August’s “Hope Health Letter” Snip-It – Q: Anxiety or Panic?

A:  Anxiety ranges from occasional, short-term worry to persistent, excessive dread that interferes with daily life. Panic attacks can occur unexpectedly; people who have them often begin to fear them.

Symptoms of panic include dizziness, choking sensations or fear of dying or going crazy. Learning to prevent panic attacks is important, and so is accepting that they are brief and survivable.

Anxiety and panic both lie on a continuum ranging from a small worry – which can sometimes be helpful – to overwhelming terror, which usually is not. Both can disrupt our lives.

Luckily, there are effective treatments for both conditions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (counseling), mindfulness training and medication. Ask your health care provider to rule out other conditions that can cause these symptoms, and then request a referral to a mental care provider for treatment.

• _{Eric Endlich, PhD (Source: Anxiety Disorders Association of America)}

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