FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Before answering questions, let's begin with some definitions:

• Anxiety
  A painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill; a fearful concern or interest; an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it. More information . . .

• PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
  a psychological reaction occurring after a highly stressing event that is usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event -- called also post-traumatic stress syndrome. More information . . .
• GAD
  Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by 6 months or more of chronic, exaggerated worry and tension that is unfounded or much more severe than the normal anxiety most people experience. More information . . .

• Phobias
  An exaggerated (usually inexplicable and illogical) fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation. More information . . .

• OCD
  Relating to or characterized by recurring obsessions and compulsions especially as symptoms of a neurotic state. More information . . .

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  We add questions we receive from visitors to this page, so ask questions and refer back here often.
  FAQ

• What are the symptoms of a panic attack?
• What causes panic attacks?
• How many people have anxiety disorder?
• Have any famous people suffered from anxiety?
• How long have anxiety disorders been "officially" recognized?
• How are Anxiety and Panic different - and does it matter?
• Is there medication that works and where can I find it?
• Can a Support Group help?
• What if I can't find a Support Group?
• Is real deep breathing helpful?
• How do I remember to practice breathing?
• How do I handle day-to-day living with anxiety?
• What if I am too anxious to travel?
• What is the connection between oxygen and anxiety?
• What goes into conducting a support group meeting?
• How can I deal with crowded places?
• How can I feel better about going to work?
• Why go to the doctor when I can read about it here?
• Why learn how to breathe - don't I already breathe?
• What clinical studies support these breathing claims?
• Why not just practice yoga?
• Do I have to pay a newspaper to advertise my new support group?
• Can I write to you?
• Where can I read more about anxiety?
• Are there other good sites on anxiety?

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• What are the symptoms of a panic attack?
• Different people, of course, have different symptoms, but some of these may sound all too familiar to you:

  • Constantly worried about things without any signs of trouble
  • Frequent aches and pains that can't be traced to an illness or injury
  • Being tired but having trouble sleeping
  • Body is constantly tense
  • Heart starts pounding for no reason
  • Feeling dizzy
  • Feeling like you can’t breathe
  • Feeling you are about to die

  More information . . .

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• What causes panic attacks?
• Many things can contribute to a panic attack, more than we can list here. Diet, exercise, shallow "chest" breathing, caffeine, etc. More information . . .

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• How many people have anxiety disorder?
• There are an estimated 2.8% of the U.S. population (4 million Americans) have GAD during a year's time. GAD most often strikes people in childhood or adolescence, but can begin in adulthood, too. It affects women more often than men.

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• Have any famous people suffered from anxiety?
• Yes, many famous people throughout history have dealt with anxiety and panic disorders. Sir Isaic Newton, Abraham Lincoln, and Barbara Streisand are among scores of recognizable names of those who have had to deal with panic and anxiety. More information . . .

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• How long have anxiety disorders been "officially" recognized?
• It was not until 1980 that the American Psychatric Association recognized anxiety disorders, so prior to that, the disorders went largely misunderstood and untreated. Since 1980, more has been learned about the severe disabilities associated with the disorders. In the past 20 years, it has been found that most of these disabilities can be prevented with early diagnosis and effective treatment.

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• How are Anxiety and Panic different - and does it matter?
• There are differences between anxiety and panic, and it does matter when taking steps to deal with each. More information . . .

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• Is there medication that works and where can I find it?
• Yes, there is medication, but please remember that there is no magic pill that will make this "go away." Medication has its place in an overall therapy and can be quite helpful in "breaking the cycle" enough to allow healing to proceed. More information . . .

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• Can a Support Group help?
• A good Support Group can be very helpful in many ways. If I could make only one recommendation to a fellow sufferer, I would recommend participating in a Support Group. More information . . .

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• What if I can't find a Support Group?
• There are Support Groups all around you - you just have to know where to find them. And, if they are too far away to attend, you can set up your own Support Group near your home. More information . . .

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• Is real deep breathing helpful?
• Breathing can be overdone - you don't want to hyperventilate. Over-breathing can cause dizziness and it can cause a feeling of anxiety. Proper breathing is very helpful, in fact, you will notice that most experts will mention proper breathing as the "number one" technique you should use for combating GAD. More information . . .

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• How do I remember to practice breathing?
• Some people use a wristwatch alarm, a kitchen timer, even a cell phone alarm to remind them to practice at regular intervals. Alarms can be loud and attract unwanted attention and they can be complicated to program or re-set each time. There is an inexpensive breathing reminder called The BreathMinder that has a silent alarm, is easy to use, and is tiny enough to wear comfortably under clothing.

  Click thumbnail for larger image

  More information . . .

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• How do I handle day-to-day living with anxiety?
• Working full time, air travel, crowded public places, and car trips can all be overwhelming for an anxiety sufferer. There are coping skills that can be learned and practiced. More information . . .

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• What if I am too anxious to travel?
• Travel is one of my least favorite activities and it can create extreme anxiety in many people. However, there are ways to overcome these feelings. . More information . . .

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• What is the connection between oxygen and anxiety?
• We all have within us the power to breathe our way to a healthier and happier life. Breathing properly is so simple, it is easy to not give it proper thought and practice. . More information . . .

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• What goes into conducting a support group meeting?
• There's a lot to consider for a well-run and productive meeting. Who's the leader, do we need an agenda, how do you get the meeting started (and keep it going) are just some of the points . . More information . . .

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• How can I deal with crowded places?
• Coping with crowded places presents a big challenge to me. Many people I know avoid big crowds, so a lot of this is just personal preference. I know that mine is more than just personal preference - I dread the confining feeling of a crowd. . . More information . . .

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• How can I feel better about going to work?
• I used to dread going to work. I felt trapped and worried about what would happen if I had an anxiety attack and couldn't leave the office - I used to go to the ladies room quite often! But if you are lucky enough to have a good job - you can control your anxiety disorder and keep that good job. . . More information . . .

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• Why go to the doctor when I can read about it here?
• IMPORTANT: This site is not intended in any way to replace sound medical consultation. Diagnosis and treatment by a licensed physician is vital and nothing contained in this site (or any other site) should take the place of regular visits to your doctor . . More information . . .

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• Why learn how to breathe - don't I already breathe?
• Some people have eliminated their anxiety symptoms simply by changing the way they breathe. A proper breathing technique is very important and requires practice. You breathe now, but the way you breathe may not use your lung capacity. Some people "overbreathe" . . More information . . .

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• What clinical studies support these breathing claims?
• The Framingham study included thousands of participants followed over a 30-year period and offers persuasive evidence that the most significant factor in health and longevity is how well you breathe. Also, the von Ardenne studies, and those of his teacher, Dr. Otto Warburg, who received the 1931 Nobel Prize for his work on cell behavior in oxygen-enriched conditions. . . More information . . .

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• Why not just practice yoga?
• There is a direct connection between yoga, meditation in general, and breathing. Controlled breathing technique (or "breathwork") is essential to the practices of Yoga, Ayurveda, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and many other disciplines . . More information . . .

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• Do I have to pay a newspaper to advertise my new support group?
• No, not if you do it right! You send the newspaper what is called a Press Release. Most newspapers have a section devoted to community meetings and support groups. Other newspapers will treat the new start-up group as a news story. . More information . . .

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• Can I write to you?
• Sure you can and a lot of people do. I have had visitors to the site from all over the world (you can see all their flags on the "Feedback" page.) On the "Feedback" page is a simple fill-in form that will automatically email to me. . More information . . .

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• Where can I read more about anxiety?
• The internet provides a lot of resources - but the articles are all over the place and differ in quality. I have posted some of the better ones I have found and a couple my husband and I wrote. . . More information . . .

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  There are also some good books available. The ones I have read and can recommend personally, I have posted on one of my pages and I direct you to other resources you can explore on your own.More information . . .

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• Are there other good sites on anxiety?
• The Internet is filled with sites that deal with anxiety, panic, stress, and related issues. However, there are good ones and some not so good. I have listed a page of other sites I feel are legitimate and helpful. . . More information . . .

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  Page last modified October 6, 2007

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