A panic attack is usually a sudden unexpected episode of intense anxiety, which causes severe physical symptoms even when there isn’t any real threat or apparent cause for concern. Panic attacks, also known as anxiety attacks, can be extremely frightening. If panic attacks happen, you may feel like you are about to have a heart attack, losing control, having a nervous breakdown or dying. Most people have only one or two panic attacks throughout their lives, and this condition normally goes away when a certain stressful situation eases.
The symptoms of panic attacks may include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, trembling or shaking, chest pains, choking feeling or tightness, lightheadedness or dizziness, feelings of impending disaster or death, feeling faint or nausea, chills or hot flushes, hot flashes, stomach or digestive problems, tingling or numbness, choking sensations, fear or dread, choking or difficulty in breathing, sweating, numbness or tingling sensations, fear of losing control, chest pain or difficulty swallowing. Some patients may also experience chest pain with no apparent cause, and others may become afraid to speak because they are unable to breathe normally. One of the most common symptoms of panic attacks is that the person experiences a racing heartbeat. This symptom may be present in some patients even when they are not experiencing panic attacks.
Medications, such as anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants or beta blockers, may help in controlling the symptoms of panic attacks but not cure them. In fact, in most cases, medications only provide temporary relief from the symptoms. The individual may also be prescribed additional medications if the initial ones are not working. However, self-help tips can help the patient find alternative ways of coping with panic attacks. Some of these tips include the use of alternative treatment methods such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy, relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation, herbal remedies, self-hypnosis, biofeedback and psychotherapy.
There are many reasons why people may feel anxious or scared. Some of these may include personal loss, traumatic events such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, job stress, financial difficulties and relationship concerns. These issues usually lead to a phobic avoidance pattern in which the individual avoids situations that they believe will trigger an attack. When they are faced with situations that they perceive to be stressful or traumatic, their anxiety response involves physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, shortness of breath, numbness in the hands and feet and other such symptoms. People who suffer from panic attacks may feel anxious even when they are completely aware of the reality of what is happening around them.
Panic disorder can often be triggered by major changes in a person’s life. When a person faces major changes in their environment or lifestyle, their emotional response includes physical symptoms. Caffeine intake and other stimulants can increase the level of fear and anxiety felt due to these major changes. One example of a major change that can lead to panic attacks and phobia is the birth of a baby.
Phobias such as fear of swimming and fear of airplanes can often lead to panic attacks. This is due to the fact that the intense feelings experienced during a panic attack can become intense as soon as the individual feels that they are about to have another panic attack. People who suffer from this disorder will feel an intense feeling of fear as if the next panic attack will lead to death. This extreme level of fear may prevent the individual from being able to avoid the situation that causes them fear or may prevent them from being able to leave the safety of their home if they are alone.
One way to control this disorder is to reduce the level of stress and anxiety symptoms that are experienced during the onset of panic attacks. A good way to do this is to make sure that everyone in the household is aware of the situation that causes the extreme level of fear, as well as a plan as to how to best deal with it. This means that taking care to ensure that there is enough rest and sleep for everyone in the family, since sleep and rest are the bodies own way of dealing with extreme anxiety symptoms. Eliminating caffeine from the diet is also a great way to control anxiety symptoms.
Another thing that can cause panic attacks is excessive exercising. When the body is over exhausted from intense exercise it experiences symptoms such as fear and sweating. Individuals should attempt to maintain a balanced exercise routine in order to reduce these symptoms, since overusing exercise can often lead to even greater symptoms. Once these symptoms are under control, it is important to take a look at other stressors in the life that could be causing the individual to have panic attacks, such as work stress or relationship stress.