Many people claim that after years of hiding their panic attacks, they discovered siblings and/or parents who also suffered from the same condition. Often when a family member seeks help and begins to feel better, they will tell someone in their family about it.

When family members become aware that a sibling has received treatment that worked, they will come forward and get help, also. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma attached to anxiety disorders, which explains why hereditary studies aren’t always conclusive. People feel they should be able to “cope” and they don’t consider anxiety a mental illness that needs treatment but see it as a personal failing, something they are to blame for themselves and they feel very ashamed, alone and isolated.

Let’s say that you are aware that anxiety can be hereditary, but there is no trace of it in your family. There are lots of other causes of someone developing an anxiety disorder. A major stressful event in life can be a trigger. Here are some common examples:

• Grief : Death of a family member, parent, close friend or spouse.
• Financial Difficulties : Sudden loss of a job, debt burdens.
• Major trauma : A car accident, being robbed at gunpoint, a major natural disaster, a life-threatening illness, having lived through a war
• Happy Events (still stressful, nonetheless): getting married, starting a family or a new job.

Some people can pinpoint a major life event that could be the emotional seed that grew into anxiety problems. Others will dismiss the possibility because it’s been years since the stress occurred, but experts believe stress build-up can affect someone much later in life.

While it is true that anxiety can be hereditary, it can strike anyone, at any age, for many other reasons. If there does seem to be a lot of anxiety disorders within your family, however, you should probably assume that you are at risk, and perhaps takes steps to prevent it in yourself.

The first thing is to manage your stress and have regular “time out”. Don’t take on too many commitments, learn to say no. Learn to pace yourself, eat healthy foods, stay away from coffee, sweets, lollies and alcohol. Go to Yoga classes and learn breathing and relaxation techniques.

Often students of mine who suffer from anxiety attacks have what I would call a “high maintenance nervous system”. It is a nervous system that (for whatever reason) is not robust and breaks down at the slightest hint of stress. Knowing that, they have have to be proactive  and maintain their nervous system well. Regular relaxation, Yoga classes, good diet, enough sleep are some the basic things a nervous system like that requires. Want to find out more?

I recently wrote a very detailed book explaining  stress and stress management entitled: “Get The Tigers Off Your Back”. This book is written from my own experience, knowledge and training I had over many years. It will help you enormously in dealing with anxiety because anxiety and stress are very closely linked.  One of my relaxation audios is included as a bonus as well.

Have a look here:  

http://stretchyourmindandbody.com/blog/tools-to-balance-your-mind/tigerebook

Till next time

Connie

Your Yoga Partner

from

http://www.yogainahurry.com