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When anxiety attacks - Part 2
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We’ve already covered the symptoms of an anxiety attack and what can be underlying causes for attacks. Now, on to prevention and how spouses can support the sufferer.
It is a no-brainer that if you can head off the anxiety, you can decrease your likelihood of future attacks. But how do you do that? "Listening to our spiritual, emotional, and physical needs and taking good care of ourselves," says Bill Kuntz M.S., LCSW a Licensed Psychologist / Professional Life Coach in St. Louis. "When we are overworked, disconnected from friends & family, or not feeling fulfilled in our work and relationships we are much more vulnerable to anxiety.”
Proper rest, mindfulness (calmly accepting all our feelings), meditation, and quiet time to one's self can be a great antidote when dealing with high-stress jobs and lifestyles. Dr. William Glasser (a psychiatrist best known as the creator of Reality Therapy, a method of psychotherapy he created in 1965) suggests that we spend at least 20 minutes a day engaged in some type of "positive addiction" such as meditation or prayer. Kuntz supports this advice. “I think anyone who hasn't been doing this regularly will be amazed at how much more restful and "centered" you can feel when this is a part of your daily routine,” he said. As a supportive spouse, sometimes you can see when the anxiety sufferer is close to reaching a "boiling point" before he or she can. Encourage your honey to take those breaks or engage in “positive addictions”
There are also therapies like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy that can help the sufferer. Research has shown this type of therapy can be very effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Also, medications such as Xanax can be helpful. But that’s a decision only the sufferer can make. Certain meds can be used on an “as needed” basis but they can also be addicting or cause some unwanted side effects. The Mayo clinic has more info on both therapy and meds.
Anxiety support groups can be found online and off. For the person dealing with attacks, sometimes it helps to know he or she isn't alone. Also, sometimes a person who struggles with anxiety attacks will feel ashamed of and unwilling to talk about the attacks to a spouse. In this case, the spouse can encourage his/her partner to engage in therapy or support groups.
Sometimes anxiety attacks are triggered by a medical issue. You could have an overactive thyroid, hypoglycemia or another medical condition. Also, certain medications and herbal supplements can cause anxiety. Check with your doctor. Also alcohol, caffeine and illicit drugs can trigger or worsen panic attacks.
But what about when you find yourself in the middle of an attack? Breathing exercises can help. For more info click HERE. So can repeating a calming mantra. A friend of mine likes to silently chant, “This will pass. This will pass.”
Watching your loved one have an attack is anguishing. “They’re still rational, but much of what they’re feeling is out of their control,” says an article from Hitch magazine. “Sometimes the best you can do is to say, "Honey, I wish I could help, but all I can do is hold you while you go through this and let you know I’m here for you. I’m not going away. You’re such a strong person in so many other areas of your life; I know it must be awful if you’re feeling so scared about this." Knowing the sufferer has a spouse's support? Is priceless.
Thanks to Dr. Bill Kuntz, a psychologist who specializes in anxiety. He can be found at New Beginnings Counseling, P.C. at 6500 Marquette Avenue St. Louis, MO 63139. He can be reached at 314-647-4695 or go to his site found HERE
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