Your Brain and Anxiety

Read how others have rid themselves of panic attacks.

Panic Attacks: Lexipro versus Celexa

A study completed in 2006 suggests that for elderly patients Lexipro reduces panic attacks and symptoms of depression and anxiety at an earlier stage of treatment versus Celexa.

The study looked at 40 elderly patients (ages 65 - 78) with recurring anxiety attacks. After two weeks, the Lexipro group experienced significant decrease in panic symptoms. It took the Celexa group at least four weeks to show any decrease. After eight weeks, both the Lexipro and Celexa groups were at similar levels.

Source: Rampello L, Alvano A, Raffaele R, et al.: New possibilities of treatment for panic attacks in elderly patients: escitalopram versus citalopram. Clin Psychopharmacol 2006; 26(1):67-70.

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Panic Attacks and Food

Research has shown that certain foods can increase your likelihood of having a panic attack. While your panic attacks might not be triggered by what you eat, it is still helpful to know the foods that have been shown to increase anxiety and panic.

Caffeine
This is one is not a surprise to me. Caffeine blocks adenosine, a protein found throughout the body. Adenosine regulates the firing on nuerons in different brain regions. Caffeine has been found to increase the calcium flow to nuerons which increases anxiety levels.

Caffeine also increases the lactic acid levels in the bloodstream. Increased lactic acid levels can increase anxiety.

Sugar
Sugar can cause a dramatic increase in anxiety. Like caffeine, sugar can cause lactate to build up in the bloodstream. In addition, the ingestion of sugar causes a release of insulin which decreases blood glucose. This causes mood swings. If you suffer from anxiety you should limit your sugar intake and try to eat complex carbohydrates. Also, try eating smaller meals throughout the day.

Alcohol
Most of us use alcohol to calm down. Well, it appears that alcohol can actually increase your level of anxiety. Drinking alcohol not only increases lactate levels in the blood, it also causes fluctuations in blood sugar levels. This all leads to increased anxiety.

If you are suffering from anxiety or panic attacks it might be time to look at your diet. Try eliminating the above foods and see if this helps to lessen your symptoms.

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Anxiety Side Effects

Constant anxiety or panic can have side effects upon your life and health. Common anxiety side effects are:

Acne
Indigestion
Diarrhea
Eating disorders
Asthma
Susceptibility to heart attack
Lowered immune system
Affects ability to make decisions

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Adult Separation Anxiety

Anxiety can be brought on by many things. One common source of anxiety is separation from home or an attachment figure. It is often thought that a diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder is solely for children. However, there is growing evidence that an adult form of separation anxiety does exist.

A University of Toledo* study found that first semester college students exhibited signs of separation anxiety disorder. In these cases anxiety or panic attacks were associated with separation from attachment figures. This anxiety caused the students to stay closer to home when choosing a college. However, it did not appear to affect the student's academic performance.

Why is the diagnosis important? A diagnosis of panic disorder in this case would not assist in effective treatment because the focus would be upon the physiological symptoms rather than the separation events.

*Seligman, Laura D., Wuyedk, Lisa A. (2007). Correlates of Separation Anxiety Symptoms Among First-Semester College Students: An Exploratory Study. The Journal of Psychology, 141(2),135 - 145

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Stanford Studies Moms and Daughters with Panic Disorder

Stanford University School of Medicine is seeking 200 moms and daughters to study panic disorder and its effects:

The purpose of this project is to evaluate vulnerabilities of adolescent daughters of women with panic disorder to identify factors that make risk for future anxiety problems more likely. In particular, we are testing whether at-risk daughters attend more to threat in the environment than do daughters of mothers with no history of anxiety or mood disorders. We are also interested in understanding how mothers with panic can help minimize anxiety developing in their daughters.

This is a paid study and more information can be found here.

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Is This a Panic Attack? Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a panic attack:

• unable to breath
• unable to swallow
• high heart beat
• nauseous
• feel like you are about to faint
• hot flash or sweating
• shaking
• sweaty palms
• feeling claustrophobic
• feeling like you have to escape
• feeling like you need to go to the bathroom
• feelings of intense fear

These are some common signs and symptoms of a panic attack. You will have more than one happen at the same time, plus the symptoms will come on suddenly.

Remember, panic and anxiety attacks are not unusual. You are not alone. Just breath and remember panic attacks are not forever. Also, here are some ways that I have prevented a panic attack.

Learn how others have stopped panic attacks.