Personal Debt and Dealing with Panic Attacks

In these very uncertain economic times that are now upon us, there is collateral emotional fallout that often goes unspoken - Panic. Anxiety can be a huge byproduct of personal financial stress, and learning techniques for dealing with panic attacks is something worth exploring. Somewhere along the line in our society as a collective whole we transitioned from being a people that were financially stable and emotionally secure, to a people deeply indebted and emotionally bankrupt. There are ways to combat these shifts of paradigm.

Being maxed out on credit cards, close to foreclosure and slipping more behind financially each month is becoming a national past time. We could try to make sense of how or why this is happening, but that may only add more fuel to an already raging anxiety fire. Anxiety, stress and panic attacks can easily go hand in hand with messy personal finances. The good news is that everyone has within themselves the ability to not only control their finances, but also how they will choose to feel about it.

What are some of the common sensations and feelings encountered when dealing with panic attacks? Some people say they feel as if they are smothering and finding it difficult to breath. While others say they believe they are going crazy, or having a heart attack. But perhaps the centerpiece emotion during the onset of anxiety, stress or panic is that all encompassing "I feel like I'm losing control" notion. Attacks can be recurring and typically last several minutes, but can be much longer in duration. We've all been there at one time or another in our lives, at some level.

Many times during an anxiety/panic attack a person will report sensations of fear emanating from deep within their stomach. These sensations are even more magnified by pronounced heart palpitations, shortness of breath and a state of overall confusion. This debilitating emotional event is very real and should not go left unchecked. The first thing anyone having these symptoms should always do is seek the services of a primary healthcare professional. Only a health professional can give you the final word on what is happening to you. Financial troubles are very real and can be dealt with, but your health should always be your first concern.

Having financial stress is mentally demanding enough by itself, but toss into the mix a series of panic attacks and you have a real mess on your hands. The first thing to understand and realize is that we live in a digital world with regards to finances. In this digital world most of your personal finances, your 401k, stocks, etc. are just bits of digital data on a computer server somewhere, that's it. So, getting emotionally sick over bits of data on a computer somehow, seems quite silly.

For example, there comes a time when financially you have no choice but to stop paying your credit card bills. Ok, feels good at first, but then the annoying calls start coming. What can you do? Panic? Well, did you know that you can send the debt collector a "cease and desist" order by mail or fax, and presto, no more calls. Next, you will get what is called a "dunning letter" which basically tells you that you have 30 days to dispute the debt. Most everyone will toss this important letter in the trash. That will ultimately lead to the creditor getting a default judgment against you. Try researching the "Fair Debt Collection Practices Act" (FDCPA) online, which will empower you with a wealth of information on how best to respond to communications from the creditor or debt collector.

Most people avoid seeking help for anxiety. Be smart; put your health first when dealing with anxiety. There are many treatments, therapies and programs out there that can help you, but you must take the first step and seek out the one best suited to your needs. By just becoming proactive and better-informed and learning new techniques such as meditation or yoga you could quite possibly find within yourself a whole new you. A new you free of panic, stress, anxiety - a new you that you'll like more than ever. You are the key to your own better health, as you have always been.

This informative article on dealing with panic attacks brought to you by MyAnxietyAttackSymptoms.com