms, not the cause. Next, read this page before you start them.

Always do your homework before you take any medications.

After ruling out any physical cause for the anxiety it is time to find a good counselor. Cognitive-behavioral treatment is by far the most effect way to stop anxiety attacks. Since it is your mind that is causing the fear, your mind is the best place to stop it.

Your Christian counselor will help you relax your body, relax your mind, and bring your emotions back to center in Christ. He has not left you and He will be with you right in the midst of your fear. During this time of struggle it is available to you to find Him as your comfortor and strength in a way you have not before. You can learn to trust Him in ways you never had to before.

The best thing to come from this ordeal might just be an intimacy with the Lord that is new and deep and even joyful in the midst of the struggles.

Even though it may feel as if you will never be free of the anxiety, you can. With help and time and the presence of the Lord, there is a very real hope of healing and restoration. Don't give up hope and don't stop being proactive about getting better.

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