You know you are not alone with your panic attacks and anxiety when the coolest man on the planet, who looks like he never succumbs to pressure has been reported to be having panic attacks.
Tiger Woods, typically cool under pressure, focused and in control of his game has been asked to take a lie detector test as part of his rehab for sex addiction. Tiger reportedly went “ballistic” when he was told he would be hooked up to a polygraph machine and started having symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks.
He also began having trouble sleeping and requiring medication to ease the stress.
As we know from our research, medication can ease the cycle of stress and poor sleeping in the short term but long term it is so important NOT to rely on medication.
The only long term anxiety treatment and cure for panic attacks is learning to control your thoughts, relaxation and breathing techniques. Obviously for Tiger, his cure will involve a lot of communication, honesty, therapy and family counselling sessions.
Deep issues of guilt, subconscious turmoil and intense media scrutiny never make for a good night’s sleep!
The scene was 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. The swimmer, future world record holder, Katie Hoff was in the warm up pool suddenly was seen coughing and spluttering and unable to breathe. She had to be rescued by her coach, Mark Schubert.
He reasssured her that a racing heart rate and clammy plams were normal part of world class racing. Chapmions in every sport have to learn to cope with the pressure of competing at their best on the day performing in front of millions of people all over the world.
Irrational fears can easily over take them. They worry about the heat, whether they have done enough training, whether they will suffocate during the race, whether they will trip over in front of the cameras, whether they will lose their sponsorship if they “only” come second and so it goes on.
Top athletes are now in structed in the art of visaulisation and relaxation techniques. Everyone has self doubts and it is important to learn to redirect the mind onto constructive thoughts. Michael Phelps, 14-time Olympic Gold Medallist, is highly practised at this and can reach deep state of relaxation at a count of two.
Dara Torres remembers her first international swim meet- she freaked out when she walked out in front of 17,000 screaming fans. She did not swim well in her first heat but by relaxing between races she was able to compete well in the final. She advises the practice is the key to managing anxiety. Michael Phelps has been practising “structured relaxation” since the age of 12yrs. He swims each race over and over in his mind- and sees himself performing successfully and overcoming every obstacle.
A good lesson for anyone suffering anxiety. Practice makes perfect- if it does not work with one try- it is important to practice regularly until you can control your mind better.
If it is good enough for gold medallists- it is good enough for us!
Legendary musician Michael Jackson who has sadly passed away age 50 was well known for suffering several confirmed health problems as well as some rumored ailments.
In 1984 he suffered burns whilst filming a Pepsi commercial and had to have major surgery on his scalp. He suffered intense pain and this is when it was thought he became addicted to painkillers. He is reported to have several skin disorders including lupus.
In 1993, Jackson’s dermatologist, Arnold Klein, released a statement saying Jackson had a rare skin disease called vitiligo. This causes the sufferer to lose melanin. Jackson was also hospitalized with chest pain in 1990. A concert tour was cut short in November 1993 because of an addiction to prescription painkillers.
In 1995, Jackson was rushed to a hospital after collapsing during rehearsals for a televised performance; the incident was reportedly caused by a stress related panic attack.
Another time, The National Enquirer reported that Michael Jackson was so stricken with panic attacks that at the MTV video awards, he almost did not go on stage to collect an award from Britney Spears.
In 2005, Jackson went to a hospital for treatment of what his spokeswoman said was recurring back pain. More rumors emerged in May 2009 that Jackson had skin cancer.
Michael Jackson has admitted he had a troubled childhood, his father admitted he whipped him for minor offences like missing a note. During one interview, Michael reported that he became emotional and vomited before meeting his father. In court documents, mental health experts had the opinion that Jackson was psychologically a regressed 10 yr old.
It seems clear that Michael Jackson was suffering serious mental health issues as well as addictions to several drugs.
Hopefully we can learn from his experience and take action before things become overwhelming and out of control.
Susan Boyle was admitted to the Priory clinic after the Britain’s Got Talent final. Her brother, Gerry Boyle said his younger sister had been on a “tremendous rollercoaster” and was struggling to adjust to her new life. The new singing sensation from West Lothian lost in the final to dance act Diversity was taken by ambulance on Sunday after staff became aware of her “strange behavior”.
Her brother called it an “anxiety attack”. “She’s been on a tremendous rollercoaster. She’s coming to terms with the fact she’s no longer an anonymous face.”
Sources say that she is a lot better today. She was physically and emotionally exhausted and the worldwide attention has taken is toll. Piers Morgan the Britain’s Got Talent judge said “she was physically and mentally drained, she’d been sick a few times in the previous week, hadn’t been sleeping, hadn’t been eating – and had found the whole weight of the world’s media pressure crashing down on her shoulders.”
Neighbors and friends assure her she has the full support of everybody and wish her a full recovery.
For anyone who smokes marijuana, perhaps two of the most relevant questions that crop up are
1. Does marijuana cause panic attacks?
2. Can marijuana be used to prevent or cure panic attacks?
Marijuana just like alcohol acts differently in different people.
For some, it can soothe the nerves, calm the mind and help the user to relax; for others, it might work quite the other way, resulting in an increasing of heart beat, overwhelming feeling of anxiety, chest pain and more. Marijuana amplifies whatever feelings are deep in your sub conscious. If you are already happy and relaxed, it may accentuate these feelings. But if you are angry, scared and stressed it will accentuate these feelings as well. Hence marijuana should never be used as a panic attack treatment.
Marijuana essentially alters the chemistry of the brain, causing both long and short term side effects. Instead work on controlling the mind. You also have the mental power to calm your mind to let these thoughts go away and let your mind be at peace. Try things like meditation, yoga or behavioral therapies to gain control instead of becoming dependant on a drug.
Many panic sufferers are so desperate for a cure they rush to try anything assuming all herbal remedies are completely safe with no side effects.
This is a foolish mistake. There are 3 potential dangers to beware of:
1. Drug Interaction
Whilst herbs are often an excellent, holistic, natural method for managing panic attacks, anxiety, and mood, they can be dangerous. Remember some herbs are so powerful, they can be fatal!
Herbal remedies can interact with over the counter or prescribed medication. Always consult your doctor before endeavoring to use any kind of herb for treatment of panic and anxiety.
2. Allergic Reactions
Just like you may love peanuts, you friend may get such a bad reaction they end up in hospital! Also even if you safely use a remedy for a while, allergic reactions can develop over time.
Symptoms of allergic response to herbs include things like: Vomiting, swelling of the tongue or face, breathing difficulties or any rash. If any of these symptoms develop, cease taking the remedy and consult your doctor immediately.
3. Pregnancy
It is still unclear of how many herbs affect a pregnant woman , a woman that is nursing, and the unborn fetus or the child that is breast feeding.
Since there is such a huge question regarding the effects of various herbs on the market, it is therefore suggested that pregnant and nursing women refrain from herbal consumption.
