Panic attack is a period of intensive fear that is often abrupt and is often a sign of mental and emotional distress.
In some individuals they appear without apparent cause and most often the distressed individual reports loosing control of oneself. Often they are provoked or triggered by a sense of trying to escape from someone or from the place where the attack started. Although in normal cases, the individual when subjected to a stimulus often resorts to a fight syndrome as a form of protection, in panic attacks, the individual employs the flight syndrome. Often episodes of panic attack come with chest pain and shortness of breath with a tunnel vision even after seeking medical advice or attention.
Panic attack is different from other anxiety disorders because of its sudden intensity and its occurrence in individuals. Often panic attacks are psychological conditions but may not be a sign of a mental disorder. At least in normal individuals, a panic attack may occur in a year particularly in persons with anxiety and phobias. As a result of a triggering factor, they are often short-lived and will subside once the triggering factor is eliminated. In some individuals exposed to a panic attack, one attack may trigger another leading to a nervous breakdown.
Scientific studies point out to the imbalance of serotonin and norepinephrine as the culprits in the incidence of panic attacks where the neurological function is subjected to a chemical imbalance. Often genetics play a role in the disorder and has been found to run in families.
Common symptoms include trembling, palpitations, and shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation and tingling sensations. Others develop a sense of being choked or smothered. In repeated and unprovoked panic attacks a sign or manifestation of a panic disorder may ensue. However panic attacks are also associated with other common anxiety disorders like in persons with phobias whose exposure to their feared object or scenario trigger an attack.
Panic attacks are potentially disabling, but it can be controlled. The various symptoms of a panic attack are often mistaken as a cardiac attack or a life-threatening medical illness. This misconception often increases the incidence of future panic attacks. People often submit to the hospital emergency rooms when they are having a panic attack, and extensive medical tests are performed to rule out other conditions, which creates further anxiety.
Treatment for panic attacks includes medications and psychotherapy. Normally the mental health practitioners assisting you in the treatment of panic disorder are psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. To submit for a medical treatment for panic disorder however, one should visit a psychiatrist. Psychotherapy may be provided by a clinical or counseling psychologist. Medications can also be used to break any psychological connection between a specific phobia and panic attacks.
Common medications prescribed are antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs in anticipation or during a panic attack.
Some psychologists believe that usual exposure to the phobia trigger with medical assistance can often break the phobia-panic pattern, allowing people to gradually adjust to the stressor without the help of medications. However, minor phobias that develop as a result of a panic attack can be prevented without medication through behavioral therapy or simply by assisted exposure.
Under a combination of therapy and medications, the best results are often seen. For some, a fair improvement may be noticed in a short period of less than 8 weeks. Finding the right pair of medications and mental health professional takes more effort. Appropriate treatment by an experienced professional can often prevent panic attacks or at least reduce its severity and frequency.
Other panic attacks caused by an underlying emotional problem like depression, alcoholism and drug addiction are more frequent in people with panic disorder. The underlying problem needs to be treated before the total panic disorder is completely or at least partially eliminated.
Most less severe and less recurrent attacks submitted to the emergency rooms are advised to breath in paper bags to help boost the carbon dioxide levels in the body.
Posts Tagged ‘Panic Attack’
What is Panic Attack
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009Stop, Panic Attack! – An FAQ
Monday, December 28th, 2009
Susan Willis asked:
Panic attacks can strike at any time or any place. For people who are prone to them, they can rule their lives. For those who have had more than one panic attack, the fear that another will occur can be debilitating. Here is an FAQ on stopping panic attacks.
FAQ #1: What does a panic attack feel like?
A: During a panic or anxiety attack you can feel a range of feelings, both mental and physical. You may feel that the world is closing in on you. You might feel dizzy. Your heartbeat will likely be much, much faster than usual. You might feel a tingling in your chest. You may sweat. You may want to lie down and at the same time lose your ability to concentrate. Also, an acute fear of dying accompanies the panic attack for some people. Caution: If you do have a panic attack, be sure to remove yourself from a situation whereby you might be of a danger to others (such as driving a car).
FAQ #2: What causes panic attacks?
A: Physiologically, panic attacks usually involve an excess of adrenaline suddenly entering into your system, in combination with a number of other related factors going on in your body. The precise cause of panic attacks is still under study, but the cause does seem to vary from person to person. Some panic attacks seem to come on unexpectedly. Other may be triggered by a traumatic event, such as a car accident. Still others might be situation-specific, whereby the attack is triggered after a certain pattern of circumstances arises for the individual.
FAQ #3: Are panic attacks common?
A: Yes. The Merck Manual indicates that about one-third of adults experience a panic attack each year. Some people, however, have these attacks more frequently and can experience them many times in a given year or month.
FAQ #4: Should I avoid situations that cause them?
A: The common wisdom seems to be that eventually you should try to face situations that tend to trigger your panic attacks so that you can overcome them as triggers for the attack. However, this should be done with caution since you do not want to unnecessarily put yourself through a panic attack. Ask your doctor about this.
FAQ #5: How can I stop one?
A: Stopping a panic attack is not easy. In fact, they can seem to feed on themselves, whereby the more you try to control one the more it takes control. Panic attacks are difficult to stop sometimes because the attack itself causes a series of negative mental states in the person having the attack. Those negative mental states in turn keep the body (e.g., the adrenal glands, sweat glands, heart, breathing, etc.) in an agitated state. This vicious cycle can often be broke by relaxing, doing breathing exercises, and creating positive thought patterns to counter the negative mental activity that the attack can create.
Panic attacks can be one of the scariest experiences but do not always seem to have an obvious cause. This mysterious quality can actually make them even more feared, thereby making them harder to overcome when they do occur. Be sure to take control and do not let your panic attacks run your life. There are ways to overcome them.
Panic attacks can strike at any time or any place. For people who are prone to them, they can rule their lives. For those who have had more than one panic attack, the fear that another will occur can be debilitating. Here is an FAQ on stopping panic attacks.
FAQ #1: What does a panic attack feel like?
A: During a panic or anxiety attack you can feel a range of feelings, both mental and physical. You may feel that the world is closing in on you. You might feel dizzy. Your heartbeat will likely be much, much faster than usual. You might feel a tingling in your chest. You may sweat. You may want to lie down and at the same time lose your ability to concentrate. Also, an acute fear of dying accompanies the panic attack for some people. Caution: If you do have a panic attack, be sure to remove yourself from a situation whereby you might be of a danger to others (such as driving a car).
FAQ #2: What causes panic attacks?
A: Physiologically, panic attacks usually involve an excess of adrenaline suddenly entering into your system, in combination with a number of other related factors going on in your body. The precise cause of panic attacks is still under study, but the cause does seem to vary from person to person. Some panic attacks seem to come on unexpectedly. Other may be triggered by a traumatic event, such as a car accident. Still others might be situation-specific, whereby the attack is triggered after a certain pattern of circumstances arises for the individual.
FAQ #3: Are panic attacks common?
A: Yes. The Merck Manual indicates that about one-third of adults experience a panic attack each year. Some people, however, have these attacks more frequently and can experience them many times in a given year or month.
FAQ #4: Should I avoid situations that cause them?
A: The common wisdom seems to be that eventually you should try to face situations that tend to trigger your panic attacks so that you can overcome them as triggers for the attack. However, this should be done with caution since you do not want to unnecessarily put yourself through a panic attack. Ask your doctor about this.
FAQ #5: How can I stop one?
A: Stopping a panic attack is not easy. In fact, they can seem to feed on themselves, whereby the more you try to control one the more it takes control. Panic attacks are difficult to stop sometimes because the attack itself causes a series of negative mental states in the person having the attack. Those negative mental states in turn keep the body (e.g., the adrenal glands, sweat glands, heart, breathing, etc.) in an agitated state. This vicious cycle can often be broke by relaxing, doing breathing exercises, and creating positive thought patterns to counter the negative mental activity that the attack can create.
Panic attacks can be one of the scariest experiences but do not always seem to have an obvious cause. This mysterious quality can actually make them even more feared, thereby making them harder to overcome when they do occur. Be sure to take control and do not let your panic attacks run your life. There are ways to overcome them.
about panic attacks when I get my haircut?
Friday, December 25th, 2009
The last coupe of times when I went to get a haircut, I started to have panic attacks. I started feeling dizzy and start to shake bad. I went to the doctor over the weekend and the doctor gave me some alprazolam. I am going to get a haircut tommorrow morning. I am going to take it before I go. Should I tell the person that cuts my hair about my condition? Has anybody ever expereniced this before having a panic attack when they where to get a haircut?
Cure Panic Attack
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
Juliet Cohen asked:
Panic disorder is a common condition in which a person has episodes of intense fear or anxiety that occur suddenly. Panic attacks can indicate the presence of panic disorder, depression, or other forms of anxiety-based illnesses. A panic attack typically lasts for several minutes and is one of the most distressing conditions that a person can experience. Panic attacks can occur at any time, even during sleep. An attack generally peaks within 10 minutes, but some symptoms may last much longer. At least 1.7% of adult Americans, or about 3 million people, will have panic attacks at some time in their lives. Panic attacks may be symptoms of an anxiety disorder. These attacks are a serious health problem in this country. About 5% of the population will experience panic attacks during their lifetimes. There also appears to be a connection with major life transitions such as graduating from college and entering the workplace, getting married, and having a baby. Severe stress, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or job loss can also trigger a panic attack.
More women than men are affected by panic attacks. Some people are affected by frequent panic attacks, a condition known as panic disorder. A panic attack is a response of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The most common symptoms may include: trembling, dyspnea(shortness of breath), heart palpitations, chest pain (or chest tightness), sweating, nausea, dizziness (or slight vertigo), light-headedness, hyperventilation, paresthesias (tingling sensations), sensations of choking or smothering. Many of the symptoms that occur during a panic attack are the same as the symptoms of diseases of the heart, lungs, intestines or nervous system. The similarities between panic disorder and other diseases may add to the person’s fear and anxiety during and after a panic attack. Heredity, stress and certain biochemical factors may play a role. Several medicines can make panic attacks less severe or stop them altogether. Paroxetine (brand name: Paxil) and sertraline (brand name: Zoloft) are antidepressant medicines that have been approved by the U.S.
Medications from the beta blocker family (for example, propranolol) are sometimes used to treat the physical symptoms associated with a panic attack. Antidepressants are very effective in preventing anxiety and panic attacks. Antidepressants will not make you lose control or change your personality. These medicines can be used for as long as necessary, even for years. Alprazolam and clonazepam (brand name: Klonopin) are also medicines approved by the FDA to treat panic disorder. These medicines give relief from fear and anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps people learn to deal with panic symptoms, using techniques like muscle and breathing relaxation. Antidepressants, such as Tofranil, often help reduce anxiety and the frequency and severity of panic attacks. Psychotherapy offers support and helps to minimize the fearfulness of symptoms, and sometimes is sufficient to clear up the disorder.
Panic Attack Treatment Tips
1. Alternative treatments like meditation and relaxation therapy are often used to help relax the body and relieve anxiety.
2. Psychotherapy offers support and helps to minimize the fearfulness of symptoms, and sometimes is sufficient to clear up the disorder.
3. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps people learn to deal with panic symptoms, using techniques like muscle and breathing relaxation.
4. Antidepressants, such as Tofranil, often help reduce anxiety and the frequency and severity of panic attacks.
5. Benzodiazepines – These anti-anxiety drugs act very quickly.
6. Antidepressants have been shown to reduce or eliminate panic attacks.
Panic disorder is a common condition in which a person has episodes of intense fear or anxiety that occur suddenly. Panic attacks can indicate the presence of panic disorder, depression, or other forms of anxiety-based illnesses. A panic attack typically lasts for several minutes and is one of the most distressing conditions that a person can experience. Panic attacks can occur at any time, even during sleep. An attack generally peaks within 10 minutes, but some symptoms may last much longer. At least 1.7% of adult Americans, or about 3 million people, will have panic attacks at some time in their lives. Panic attacks may be symptoms of an anxiety disorder. These attacks are a serious health problem in this country. About 5% of the population will experience panic attacks during their lifetimes. There also appears to be a connection with major life transitions such as graduating from college and entering the workplace, getting married, and having a baby. Severe stress, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or job loss can also trigger a panic attack.
More women than men are affected by panic attacks. Some people are affected by frequent panic attacks, a condition known as panic disorder. A panic attack is a response of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The most common symptoms may include: trembling, dyspnea(shortness of breath), heart palpitations, chest pain (or chest tightness), sweating, nausea, dizziness (or slight vertigo), light-headedness, hyperventilation, paresthesias (tingling sensations), sensations of choking or smothering. Many of the symptoms that occur during a panic attack are the same as the symptoms of diseases of the heart, lungs, intestines or nervous system. The similarities between panic disorder and other diseases may add to the person’s fear and anxiety during and after a panic attack. Heredity, stress and certain biochemical factors may play a role. Several medicines can make panic attacks less severe or stop them altogether. Paroxetine (brand name: Paxil) and sertraline (brand name: Zoloft) are antidepressant medicines that have been approved by the U.S.
Medications from the beta blocker family (for example, propranolol) are sometimes used to treat the physical symptoms associated with a panic attack. Antidepressants are very effective in preventing anxiety and panic attacks. Antidepressants will not make you lose control or change your personality. These medicines can be used for as long as necessary, even for years. Alprazolam and clonazepam (brand name: Klonopin) are also medicines approved by the FDA to treat panic disorder. These medicines give relief from fear and anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps people learn to deal with panic symptoms, using techniques like muscle and breathing relaxation. Antidepressants, such as Tofranil, often help reduce anxiety and the frequency and severity of panic attacks. Psychotherapy offers support and helps to minimize the fearfulness of symptoms, and sometimes is sufficient to clear up the disorder.
Panic Attack Treatment Tips
1. Alternative treatments like meditation and relaxation therapy are often used to help relax the body and relieve anxiety.
2. Psychotherapy offers support and helps to minimize the fearfulness of symptoms, and sometimes is sufficient to clear up the disorder.
3. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps people learn to deal with panic symptoms, using techniques like muscle and breathing relaxation.
4. Antidepressants, such as Tofranil, often help reduce anxiety and the frequency and severity of panic attacks.
5. Benzodiazepines – These anti-anxiety drugs act very quickly.
6. Antidepressants have been shown to reduce or eliminate panic attacks.
How to reduce panic attacks after Smoking Marijuana?
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Can you help me? What are the techniques to put your mind on relaxation while having a panic attack? Please don’t give me stupid answers and stop pretending you care about my health and you will say ” don’t do drugs” because you don’t know me.. I just want some advices… Best answer 10 Points!! Thanks 
Taxi Panic Attack
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009nalts asked:
Don’t make fun of me. You’ve had this experience too. You were just a little more quiet and you didn’t roll it on tape.
Do panic attacks have any positive effects on the heart/cardiovascular system of the sufferer?
Saturday, December 12th, 2009
whiteshell1000 asked:
For month in someways just curious.
For month in which each attack does panic attack lasted 1520 minutes would the elevated heart rate 120 bpmduring the attack lasted 1520 minutes would the cardiovascular system due to the attack does panic attacks once day for month in which each attack lasted 1520 minutes would the elevated heart rate 120 bpmduring the cardiovascular system due to the.
panic attacks
For month in someways just curious.
For month in which each attack does panic attack lasted 1520 minutes would the elevated heart rate 120 bpmduring the attack lasted 1520 minutes would the cardiovascular system due to the attack does panic attacks once day for month in which each attack lasted 1520 minutes would the elevated heart rate 120 bpmduring the cardiovascular system due to the.
panic attacks
Seizures OR Panic Attacks? How Can You Really Tell The Difference?
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
Jamie Z asked:
Before I start, I know some seizures don’t always make you fall to the ground and sometimes you might not even really know its A seizure. So Thats exactly why im asking this question.
Before I start, I know some seizures don’t always make you fall to the ground and sometimes you might not even really know its A seizure. So Thats exactly why im asking this question.
Almost once every day, Out of no where I get really nervous and my hands start to tingle (Pins and needles) and my mouth gets very dry. I shake and my hands get ICE cold. When this happens I can’t sit still and I keep shaking my hands to try to get that numbness feeling away. Sometimes my heart races and sometimes it dosn’t. Now though, I don’t think it is anxiety because im calm when it happens and my heart really dont pound as long as I stay calm. I also feel confused and detached when these ‘Attacks’ happen.
I heard these are some symptoms of A seizure and also A Panic Attack. How do you really know the difference?
Im scared that im going to die from A seizure or something even worse.
I also notice, these attacks happen 10x Worse the day after I drink alcohol. So I dont drink at all anymore
Additional Details
27 minutes ago
SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. I FEEL ALONE, SCARED AND STRESSED OUT.
was this an anxiety attack?
Saturday, November 21st, 2009
i already posted this a week ago but i am still concerned and paranoid..about a week ago my middle finger on my left hand felt stiff, like it cramped/seized up. it didnt go away so i started gettign a little nervous and my whole arm felt this numb feeling, and in my neck and head. it felt a little weak, it felt like i couldnt flex my msucles on that side b.c it was numb. it felt liek i was shaking or about to lose control of my body it was really scary. does this sound like an anxiety attack?
well i called 911 and they said that they thought iw as having a panic attack but they didnt give me any tests or anytihng, and during it i did feel very afraid and i was hyperventaliting
Is there anything besides medication that can help with panic attacks and anxiety?
Saturday, November 14th, 2009
I have been having panic attacks for over a year now. Although I have not had a panic attack for a while because I have been on medication specifically lexapro. I have been dealing with anxety problems off and on as well. The medication has helped a lot but I really don’t like how it affects some things in my life, like my sex drive. I wanted to see if anyone knew of an alternative way to help me so I can discontinue the meds.
