Those who have at some stage in their lives been stricken by anxiety know that it can be crippling.
Friends and family advise their loved ones to pull themselves together and cope with their fears, but actually coping is only a temporary treatment for dealing with the varied symptoms of anxiety.
These include physical symptoms such as sweating, chest pain, palpitations which one could mistake for a cardiac disease, to abdominal pain and nausea, mimicking a gastrointestinal problem, to neck and shoulder pain.
Insomnia and panic attacks too are manifestations of anxiety.
The usual medications prescribed by a doctor, or those seen advertised on TV for such conditions are usually anti-depressants to help elevate the mood, or tranquilizers to calm one down.
Often beta-blockers are prescribed to control the physical signs of anxiety.
After an initial trial most people would prefer to avoid taking medications because of harmful side effects or perhaps a very valid fear of dependency.
Rather than adopting a short-term approach, the only hope of curing this malady finding out the root causes of an anxiety attack.
When you feel you are succumbing to anxiety attacks often try and talk out your inner fears and worries.
Sometimes we just need let off steam, and a good friend or a support group can help you then.
Counselors and therapists are experienced people who can understand anxiety attack and can put you ease and help you deal with feelings of impending doom or other obsessive thoughts.
Some commonsense measures should be used.
In fact more and more people believe simple dietary measures can help you overcome anxiety naturally.
These include staying hydrated by drinking at least six 8 ounce glasses of water every day.
A hearty breakfast every morning raises energy level and helps you through a long day.
A balanced diet with more fruit and vegetables not help you stay physically and mentally healthy.
For protein a moderate amount of meat should be added.
Have comfort foods like potatoes, pasta and rice sensibly.
These complex carbohydrates balance the blood sugar levels.
Certain foods like chocolate are mood boosters.
Avoid alcohol, even though it initially relaxes or stimulates, after a few drinks it can act as a downer.
Again one has to remember the potential for addiction.
Endorphins are natural mood elevators and the best part is that they are produced by your own body.
So the double benefit of exercising is a toned fit body and freedom from anxiety attacks.
Many followers of yoga claim it makes them calm and utterly without fear.
Choose to read positive, cheerful books.
Watch a funny movie on a DVD or a light sitcom on TV can push away negative thoughts and fears.
Best of all is to do something creative as the guru of psychoanalysis, Freud, claimed the cause of depression was stifled creativity Take time off from your stressful job; take a holiday to recharge your batteries.
Consider a break and follow a therapeutic course like the increasingly popular Linden Method which helps to break the cycle of fear and anxiety.
Adopt sensible problem-solving techniques as it is these unresolved problems that create worry in the first place.
Increasing worry causes anxiety symptoms.
Therefore take care of issues like health and finances, set your mind at rest and do not fall into the trap of increasing anxiety attacks.