Fear is the Mind Killer

This blog is particularly short in account that there isn’t much to say about phobias. So, therefore I’ll talk about panic disorder (panic attack) as well! Enjoy!

Lesson number 3 class...Phobia’s. I hate having to use myself as an example, but I’m sure all of you know that I am DEATHLY afraid...and I mean afraid of clowns. To use the words of Madelyn Kahn, I hate them, SO much. Fla- Flames!! Flames on the side of my face! Breath- heavy breathing! I’m sure you can imagine. Before we get this shin-dig dug, you all should know the difference between a phobia and a fear. A phobia is a strong irrational fear of something, usually a specific object or situation. A number of people can be afraid of heights. . .which is normal, and it keeps us from falling over the edge of a cliff or something. It becomes a phobia when the fear of heights keeps you from going up to the second floor or even up the stairs, or in my mom’s case a step-ladder. Here’s some food for thought: There are 4 categories of phobias that certain phobias fall into. 1. The fear of specific situations, like flying, driving, elevators, crowds, the mafia, and the like. 2. Fear of natural environments, heights, water, storms, blah blah blah. 3. Fear of injury, this includes needles, and medical or dental procedures. And finally, 4. Fear of insets or animals: spiders, bugs, snakes, rodents of unusual size, you get the picture.

Okay, sense some people have a tendency to get panic attacks due to certain phobias, we’ll have discussion about those too! Everyone get out your monocles and your top hats! Panic disorder, also known as Panic Attack is a “sudden episode of extreme anxiety that rapidly escalates in intensity” and they are normally frequent and unexpected. Say for example, I see a clown on T.V. or in a magazine I could have a panic attack. Luckily that has never happened to me but I can’t be too careful. According to the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) you have to have four or more of the following for it to be considered a panic attack. But usually people can have all of the above. 
Reach the peak of the panic attack within 10 minutes. After that you start hyperventilating and feeling woozy and start seeing the room spin.
Pounding heart
Sweating
Shaking
Feeling smothered (This is what causes people to hyperventilate)
Chest Pain (A panic attack is often mistaken for a heart attack! Scary)
Upset stomach
Dizzy
Numbness
And finally chills or hot flashes. 
All of you fine people should be aware that id does have a tendency to run in families, and for the person who’s having the panic attack they kinda tend to think they’re dying so be nice. Here’s some more food for though: Agoraphobia is not the fear of leaving your house, it’s the fear of having a panic attack in a public place. Interesting.