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Panic Attacks: Surviving the Unexpected
If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack , you’d know it. It is hard to describe the feeling of having one, but it is something similar to the feeling of suffocating or having a heart attack. Panic attacks can happen at any time, even while you are sleeping. The best thing you can do is learn to realize when you are having a panic attack and how to handle it when you are.
Symptoms of a Panic Attack
Most people who experience a panic attack feel like they are going to die. The symptoms of a panic attack mimic those for a lot of other afflictions, like breathing disorders and heart disease. Because panic attacks are not life-threatening, it is good to know the symptoms so that you don’t think you have something more serious.
Symptoms of a panic attack include:
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Rapid heart rate
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Tingling sensations
• A fear of dying
• A fear of losing control
• A feeling of imminent danger or doom
• Hot flashes or chills
• A need to escape
The symptoms of a panic attack typically last no longer than a few minutes, but are very intense. Panic attacks are also characterized by their sudden onset, with no way to control them, and a level of fear disproportionate to or unrelated to the situation. If you have experienced one panic attack you are likely to have another, so knowing how to handle an attack is worthwhile.
Causes of Panic Attacks
Though the exact causes of panic attacks are unknown, they are most likely the result of high levels of anxiety caused by experiencing a traumatic event, such as a major illness or post-traumatic stress disorder , or major life transitions like graduating from college or having a baby. Often, a panic attack will not have any obvious triggers, and will occur as a result of a build-up of anxiety or stress.
The likelihood of experiencing a panic attack also depends on your family history of panic disorder . If you have a genetic predisposition for the disorder, you will probably suffer from at least one panic attack during your lifetime.
Panic attacks usually start appearing during adolescence or in early adulthood. They are three times more common in women than in men, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.
Diagnosing Panic Disorder
Panic disorder should only be diagnosed by a professional, but one indication that you are suffering from the disorder is a persistent fear of having a future panic attack after you have experienced an attack. If you have had repeated panic attacks and are constantly afraid of having more, you should seek professional treatment from someone who specializes in anxiety or panic disorder.
Treatment of Panic Attacks
While they are unexpected, panic attacks are treatable using therapy and medication, often in tandem. Through therapy, you can learn to identify the triggers of your panic attacks and minimize their effect on you. An effective therapy regimen will help you treat your anxiety in the short term while diagnosing the long-term source of the problem. Often, you will be asked to face those situations that trigger your panic attacks so you don’t let them affect you in the future.
Medications are highly effective when it comes to controlling panic attacks. Anti-anxiety medications like Xanax and Ativan can provide relief during a panic attack Anti-depressants such as Prozac and Zoloft work to reduce anxiety and the frequency and severity of panic attacks. Heart medication may sometimes be prescribed to control irregular heartbeats. While medication alone can be effective in reducing your symptoms, it is best to undergo therapy at the same time.
Panic attacks can also be controlled through meditation and relaxation techniques. Your anxiety is most likely caused by a fear of having a panic attack instead of a specific object or event. Meditation and relaxation can help you learn to more calmly manage a situation instead of having it result in a full-blown attack.
For any of these techniques, it is vital to find a mental health professional that has experience treating anxiety or panic disorders. They will be in the best position to provide you the proper method of treatment to help you manage your panic attacks.
The Dangers of Going Without Treatment
If left untreated, panic attacks can lead to a number of disabling side effects. Most commonly, panic attacks can lead to phobias that prevent you from taking part in certain activities for fear of having an attack. According to the American Psychological Association, other side effects are:
• Increased depression and suicide risk
• Alcohol and substance abuse
• Financial difficulties
• Less physically and emotionally healthy
• Fear of leaving the house in order to avoid encountering situations that will cause an attack (agoraphobia)
Both recognizing the symptoms of panic attacks and receiving the appropriate treatment will help you turn a disabling condition into a manageable one.
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