Finding valuable tips for panic attacks and learning helpful information about handling these episodes of anxiety are two great ways of coping with the frustration that often accompanies the troubling and sometimes mysterious disorder.

What exactly is a panic attack?

The average panic attack lasts about 10 to 15 minutes before starting to subside, although some symptoms may last far longer for some people. Usually beginning with a sense of uneasiness that may quickly evolve into a feeling of dread, panic attacks may cause a host of debilitating physical symptoms.

When a person develops anxiety in response to having a panic attack, and is continually worried about the possibility of another episode or losing control of their emotions, they are said to have a panic disorder.

As opposed to other types of panic disorders, panic attacks appear suddenly, and usually without notice or warning, although many people eventually can sense when they are about to experience a bout with anxiety or irrational fears.

The Most Common Symptoms of Panic Attacks

Often occurring for no obvious reason, the most common symptoms of panic attacks may include:

• A racing heartbeat, or pounding sensation in the chest
• Nausea and or digestive upset
• Chest pains, feeling pressure in the chest
• Difficulty breathing or feeling suffocated
• Numbness or tingling in the hands
• Feeling dizzy and or lightheaded
• Feeling flushed or having chills
• Feeling disconnected or having dream-like sensations
• An unexplained sense of terror or impending doom
• A fear of losing control in public or the fear of doing something embarrassing
• An irrational fear of dying

What are the typical causes of panic attacks?

For most people, a panic attack is brought on or triggered by a specific fear, phobia, or chronic anxiety. However, there are some cases that are caused by certain physical conditions or illnesses, while still others will never have an apparent source or cause for their episodes.

Some physical conditions that may cause panic disorders include diabetes, menopause, pregnancy, puberty, high blood pressure, too much caffeine, alcoholism, or drug addiction.

Regardless of their cause, panic attacks are thankfully a treatable disorder with as many as 90% of people reporting relief after receiving some method of treatment, whether it be medication or a combination of behavioral techniques.

Tips for Dealing with Panic Attacks

Depending on the severity and frequency of panic attacks, there are several ways of reducing or even stopping them from occurring. Unfortunately, many people suffer needlessly, never reporting their symptoms to their doctor or healthcare provider or seeking out treatment. Although not a life-threatening condition, panic attacks rarely disappear on their own and may continually get worse over time if left untreated.

Medication, including anti-anxiety or anti-depressant drugs are beneficial for treating panic disorders, along with avoiding illegal drugs, alcohol, and caffeine. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which means getting enough sleep, following a well-balanced diet, avoiding stress, and regularly exercising are all excellent ways of keeping stress at bay and reducing anxiety.

Behavioral therapy is another way of dealing with anxiety disorders and may involve techniques such various methods of relaxation, using visual imagery, deep breathing, or positive affirmations. Support groups, for those who seek the camaraderie of talking with people who have experienced similar feelings, and individual therapists are other ways of coping with the effects of anxiety and panic attacks.

Over the years many drugs have been used in these anti depressants some forms causing long term dependency combined with unpleasant side effects. One of the first drugs formally approved by the Food and Drug Administration was paroxetine which was sold under the trade name as Paxil, but the results later studies into the efficiency of this drug and the sometimes dangerous side effects lead to much debate. Fluoxetine has been developed and a study completed in 2004 showed marked improvement in over 55% of patients studied. There are often side effects to SSRIs that are felt while the body adjusts to these drugs and are experienced during the first few weeks of taking the medication. These are likely to include headaches, insomnia, nausea and often changes to sexual behavior. It is still unclear how safe these drugs are to take during pregnancy. Also in the later part of 2004 it was thought there may be a link between SSRIs and juvenile suicide which lead to the Food and Drug Administration issuing a statement warning doctors and parents on this potential danger. Although, given the nature of social anxiety disorders, persons taking SSRIs are unlike to have suicidal tendencies at all.

Other forms of social anxiety disorder medications include other forms of antidepressants called monoamine oxiddase inhibitors (MAOIs) which have been found in some case to be a superior form of medication to SSRIs but due to dietary restrictions required whilst taking this medication, high toxicity in overdose and the fact that it is incompatible with many other drugs its use is severely limited. As an alternative to SSRIs, Benzodiazepines are a short acting, more potent drug which is often used for short term relief. The long term use of this medication has raised concerns regarding development of drug tolerance and recreational abuse being common. Medications commonly used to treat high blood pressure called beta-blockers, taken in low doses have been found to be helpful for short term use as well and taken before a function or social gathering this drug can mask anxiety symptoms.