Everyone gets a little anxious sometimes. However, millions of people in the U.S. have some form of anxiety, which is a mental health disorder. For you, anxiety isn’t just a little nervousness. Anxiety attacks overwhelm you and prevent a quality life. But the good news is that understanding the triggers of an anxiety attack can help you live a better experience with the condition. If you suffer from anxiety, a mental health treatment center in North Carolina may be able to help. To learn more, contact Red Oak Recovery® today.
1. Poor Diet
The foods you eat may reduce your body’s natural ability to manage stress. So commit to improving your diet better to manage triggers of an anxiety attack. A nutrition therapy program can help you determine how to improve your diet, based on your unique needs.
In addition, you might also notice that specific food triggers an event. For example, you may need to avoid caffeine or sugar. So consider keeping a food journal to see if you can identify food triggers of an anxiety attack.
3. Troubled Sleep
Cortisol is a hormone that the body produces to manage many of your body’s functions. But too much in the body makes you think and act in overdrive. Getting a good night’s sleep keeps cortisol levels low the next day. So apply strategies to get a better night’s sleep.
That can be easier said than done with an anxiety disorder. Try techniques like these before bed:
- 30-minute quiet time
- Consistent bedtime
- Meditating
- Gratefulness journaling
In addition, try to avoid screen time an hour before bed. Recent studies indicate that the blue light from your phone screen can reduce melatonin levels. In other words, your screens can make it more challenging for you to fall asleep.
4. Some Medications and Supplements
Whether prescribed or not, you may experience adverse reactions for things like:
- Weight loss
- Metabolism
- Coughs and congestion
- Hormones
- Smoking cessation
If you think these may be triggers of an anxiety attack, speak with your doctor about alternatives or adjusting how you take medicine. Drug and alcohol use may also contribute.
5. Negative Thinking Patterns
Do you obsess over worries about finances, family, or your health? Or maybe after an encounter with someone, you can’t stop thinking that you said something wrong.
These are only two examples of negative thinking patterns.
At the time, it may seem like you’re trying to solve a problem. But on the contrary, negative thinking patterns are destructive.
This one isn’t easy to fix. But cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may help. In part, it involves retraining your brain to focus on constructive thoughts and habits. When you do, you’ll realize there’s a lot more to appreciate in life than worry over.
6. Spending Too Much Time in Past/Future
What are you thinking about right now? If you have anxiety, chances are it’s something from the past you can’t change. Or it’s something in the future that may not happen. These triggers of an anxiety attack can paralyze you. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) or a course in mindfulness may help.
That’s because both of these approaches teach you to focus on your point of power in the present moment to lead a healthier, happier life.
Learning to Manage Your Triggers of an Anxiety Attack
Additionally, trauma, finances, and family troubles could trigger an attack. Everyone’s triggers are unique. So Red Oak Recovery® takes a holistic and individualized approach to manage your anxiety with programs like:
- Wilderness therapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- CBT
- DBT
- Nutritional Counseling
If panic attacks are controlling your life, it’s time to develop the skills to reclaim your happiness. Contact us at 866.457.7590 to learn more.
