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Panic attacks and anxiety based on health concerns are two aspects of anxiety that can significantly affect the quality of life. While both can involve intense fear and distress, their causes and manifestations are often linked to concerns about physical health. In this article, we will explore what panic attacks are, how anxiety related to health concerns manifests, and what solutions exist to manage these disorders. However, what you should know is that this is exactly what you should not do. Searching and researching online is the first thing that needs to be avoided.

Such research may calm you momentarily, but it later leads to increased anxiety, with all of its symptoms. The recommendation is firm and strictly therapeutic: Do not search online. Seek a therapist because that is the only way to resolve the issue in the long term.

What Are Panic Attacks?

A panic attack is a sudden and intense reaction of fear or anxiety that occurs without an obvious reason, but it can be accompanied by extremely disturbing physical and emotional symptoms. These usually include:

• Palpitations (rapid heartbeats)
• Difficulty breathing or a feeling of suffocation
• Tremors and excessive sweating
• Chest pain, often mistaken for a heart attack
• Extreme restlessness or the feeling of losing control

While panic attacks can occur without a clear triggering factor, they are often linked to the fear of not being able to cope with stressful situations or not having control over one’s physical reactions. In those with health concerns, the symptoms of panic attacks can often be misinterpreted as signs of a serious health condition.

Health-Related Anxiety

Health-related anxiety is a type of anxiety in which a person is constantly worried that they have a serious illness or that the symptoms they are experiencing are signs of a severe physical condition. This form of anxiety is often referred to as hypochondria or health anxiety. Individuals who suffer from this disorder tend to exaggerate minor physical symptoms and interpret them as indicators of dangerous illnesses.

Symptoms of Health-Related Anxiety:

1. Constant health concerns: Affected individuals are constantly worried about having a serious illness, even when there is no evidence to support this worry.
2. Misinterpretation of physical symptoms: A mild headache, a faster heartbeat, or tiredness may be seen as a sign of a serious condition like a heart attack, cancer, or a neurological disease.
3. Frequent doctor visits: People with health-related anxiety often seek medical help constantly, even for minor or temporary symptoms, because they need confirmation that they are not suffering from a serious condition.
4. Avoiding physical activities: Health-related anxiety may lead to avoiding exercise or daily activities out of fear that they might trigger a health problem.
5. Fear of misdiagnoses: Individuals with this form of anxiety often fear that doctors might make mistakes and may request repeated medical investigations to get confirmation.

How Do Panic Attacks Relate to Health Anxiety?

In many cases, panic attacks can be triggered by health-related concerns. For example, someone who feels a stronger heartbeat or chest pain may interpret this as a sign of an impending heart attack. This interpretation can lead to intense panic, which can amplify physical and emotional symptoms, ultimately resulting in a panic attack. Thus, health-related concerns and panic attacks can fuel a vicious circle: the fear of being ill causes panic attacks, and the panic attacks reinforce health worries.

Causes of Panic Attacks and Health Anxiety

There are several causes that can contribute to the development of panic attacks and health anxiety:

1. Chronic stress and trauma: Stressful life events, such as losing a job, a divorce, or a family illness, can contribute to the onset of a panic attack. Additionally, experiencing a difficult period can make a person more sensitive to minor physical symptoms.
2. Genetic predisposition: A family history of anxiety disorders or panic attacks can increase the risk of developing these conditions.
3. Negative interpretation of physical symptoms: People who are prone to anxiety may have a heightened sensitivity to physical changes in the body and may interpret these changes as signs of a serious illness.
4. Media and internet influence: Constant access to health information can amplify worries, especially when reading about the symptoms of serious illnesses. In some cases, this can lead to incorrect self-diagnosis and a constant concern about health.

How Can Health Anxiety and Panic Attacks Be Treated?

While panic attacks and health anxiety may seem overwhelming, there are several effective approaches to treat and manage them.

1. Psychotherapy
   Various forms of therapy address panic attacks and anxiety. Regardless of the method, it is essential to include some form of psychotherapy. A strictly medication-based approach does not ensure the stability of positive effects, carries the risk of relapse, and may intensify symptoms. Psychotherapy provides an optimal way to address the causes, approach symptoms, and uncover the real root of this clinical picture.
2. Medication
   Medications can be helpful in treating panic attacks and anxiety. Antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and anxiolytics (such as benzodiazepines) can help reduce symptoms. Additionally, medications can be used to decrease the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.
3. Relaxation and Breathing Techniques
   Relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce the physical and mental tension associated with health anxiety. These techniques help calm the nervous system and reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety.
4. Physical Exercise and a Healthy Lifestyle
   An active and healthy lifestyle can help lower overall anxiety levels. Regular physical exercise, a balanced diet, and a proper sleep schedule contribute to reducing stress and improving mental health.
5. Education and Correct Health Information
   Providing accurate health information and learning the difference between minor symptoms and signs of a serious illness can help individuals with health anxiety manage their worries and avoid incorrect self-diagnosis.

What Not to Do When Experiencing a Panic Attack/Anxiety:

1. Don’t search online for details about diseases. This behavior will generate more somatic symptoms.
2. Don’t diagnose yourself, regardless of the condition you suspect or believe you have. Many diseases have similar symptoms, and many of the symptoms of medical conditions are also symptoms of a single panic attack/anxiety.
3. If you have been prescribed medication, take it exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses, do not decrease or increase the dose due to personal fears, and do not take any medication without a prescription from a specialist, especially from the internet (articles, forums, ads).
4. Avoid reading about medications and their effects. This behavior will create anticipatory behaviors and thoughts of danger, thus causing you to experience other clinical symptoms specific to a panic attack.
5. Avoid unnecessary medical checks, especially those initiated on your own. Trust your doctor’s conclusions and diagnosis.
6. Try not to eliminate activities you used to enjoy. They are not a risk to your safety; rather, they are a positive resource.

These are just a few useful tips, and if you’re still here, avoid looking for information about different diseases. Watch a good movie and enjoy it, and also find a therapist. It helps more than you think and gives you clarity on what to do.

What You Should Not Forget!

No one has ever died from a panic attack or an anxiety crisis. It is not a life-threatening condition, and there is no cardiac risk.

We appreciate any share of this article. It could help a friend.