Despite their superstar status and larger-than-life personalities, the rich and famous are not immune to phobias or having intense fear. By being as prone to fear and anxiety as the rest of us, they reveal how normal they can be.
These celebrities have fears that hound millions of other non-celebrities. What do these celebrities fear the most?
Michael Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jennifer Aniston share the same fear of flying. Orlando Bloom is scared of pigs and Johnny Depp is afraid of clowns. Nicole Kidman is afraid of butterflies. And would you believe that Pamela Anderson is afraid of mirrors?
Celebrities and non-celebrities can break out into panic attacks whenever they encounter that which they fear the most. While it is common to be just uncomfortable about facing a certain fear or scary situation, there are some cases when the fear can be so overwhelming that it causes total panic.
What is a panic attack? A panic attack is a sudden intense fear followed by an overwhelming feeling of danger. It is often accompanied by anxiety, sweating, rapid breathing, and rapid heart beat. Panic attacks are sudden and unprovoked. It can even worsen into a debilitating condition that pose a devastating impact on a person's family, work, and social life. An attack can occur at anytime and it can interfere with day-to-day activities. An untreated panic disorder can possibly lead to substance abuse, depression and, in rare cases, even suicide.
Panic disorders can develop during the teen years or early adulthood. People with panic disorder have this dreaded fear of danger or terror and it could repeat without warning. It is far more intense than the feeling of simply being 'stressed out'. A panic attack includes:
- Trembling
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Chest pains
- Hot flashes
- Racing heartbeat
- Light-headedness
- Fear that you are going crazy or about to die
People who have full-blown, repeated attacks can be psychologically disabled by their condition and should seek treatment. They should also avoid places or objects that could trigger another panic attack. A panic attack is not dangerous, but it can be terrifying, largely because it creates a feeling of being 'out of control' on the part of the person who is suffering from it.
Only a licensed therapist can diagnose a panic disorder. Occasional bouts with worry and moderate levels of anxiety are still considered normal. However, panic attacks that occur more than four times in a row is a sign that a person is under extreme psychological stress. Persons who experience frequent, debilitating panic attacks should immediately seek the assistance of a mental heath professional.
Most insurance plans and health management organizations (HMOs) provide coverage that includes treatment for anxiety disorders. To make treatment more effective, people with panic disorders are advised to join a support group or undergo sessions with a psychiatrist. Even something as simple as talking to a trusted friend, a loved one, or a church counselor can do wonders. Stress management techniques and meditation can help people with such disorders. Regular exercise can also have some calming effect on a person saddled with worries.
Getting Help for your Panic Attacks and other Anxieties
Are you having trouble getting rid of your panic attacks and other anxiety related problems? It is not easy to manage your anxieties, however here are some techniques a person can use to help conquer their panic attacks and other anxiety related symptoms.
The first step is that you should talk to a professional who can get you started in the right path of getting better. Getting help from a counselor or other professional is very important and can provide you much help and insights in dealing with your current problem.
A good way to manage your anxiety is to challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make your fearful or anxious, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense.
When overwhelmed with worry, a person may encounter a lot of scary thoughts coming at them all at once. Instead of getting upset, remember that these thoughts are exaggerated and are not based on reality. From my interviews with various professionals, I’ve learned that usually it is the fear behind the thoughts that gets us worked up. Ignore the fear behind these thoughts, and your worry should decrease.
Sometimes, we get stressed when everything happens all at once. Instead of taking it out on someone else a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get your mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. This mental timeout can help you refocus on your current situation.
Another thing to remember is that things change and events do not stay the same. For instance, you may feel overwhelmed today with your anxiety and feel that this is how you will feel the rest of the week or month. This isn’t correct. No one can predict the future with 100 Percent accuracy. Even if the thing that you feared does happen there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which can be used to your advantage.
As a Layman I realize that experiencing a panic attack is scary. The next time it happens remember to apply some of these techniques you recently learned. The key is to be patient and not to give up. In time, you will be able to cope with your panic attacks.
Reference: ZIP Articles