What Causes Panic Attacks?

Panic attacks, also referred to as anxiety attacks, are fairly common. Although they are not a danger to your physical health they can be very scary and have the potential to disrupt your life. It is normal for people with this condition to wonder what is happening to them, why is it happening and what can they do about it? So what causes panic attacks and what should you do if you have one?

Panic attacks are not a physical illness, but rather a psychological one. As such it is hard to determine a single cause that applies to all people. It is generally accepted that there are several factors that can contribute to a person having a panic attack including stress, depression, phobias, a traumatic event and possibly even a genetic factor as well.

Whatever the cause, the end result is often the same. People with this condition typically experience an overwhelming fear which can occur for no apparent reason. The normal feeling of anxiousness that most people experience when perceiving danger malfunctions and can become not only unpredictable but also out of proportion to the situation at hand. This can make everyday activities that most people take for granted, almost impossible for people with anxiety.

It is important to seek help f you believe you have had a panic attack. If left untreated they do tend to reoccur and even get worse. To treat them, it is important that you first identify why they occur and what your triggers are. It is only when you understand the reasons why you have developed this condition that you can overcome it and live a fear free life.

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Panic Attack Symptom

Panic attacks, also known as anxiety attacks, can have many different symptoms. Being able to tell the difference between a panic attack and several other medical conditions that produce similar effects is not always easy. So how can you be sure if something is a genuine panic attack symptom or not?

Firstly it is normal to experience anxiety at times. It is only when the experience is out of proportion to the situation at hand that there may be a problem. If you find that feelings of anxiety are stopping you from performing everyday activities and affecting your daily routine then it is likely that you have an anxiety disorder and should see your doctor.

Even though the symptoms associated with a panic attack are often different for each person there are some that are commonly experienced by most sufferers. A racing heartbeat and chest pains are common as are a shortness of breath and dizziness. Many people report that they feel like they are going to die and that they have trouble concentrating and focusing on anything specific. You may also sweat excessively and feel fatigued.

As you can see these symptoms may all be associated with other physical illnesses so it is important to see your doctor so that other conditions can be ruled out. Once you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder you can focus on getting better as this is a condition that responds quite quickly to treatment.

The important thing is that you seek help if you believe that you have experienced a panic attack symptom. Left untreated, anxiety usually gets worse over time. There is nothing to be ashamed about if you have experienced an anxiety attack and you doctor can suggest a treatment that will help you overcome them.

Panic Attack Cure

If you have ever experienced a panic attack you understand what it is like to live in fear of having another one. You can never be sure when it will happen and it can even stop you from going out and doing the things you would normally do. For many people, panic attacks do get worse over time if left untreated so it is important that you seek some help as soon as possible. There are treatments available, however, finding a panic attack cure may not be as straightforward as you think.

Firstly, you need to realise that there is no single cure for your panic attacks. This is because the exact cause is not known although things like stress and even genetics may play a part. As a result, there are several methods of treatment that are used depending on the severity of the condition and how the patient responds to the treatment.

The three main treatments commonly used to treat panic attacks are psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy and medication. Pyschotherapy will provide you with support to help you overcome your fear. Cognitive behaviour therapy is recognised as the most effective method of treating panic attacks as it helps you address the thoughts or behaviour patterns that trigger or sustain an attack. It shows you how to use both muscle and breathing relaxation techniques to deal with your symptoms. Lastly, there are several medications commonly prescribed to patients suffering from a panic disorder, such as Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac.

The good news is that you can cure your panic attacks. The majority of people who seek help for their panic attacks find that it can take up to 6 to 8 weeks of treatment until they have overcome their symptoms. Whatever treatment you choose, the sooner you begin the sooner you can get your life back.

Panic Attack Treatment

It is important to remember that there is no definitive answer as to the cause of panic attacks. As a result, how the condition is treated may be different for each person as well. When deciding upon a panic attack treatment it is important that you understand the options available to you and that you are comfortable with the approach that your doctor is taking.

Firstly, not all people with this condition will end up on medication. In fact many people will experience great benefits from either behavioural or cognitive therapy. This is where you will have between 10 to 12 sessions with your doctor and you will to overcome your fears by identifying and then changing the thoughts and emotions that lead to your panic attacks. You should not feel ashamed or embarrassed at seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist. They are medical professionals who are there to help you overcome your problems and regain control of your life.

Depending on the severity of your condition sometimes medication is given to help minimize the symptoms associated with a panic attack. Common drugs prescribed include Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox and Paxil, however these are often given in conjunction with another form of therapy in order to achieve the desired result. It has been observed that patients who simply take medication can often find that their symptoms will return once they stop taking it.

The important thing to keep in mind is that there is help available and whatever panic attack treatment you choose is your personal decision. Taking any form of medication should be a last resort and should only be considered when you have understood the possible side effects, as well as how long you will need to take it for and how long a period of time before you will notice that it is working.

Panic Attack Help

If you have experienced panic attacks or have suffered from extreme anxiety then you understand how isolated these conditions can make you feel. It is important to get some type of counselling or assistance as no one needs to go through this alone. Panic attack help and support can be found in many places and it is recommended that you try several of them until you find one that you are comfortable with.

The first thing that you can do is to talk to a trusted friend or family member about what you are experiencing. Sometimes just being able to talk about your fears can bring some relief and it may also help to put them into a proper perspective.

Educating yourself about the condition can also be beneficial. Panic attack symptoms are scary and can often be mistaken for other illnesses so understanding what a typical panic attack is like for other people and what treatments are available can help. This can be done online or you could also go to your local library for information.

There are various government organizations that you can contact, anonymously too if you wish, to talk about your problems. Most will provide crisis line type phone numbers where you will be able to talk to someone who understands what you are going through and who will be able to provide you with further support if you need it.

Of course your general practitioner is an obvious choice for any health problem that you have. They can check to see whether there is any physical cause to your symptoms and if not may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for further diagnosis.

If you need help in dealing with your panic attacks please let someone know. It is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about and help is readily available. Imagine living your life without crippling fear or anxiety? It is possible.

Panic Attack Disorder

A panic attack disorder is characterised by a sudden overwhelming fear that has no obvious cause. Why people experience panic attacks is not always easy to discover but there is often a link with major or stressful life experiences and possibly even a genetic influence as well.

The symptoms experienced by people during a panic attack are the classic fight or flight responses that everyone feels when placed in a dangerous situation, only sufferers may feel them for no apparent reason. These include a racing heartbeat or chest pains, often mistaken for a heart attack, difficulty breathing, dizziness, trembling or sweating and an intense feeling of fear or terror.

It is difficult to determine whether you have a panic attack disorder and is certainly something that you should see a doctor about. Many of the physical symptoms can mimic other illnesses so these should be ruled out first. If there is nothing physically wrong with you your doctor should then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for a diagnosis.

There are several options available in the treatment of panic attacks including cognitive and behavioural therapies as well as medication. Behavioral therapy uses various techniques to stop or limit specific actions that can lead to panic attacks. Cognitive therapy however, teaches patients how to change the way they think and how to react differently to the situations and bodily sensations that trigger their panic attacks. Drugs are often prescribed to relieve the symptoms associated with a panic attack but they are not a cure.

A panic attack disorder is not something that you can fix by yourself. The good news is that those people who do seek treatment have a high chance of successfully overcoming this condition and leading normal lives.

Panic Attack Medication

If you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or panic attacks your doctor may discuss with you the option of treating your symptoms with drugs. The decision to use a particular panic attack medication is a personal one that should be made after careful research and consideration. There are five main types of drugs that are commonly used to treat panic attacks and anxiety including beta blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Beta blockers include atenolol (Tenormin) and propranolol (Inderal) and are helpful in controlling the physical symptoms of panic attacks such as trembling or a rapid heartbeat. They also produce fewer side effects when compared to other medications but can still cause drowsiness, insomnia, diarrhoea and short term memory loss.
Tricyclic antidepressants include imipramine (Tofranil), venlaxfaxine (Effexor), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (norpramin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl). These drugs are used to treat both depression and panic attacks and can cause constipation, weight gain, dry mouth, difficulty urinating and disturbed sleep patterns as side effects.
Benzodiazepines include chlordiazepoxide (Librium), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin) and oxazepam (Serax). They have proven to be effective in reducing the symptoms of panic attacks in over 70 percent of patients and can be taken for an extended period of time. Side effects include irritability, drowsiness, decreased libido and slurred speech.
MAOI’s include phenelzine (Nardil) and tranlcypromine (Parnate). Like tricyclic antidepressants they are also used to treat panic attacks as well as depression. They can produce weight gain, a dry mouth, low blood pressure and a disturbed sleep pattern as side effects.
SSRI’s include sertraline (Zoloft), fluvoxamine (Luvox), fluoxetine (prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil). They are the most recent type of panic attack medication and work by assisting the brain to maintain a higher level of serotonin, which is often low in people suffering from depression. Side effects include headaches, decreased libido, nausea and possibly agitation.
The decision to begin using any type of panic attack medication should not be made lightly. Many of these drugs will take a period of time before any benefit can be seen and will likewise need a certain period of time before you can stop using them. It is important to raise any concerns you have with your doctor before beginning any sort of treatment.

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• The Linden Method

  
  
  

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