Am I Having a Panic Attack?

Although there are a variety of treatment options for panic attack disorder, before an individual engages in one particular form, he or she should consult their physician. Communicating with a doctor about the frequency and severity of their attacks will allow the doctor and the patient to choose the most effective form of therapy. For example, the patient and doctor may wish to first try holistic alternatives. These alternative “medicines” often include supplemental vitamins and minerals or herbal medications. Certain herbs, like St. John’s Wort or Kava Kava, are known to have a relaxing effect on the central nervous system. Specific vitamins, like Vitamin B’s, promote the development of a healthy immune system, which may allow an individual’s body to more ably deal with the physical effects of panic attacks.

Therapy is the second most common form of panic attack disorder treatment. For example, behavioral therapy is designed to loosen the connections between a troublesome situation and how an individual physically reacts to the stimulus. A common example would be the fact that when a person has a panic attack, their first instinct is generally to run from the site of the attack. Rather than immediately fleeing the site, behavioral therapy would teach an individual techniques to calm their mind and their emotions, rather than giving into impulsive behaviors. When an individual can think clearly, he or she can make more rational decisions about their courses of action.

Cognitive therapy, which is another common form of therapy treatment for panic attack disorder, differs from behavioral therapy in that it teaches a person how certain thinking patterns can enhance and antagonize the symptoms of their disorder. Because these emotions are distorted, they provide an individual with an irrational manner of thinking. Gaining control over the cognitive aspects of a panic attack can lead to an increased amount of confidence, a more positive outlook, and a less frequent occurrence of the panic attacks. Cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy are often merged together to form a hybrid of the two types, which is known as cognitive behavioral therapy. This hybrid form of therapy is often used in conjunction with short-term medications to achieve the most effective results for sufferers of panic attacks. The short-term medications alleviate the immediate symptoms of the attacks, which allows a person to have time to master the finer techniques used in the therapy.

Q. Are panic attacks life threatening?

A. The symptoms associated with panic attacks, like accelerated heart beat, chest pains, and rapid breathing are mistaken for those of a heart attack or stroke. The feelings of panic that a person experiences can convince them that they are “dying” or are about to suffer mortal harm. In reality, these feelings are the body’s emotional response to the increased levels of adrenaline in a person’s body. While a panic attack is unpleasant at best, it rarely produces lasting, harmful effects.

Q. What are the symptoms of a panic attack?

A. Panic attacks are primarily characterized by sudden, inexplicable bouts of intense fear. When a person is experiencing stress in their lives, the symptoms can become intensified. Other common symptoms of panic attacks include chest pains, heart palpitations, difficulties breathing, and feelings of dizziness and lightheadedness. The gauntlet of symptoms is different for each individual, and these other symptoms can range from a fear of death to intestinal issues to chills or hot flashes.

Q. What does the research on panic attacks say?

A. The National Institute of Mental Health is one of the primary researchers in the field of panic attacks and its symptoms. Their current research is focused the role that genetics may play in the development of panic attacks. There are also a plethora of new drugs that being researched in clinical trials. Furthermore, ongoing studies are focusing on the role that life experience plays in the intensity of panic attacks.

Q. How does panic attacks affect a person’s life?

A. The manners in which panic attacks affect a person’s life vary for each individual. Because panic attacks can occur at anytime or anyplace, an individual may develop avoidance syndrome as they attempt to avoid places where attacks have occurred. In more severe cases, an individual might develop agoraphobia. Since an individual can encounter attacks at any moment, a patient often encounters raised levels of stress in their general lives.

Despite the frequency or severity of an individual’s attacks, it is important for this person to bear in mind that this condition is not their fault. The exact causes of panic attack disorder are undetermined, and the symptoms most often begin in late adolescence or early adulthood. With proper treatment and medication, an individual can lead a normal and productive life. Panic attack disorder does not have to define a person’s life.

Because the specific triggers for panic attacks often go undetermined, an individual who frequently suffers from them lives in constant fear of when the next one will occur. This persistent fear actually places an individual at an elevated risk for incurring another attack. The emotional feelings that a panic attack provokes in a person can often lead them to avoid certain social gatherings or settings. For example, if a person were to suffer a panic attack while driving in a car, he or she may encounter residual anxiety that prevents them from comfortably driving or riding in a car again. The lack of transportation can impact their lives in a variety of manners. The same principle can be applied to those who have panic attacks in grocery stores, workplaces, restaurants, or other frequented public locations.

Unfortunately, individuals who suffer from panic attacks are placed at an elevated risk for engaging in risky or destructive activities as they attempt to self medicate themselves. For example, if the attacks are severe and frequent enough, a person is at an elevated risk for engaging in alcohol or drug abuse. Similarly, these individuals also have a higher rate of attempted suicide than their unaffected counterparts. Due to the time and expense that are invested in emergency room visits, they may become financially dependent upon friends or family members. Because they may not feel emotionally or physically well, they are also less likely to engage in hobbies, sports, or other beneficial activities.

As aforementioned, in the most extreme cases, untreated panic attacks can cause a person to develop “situational avoidance”. Situational avoidance can potentially lead to the development of agoraphobia, which is substantially more difficult to treat. The fear of a panic attack becomes so debilitating that an individual would rather remain shuttered away in their home. Despite the seriousness of panic attack disorder, it is important for a person to bear in mind that even if they have suffered one or two panic attacks, they do not necessarily have panic attack disorder. The primary symptom of this disorder is a perpetual dread of when the next attack will occur. However, if this symptom applies to an individual, he or she should seek professional, medical treatment.