Complete Idiot's Guide to Conquering Fear and Anxiety

Page 12Responses:Flee from danger by running, climbing or hidingFight by warding off the danger and, if possible, seek aid or reassurance from a powerful figure, who can protect you, soothe you, or bothFreeze­turn all one's energy inwardWhat's more, fears may not originate in your head at all but in last night's dinner, inside your ear, or in something in the air that's making you sick.Fear FightersUntil recently, abnormal fears such as panic attacks and phobias, were believed to exist purely in the psyche and so were only treated psychologically. But sometimesnon­psychological causes, such as disease or chemicals in the environment, can create anxiety and mimic panic like symptoms. Proper treatment relies on an accuratediagnosis. So, if you suffer from panic attacks or phobias, you may consider seeing your physician and get a medical examination to rule out a potential medical causeof anxiety symptoms. Generally, though, it's hard to pinpoint a single cause of anxiety; the psyche and the body are one and in collusion. In the very least, medicalproblems can contribute to and exacerbate anxiety symptoms. For instance, though a panic attack may be triggered by an allergy, the allergy itself may be influencedby stress that results from negative thought processes and poor coping skills. This book will discuss the different triggers of fears and the various treatment approachesthat allow you to master them.Roots of FearWe don't know if our cave­dwelling ancestors also suffered panic attacks and phobias: They, after all, had to worry about real demons of the night. But we do knowthat phobias have been around as long as recorded human history.