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A panic attack is a brief period of extreme fear that results in strong physical symptoms despite the absence of any real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be terrifying. When you have a panic attack, you may believe you are losing control, having a heart attack, or even dying.
Many people have one or two panic attacks throughout their lives, and the condition resolves itself, possibly when a stressful circumstance ends. However, if you've had recurring, unexpected panic attacks and spent long periods of time terrified of another attack, you may have panic disorder.
Although panic attacks are not life-threatening, they can be terrifying and have a substantial impact on your quality of life. However, treatment can be extremely effective.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PANIC ATTACKS?
Panic attacks usually start suddenly and without notice. They can happen at any time, whether you're driving a car, shopping at the mall, sleeping, or in the middle of a business meeting. You may get panic episodes on occasion or on a regular basis.
Panic attacks can manifest in a variety of ways, but symptoms often peak within minutes. After a panic attack, you may feel tired and exhausted.
Some of the signs or symptoms of a panic attack are as follows:
- a sense of impending catastrophe or danger
- Fear of losing control or dying
- Heart rate is racing and thumping.
- Sweating
- Shaking or trembling
- Shortness of breath or throat tightness
- Chills
- Flashes of heat
- Nausea
- Cramps in the abdomen
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or faint
- Feelings of numbness or tingling
- Unreality or a sense of alienation
One of the most distressing aspects of panic attacks is the great anxiety of having another one. You may be so afraid of panic attacks that you avoid circumstances where they are likely to occur.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF PANIC ATTACKS OR DISORDER?
It is unknown what causes panic attacks or panic disorder, although the following elements may be involved:
- Genetics
- Extreme stress
- A temperament that is more sensitive to stress or is more prone to unpleasant emotions.
- Changes in the way some regions of your brain work
Panic attacks can strike quickly and without warning at first, but they are frequently caused by specific situations over time.
According to some study, panic episodes are caused by your body's normal fight-or-flight response to danger. If a grizzly bear charged at you, your body would react automatically. As your body prepared for a life-threatening circumstance, your heart rate and breathing rate would increase. In a panic attack, many of the same reflexes occur. However, it is uncertain why a panic episode arises when there is no visible danger.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF PANIC ATTACKS OR DISOSRDERS?
Panic disorder symptoms typically appear in late adolescence or early adulthood and affect more women than males.
The following factors may raise the likelihood of acquiring panic attacks or panic disorder:
- Family history of panic attacks or a panic disorder.
- A loved one's death or significant sickness, for example, is a major source of life stress.
- A traumatic occurrence, such as a sexual assault or a major accident
- Significant changes in your life, such as a divorce or the birth of a child
- Tobacco use or high caffeine consumption
- A history of physical or sexual maltreatment as a child
HOW IS PANIC ATTACKS DIAGNOSED?
Your health care practitioner will decide whether you have panic attacks, panic disorder, or another ailment with symptoms similar to panic attacks, such as heart or thyroid problems.
You may have the following to aid in determining a diagnosis:
- A thorough physical examination
- Blood tests to evaluate your thyroid and other probable disorders, as well as cardiac testing like an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- A psychological evaluation to discuss your symptoms, anxieties, or concerns, stressful situations, interpersonal issues, scenarios you may avoid, and family history.
You can take a psychological self-assessment or fill out a questionnaire. You may also be questioned about your usage of alcohol or other drugs.
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIAS FOR DIAGNOSING PANIC DISORDER?
Panic disorder does not affect everyone who gets panic attacks. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides the following criteria for a diagnosis of panic disorder:
- You have unexpected panic episodes on a regular basis.
- At least one of your attacks was followed by a month or more of ongoing worry about having another attack; ongoing fear of the consequences of an attack, such as losing control, suffering a heart attack, or "going crazy"; or major behavioral adjustments, such as avoiding circumstances that you believe would set off a panic attack.
- Your panic attacks aren't the result of drug or alcohol abuse, a physical ailment, or another mental health problem like social phobia or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
You can still benefit from treatment if you have panic attacks but no identified panic disorder. If panic attacks are not addressed, they can worsen and progress to panic disorder or phobias.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR PANIC ATTACKS OR DISORDER?
Treatment can help reduce the severity and frequency of your panic episodes, as well as enhance your everyday functioning. Psychotherapy and drugs are the primary treatment choices. Depending on your preferences, your history, the severity of your panic disorder, and whether you have access to therapists who have special training in treating panic disorders, one or both types of treatment may be advised.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, often known as talk therapy, is regarded as a first-line treatment for panic episodes and panic disorder. Psychotherapy can assist you in understanding panic attacks and panic disorder, as well as learning how to cope with them.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy, can help you understand from your own experience that panic episodes are not dangerous. Your therapist will guide you through the process of gradually recreating the symptoms of a panic attack in a safe and repetitive manner. When the bodily sensations of fear no longer feel dangerous, the attacks begin to subside. Treatment that is effective can also assist you in overcoming anxieties of situations that you have avoided due to panic attacks.
It can take time and effort to see results from treatment. Within a few weeks, you may notice a reduction in panic attack symptoms, and symptoms frequently drop dramatically or disappear entirely within a few months. You can make appointments for maintenance visits to help ensure that your panic episodes are under control or to manage recurrences.
Medications for panic attacks
If you suffer from panic attacks or depression, medications can help alleviate your symptoms. Several medications have been demonstrated to be beneficial in treating panic attack symptoms, including:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): SSRI antidepressants are frequently advised as the first choice of drugs to treat panic attacks since they are generally safe and have a low risk of major adverse effects. SSRIs approved by the FDA for the treatment of panic disorder include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), and sertraline (Zoloft).
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): These drugs belong to a different class of antidepressants. Venlafaxine (Effexor XR), an SNRI, has been licensed by the FDA for the treatment of panic disorder.
- Benzodiazepines: These sedatives depress the central nervous system. Alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam are two benzodiazepines approved by the FDA for the treatment of panic disorder (Klonopin). Because benzodiazepines can be habit-forming, developing mental or physical reliance, they are normally only administered on a short-term basis. If you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse, these drugs are not a good fit for you. They can potentially interact with other medications, resulting in serious side effects.
If one medicine isn't working well for you, your doctor may suggest switching to another or mixing certain medications to increase effectiveness. It is important to remember that it can take many weeks after starting a drug to detect an improvement in symptoms.
All drugs have the possibility of side effects, and some may be contraindicated in particular circumstances, such as pregnancy. Discuss potential side effects and dangers with your doctor.
Home remedies and lifestyle
While professional treatment is recommended for panic attacks and panic disorder, the following self-care measures can help you manage symptoms:
- Maintain your treatment plan: It can be difficult to confront your concerns, but treatment can help you feel like you're not a hostage in your own house.
- Participate in a support group: Joining a support group for those suffering from panic attacks or anxiety disorders might help you connect with others who are dealing with similar issues.
- Caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs should all be avoided: All of these factors can precipitate or intensify panic attacks.
- Use stress-reduction and relaxation practice: Yoga, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation, which involves tensing one muscle at a time and then totally releasing the tension until every muscle in the body is relaxed, may also be beneficial.
- Get some exercise: Aerobic exercise may help to improve your mood.
- Get enough sleep: Get enough sleep to avoid feeling tired during the day.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF PANIC ATTACKS OR DISORDER?
Panic attacks and panic disorder, if left untreated, can have a negative impact on practically every aspect of your life. You may be so frightened of experiencing further panic attacks that you live in continual fear, destroying your quality of life.
Complications caused or connected to by panic attacks include:
- Specific phobias, such as a fear of driving or leaving your house, can develop.
- Frequent medical attention for health issues and other medical situations
- Aversion to social circumstances
- Work or school-related issues
- Depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental disorders
- Suicidal ideation or suicidal behaviour.
- Misuse of alcohol or other drugs
- Financial issues
For certain people, panic disorder may be accompanied by agoraphobia, which is the dread of being unable to leave or seek treatment if they experience a panic episode. Alternatively, you may become dependant on people to accompany you when you leave the house.
HOW TO PREVENT PANIC ATTACKS OR DISORDER
There is no foolproof strategy to avoid panic attacks or panic disorder. These suggestions, on the other hand, may be useful:
- Get care for panic attacks as soon as possible to prevent them from worsening or becoming more regular.
- Maintain your treatment plan to avoid relapses or worsening of panic attack symptoms.
- Engage in frequent physical activity, which may help to reduce anxiety.
CONCLUSION
Panic disorder is frequently a chronic ailment that is difficult to treat. If you've had several panic attacks and have a chronic dread of them recurring, you may have panic disorder.
Although you may not be able to completely "cure" your panic disorder, treatment can assist. Therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), attempting to reduce life stressors, and taking medication are all possible solutions.
Panic disorder typically begins in one's early twenties, and studies suggest that it affects women more than males. A pre-existing anxiety problem can raise your chances of having panic attacks and developing panic disorder.
Try to be aware of any anxiety symptoms that arise after a major life event. If you are concerned by something you witnessed or were exposed to, talk to your primary care physician or a mental health expert about it.
Panic disorder is treatable and manageable. There is assistance available, and you are not alone.