Rules

#1 Don't EVER call them crazy, because they're not. There are more people out there than you know that have similar problems, and even worse.

#2 Don't try to force them to do something that they are affraid of. It can make them worse.

#3 Don't say they are chicken, or "What's wrong with you?" You have no idea what is going on inside them. I've heard stories of Anxiety sufferers who were faced with death, and that fear was nothing compaired to a major panic attack.

#4 Be supportive of your friend or loved one. Assure them everything is okay. Telling them, "Oh, stop it!" won't help a bit.

About Anxiety

Anxiety isn't usually something someone is born with. It developes sometime in life. It does affect men, but it targets women, especially in child bearing ages.

Sometimes things in the past can trigger it, over active thyroid, or chemical imbalances, and often unknown reasons.

A lot of times when we have panic attacks, its hard to control. Its a fear that is beyond description. You feel like you're going to die, basically. Sometimes what triggers these attacks are for what seems like silly reasons, like on "What About Bob", he was afraid his bladder might explode. Or, sometimes attacks come for no reason at all.

I think for a lot of us, strange things come into our minds that make us fearful. Things that a lot of people don't normally think about, its part of the disease. Like I'd mentioned, maybe because of negative situations in the past, or, things we've seen on the news or t.v. Who knows why these things come into our brain and make us fearful? It is yet a mystery.

Common symptoms of Anxiety: Fast heart beat, hyperventalation, cold clamy hands, figiting, feeling as if you can't breathe, weakness,shakeyness, stomach upset,feeling as if something bad will happen, and light headedness.

Some Anxiety patients can deal with it on their own, some take therapy and some have to take medication.

I've heard stories of people who were so severe, they were confined to their beds. My Grandma had a severe case several years ago. If she'd go for a walk away from the house, she would begin to panic as soon as she'd walk out the door. Many times, she would lay down in back of the car, panicing thinking she was having a heart attack. However, one evening, a preacher prayed for her, and the next morning, the Anxiety was gone. She's still doing great!