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Depression / Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Anxiety And Panic Attacks
Panic can take shape in many different ways and no two people who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks wil experience them in the same way.Panic attack symptoms mostly include symptoms of high anxiety such as:
Shortness of breath
Racing heart
Shaking
Dizziness
Sweating
Symptoms can also include:
Distorted thoughts
Aggression
Digestive problems
What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is a severe attack of anxiety and fear which occurs suddenly, often without warning, and for no apparent reason. In addition to the anxiety, various other symptoms may also occur during a panic attack. These include one or more of the following:
Palpitations or a thumping heart.
Sweating and trembling.
Hot flushes or chills.
Feeling short of breath, sometimes with choking sensations.
Chest pains.
Feeling sick.
Feeling dizzy, or faint.
Fear of dying or going crazy.
Numbness, or pins and needles.
Feelings of unreality, or being detached from yourself.
The physical symptoms that occur with panic attacks do not mean there is a physical problem with the heart, chest, etc. The symptoms mainly occur because of an 'overdrive' of nervous impulses from the brain to various parts of the body during a panic attack.
During a panic attack you tend to hyperventilate. If you over-breathe you 'blow out' too much carbon dioxide which changes the acidity in the blood. This can then cause more symptoms such as confusion and cramps, and make palpitations, dizziness, and pins and needles worse. This can make the attack seem even more frightening, and make you over-breathe even more, and so on.
A panic attack usually lasts 5-10 minutes, but sometimes they come in 'waves' for up to two hours.
At least 1 in 10 people have occasional panic attacks. If you have panic disorder it means that you have recurring panic attacks. The frequency of attacks can vary. About 1 in 50 people have panic disorder.
If you have panic disorder, you may fear that you are going to die during an attack and these will make the symptoms even worse.
What causes panic attacks?
Panic attacks usually occur for no apparent reason. The cause is not clear. Slight abnormalities in the balance of some brain chemicals may play a role. This is probably why medication can be very effective. Anyone can have a panic attack, but they also tend to run in some families. Stressful life events such as bereavement, divorce, family problems can trigger a panic attack.
Dealing with a panic attack
To ease a panic attack, or to prevent one from getting worse:
breathe as slowly and as deeply as you can. Concentrate on breathing.
breathe into a paper bag. By doing this you re-breathe your own carbon dioxide. This helps to correct the blood acid level that had been upset by over-breathing which makes symptoms worse .
What is the treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder?
No treatment is needed if you have just an occasional panic attack. Anyone can get them at stressful times in your life. If you have on one the morning of your wedding don't think that you will always suffer. It may help if you understand about panic attacks. Treatment can help if you have recurring attacks (panic disorder). The main aim of treatment is to reduce the number and severity of panic attacks. Speak to your GP about breathing techniques and otehr help that is available.
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