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.

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.

Apart from a form of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that can be used in the short term to make sufferers more aware of their fears, help change their thinking patterns and use a gradual exposure to their situations that cause their anxiety, there are certain medications that prove helpful in treating these disorders. Social anxiety disorder medications come in different forms and one of the most useful has been found to be selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and is usually the first choice of medical practitioners. They are a class of antidepressant and have been trialled using different compounds.

Learning how to overcome agoraphobia is not difficult once the disorder is understood and anxiety levels are lowered, the difficulty lies in rationalizing the fears and anxiety and the execution of methods and treatments some of which may seem extreme.

Overcoming agoraphobia can be a long drawn out process, as just as it took a long periods of anxiety to cause a person to suffer with agoraphobia is may take some time to reverse these effects. It will also depend on the severity of the condition and naturally the earlier the anxiety treatment begins the easier it will be. Obviously because the sufferer is mostly housebound getting to appointments with medical practitioners or psychologists is difficult.

The good news is that you don’t have to let anxiety rule your life. You can control it and live happily and normally. The first step you should take it visiting your doctor. Your doctor will likely do a few tests to be sure your anxiety is not something stemming from a health issue, such as a hormone imbalance. If your tests are normal, your doctor will want to talk to you about medication or therapy.

Remember, just because you are being treated for anxiety doesn’t mean you are weak or strange. You are just being responsible enough to deal with your problems. Having anxiety does not define you. Just as those with other problems, are not defined by those problems alone.

When you find the right treatment for you, you will have to put in the work. When you choose to take your meds every day or make your therapy appointments without fail, you will notice changes. Your anxiety will lessen and you will be able to live your life happily. Find support around you and decide that you are tired of living with anxiety and that you want to change for the better!

To help your friends and family understand what you are going through, you may want to bring them a brochure or book they can read through. Simply reading through these materials might help them see why you act the way you do. There are even books specifically for the family of those with anxiety that can help them know what to do and how to react.

If you cannot make your friends and family understand and support you, then don’t feel bad. There are other ways to find support for your anxiety. For instance, you can find support groups. If you would rather not attend a support group in person, you can find them online. Online support groups are great for people with anxiety, because they are truly anonymous in most aspects. Seek out groups that you feel would help you and give them a try.

When you find the support you need, you will find that you can deal with your anxiety better when you have people surrounding you that are helping you too!

One way many people choose to control their panic attacks is through medication. Your doctor can work with you to choose a medication for your specific type of panic. The difficult part will be finding a dosage and type that works best for you. Many people must try three or more medications until they find one that really helps without the bothersome side effects. The side effects of anxiety medication can be quite difficult to deal with. However, once you find a good one for you, medication can do wonders for your level of anxiety.

In addition to taking meds for your panic attacks, you might want to find the route of your anxiety. Some people have had things in the past happen to them that might have created a sense of panic in them. Even something as simple as your parents divorcing can cause anxiety in you later in life. So, seeing a therapist to try to talk through some underlying issues is also a great idea for you to try.

Remember, avoiding the situations that give you panic is fine, unless doing so seems to disrupt a normal routine and lifestyle. For instance, if you are terrified of sky diving and it gives you panic then absolutely avoid it! However, if you are afraid of going to the grocery, you might want to seek help.

Rapidly Beating Heart

One of the most common symptoms of anxiety is a rapid heart beat or chest pains. Many people initially think they are having heart problems or a heart attack. However, upon examination they may find out they were only having a panic attack. If you are having these pains or irregular heart beats, you should have it checked out. However, if nothing is found you will know the next time it happens that it is only anxiety.

Lightheaded

Another common symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness. This is a symptom that makes many people feel as if they will pass out. Their blood pressure is usually rising, due to the anxiety attack, which can make them feel lightheaded. In addition, if they are breathing rapidly, they could be causing themselves to hyperventilate.

Sweaty Palms

A less bothersome symptom of anxiety is profuse sweating. When someone gets nervous, they may start sweating. Often times this can be quite embarrassing for people. Some people will feel nauseous because they are having symptoms similar to a hot flash.

So, much like someone who is claustrophobic would be afraid of elevators because they feel closed in, a person with agoraphobia is afraid of being trapped or closed in by social situations.

There are many symptoms that those with agoraphobia may experience. Most of the time the initial symptom they get when they feel as if they cannot escape quickly, is panic. Just with any other panic attack, the person might feel that their heart is beating differently, they may feel flushed, may be lightheaded, may cry, or may feel tingles in their body. Many people will have twitching or other symptoms as well.

Usually these symptoms only occur when the patient is in a difficult situation or are anticipating a difficult situation. People with agoraphobia usually change their lifestyle and routine to avoid the places in which they feel these symptoms altogether. So, they may drive ten miles out of their way to a store they feel comfortable shopping in and so on.