Why do professionals take anxiety/panic attacks lightly?

Question

They think it's an act for attention, when it's not. I know I have them, & when I fall out & faint, they yell at me, telling me to get up. They did that to this other young lady who had just had a baby, & her baby got taken away, so she had a panic attack. How serious are panic attacks? Are they REALLY serious health-wise? Why don't people take them seriously. If I have an anxiety headache, people call me a delusional hypochondriac & say it's all in my mind when it's not.

Answer 1

when you say professionals do you mean professionals at work or medical professionals?

if you are treated poorly at work you have a really good option avialable to you -- get another job where they respect you. not all bosses are creepy. its just when you have one it seems that way.

if its medical -- all doctors are not created equal. i get cluster headaches and about 99% of doctors are worthless when it comes to them. the internet is a valuable resource though. you can find groups of people just like you. i did and i found a good doctor. if you search for support groups on the internet i am sure you can find one.

fyi -- i have had anxiety attacks and learned how to avoid them. they are caused by things that are far outside your ability to control -- like angry bosses. the easiest way to stop them is avoid what causes them. mine are usually in large crowds in cramped spaces -- no mall for me at christmas time. i really think a job change might do you good.

Answer 2

I've actually not met any health professionals who took them lightly. However, there is a distinction between anxiety and panic, though it eludes me at this moment.

There ARE what in the "industry" are called ASers, Attention Seekers, in which case they often do have all the key elements to panic attacks except the key phyisological responses that can not be seen. Are these people making it up? No. Are they faking? No. They are not dealing with a situation in a healthy manner and and it is being acted out, most of the time they are not aware it is an act. Why they are called attention seekers, I have no idea. I once had a doctor acuse me of this behind my back (he was talking to someone on the phone in the next room about me, using my name), what was his reason for this thinking? I refused to take anti-depressants, turns out it was a thyroid problem and he even had the blood work to prove it...

Be that as it may, panic, which is a stress disorder, or sometimes a side effect of depression can be serious in a persons life. Elevated stress leads to stronger health problems, not to mention the social problems it can even effect sleep. If you are having these attacks often get yourself to a counsellor of sometime somehow and have it assessed.

and then there are people who do actually act it out and are aware that they are....

Tension headaches are VERY common, I assume this is the same as an anxiety headache. Use OTC pain killers, drink lots of water and find better ways of coping or reducing stress in your life.

Treatment for anxiety, panic, stress, "nerves", etc is life conditioning, coping skills and anti-depressants.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

Anxiety/Panic Attacks are as real as the air that we breathe. I have suffered from Panic Attacks for years and take meds for mine. I of course saw a therapist and a psychiatrist both recommended by my Family Physician and together they mapped out a chart and here I am 12 years later and still am on anti anxiety meds. They are highly addictive and should only be used when necessary, but I have been put on a low dose once a day to help stop panic attacks before they start. I have panic attacks that cause painful symptoms as I am disabled (physically) and cannot stand it. I go through good periods but as always when I am stressed or not feeling 100% in control I start having them again. I take Klonopin but take shots of Adavan when I have to go to the hospital for an out of control attack. You need to get a better Dr and stop listening to other people. You know your body and you know what needs to be done. Talk to your family Dr first and see if he can help you and point you in the right direction. There is hope and good help out there. It just takes a while to find it. Good Luck and God Bless!!!

Answer 4

Many health care professionals do not fully realize how serious of an impact that anxiety/panic attacks can have on people unless they have experienced them. They also may be jaded by the amount of people that claim to have anxiety/panic attacks and aren't really having a true episode. If you are talking to a "professional" that acts that way then I suggest that you find one the specializes in anxiety disorders.

Answer 5

Probably because so many people have anxiety/panic these days. Think about how often we're threatened with danger in the daily news. Too many people are not eating right or getting enough down time. These things lead to panic and anxiety, not to mention heart attacks, and other diseases.

Answer 6

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 7

First of all - talk only to the people that you care for about it. If someone doesn't understand, they'll make you feel foolish. They won't understand. I have only suffered from nervous conditions mildly myself, but I dated someone for several years who suffered from panic attacks (with a family heritage of it) and it is very real!! This is not in your head (it's a very 'real' issue) and you should be able to seek some medical or emotional remedy for this....

Answer 8

Anxiety/panic attacks are REAL! If your Physician treats you like this, go elsewhere. There are some compassionate people out there. Take care and good luck. Hope the sites below help you out.

Answer 9

They have never experienced it. They need to all get the feeling and then they can understand.

I used to be a nurse and never had an attack until ten years ago.

Hang in there..try to learn to breath deep and slow when you feel one coming on.

Take medication when you need to.

It is NOT all in your mind.

I would suggest that unless you are talking to a medical person. Just tell your friends that you have a bad headache.

Hang in there. You will learn to cope with them.
The attacks feel like you are going to die. But I have never heard of a person who has died from on.
The key is to learn how to avoid them and be on anti depressent etc.

Bless you

Answer 10

anxiety attacks in themselves aren't dangerous but the stress in your life and or the emotional state you are in that is causing you to have panic attacks or anxiety attacks IS a big deal, don't let anyone try to downplay it.