So Exactly What Is A Panic Attack? A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear that comes without warning, and without any obvious reason.
These events are extremely frightening, but also are usually physically harmless episodes.
Once dismissed by the medical community as nerves or stress, it is now widely recognized as a real medical condition.
Panic attacks can be scary, and so bad that they get in the way of your daily activities.
Those of us suffering from this condition may also have an extreme fear of going crazy, losing control, or even dying during a panic attack.
Physical symptoms can include: Shaking or trembling; Feeling that your heart is pounding or racing; Sweating; Chest pain or discomfort; Shortness of breath; Feeling that you are choking; Nausea; Cramping; Dizziness or weakness; An out-of-body feeling; Tingling or numbness in your hands, arms, feet or legs; Chills or hot flashes, How Does A Person Get This Condition? It is widely believed that panic attack and anxiety disorder may be caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals, or a family history of panic disorder.
But experts aren't absolutely sure what causes panic attacks and panic disorder.
Is There A Reason Why Some People Have Panic Attacks? They develop because adrenalin, the hormone responsible for the "fight or flight" response to potential threats, is suddenly released into the bloodstream.
These attacks can also be caused by medical conditions and other physical causes.
It is thought that panic attacks develop when the Amygdala, an almond sized brain structure that has been linked to a person's mental and emotional state, sets itself to a higher than appropriate level of anxiety, thereby inducing a feeling of crisis in the sufferer within a fraction of a second.
The period from the teens or early adulthood is when this condition usually seems to appear.
Although scientific medical research has yet to determine the specific cause for panic attack, it has been linked to a variety of triggers, such as heredity; specific medical conditions; and dramatic life changing events.
Where Can I Go To Get Help? Since these stressful events are caused by inappropriate anxiety, treating the anxiety usually causes the panic attacks to fade away.
in dealing with the situational avoidance associated with panic attacks, behavioral therapy is also used.
If you have panic attacks, it is very important to seek medical care and discuss this problem with your doctor.
After you have been evaluated thoroughly, your doctor will be able to tell you if your panic attacks are related to panic disorder or are caused by another problem.
Simple treatments are available to help control panic attacks and panic disorder.
The combination of both counseling and medicine seems to be an effective treatment for the condition.
The usual recommendation includes A treatment period of at least 6 to 9 months.
Under the sponsorship of the National Institute of Mental Health and the Office of Medical Applications of Research, A conference was held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)in 1991.
During the conference, a panel surveyed the available information on panic disorder and its treatment.
The distinguished group concluded that treatment should be determined according to the individual needs and preferences of the patient, and that any treatment failing to produce a desirable effect within 6 to 8 weeks should be reassessed.
The two main treatments recognized for panic attack or panic disorder are psychotherapy and medication.
Many people have also found that diet can have a profound effect on their mood.
It is believed that proper nutrition may do wonders to help you in the treatment of your anxiety disorder and panic attack.
These events are extremely frightening, but also are usually physically harmless episodes.
Once dismissed by the medical community as nerves or stress, it is now widely recognized as a real medical condition.
Panic attacks can be scary, and so bad that they get in the way of your daily activities.
Those of us suffering from this condition may also have an extreme fear of going crazy, losing control, or even dying during a panic attack.
Physical symptoms can include: Shaking or trembling; Feeling that your heart is pounding or racing; Sweating; Chest pain or discomfort; Shortness of breath; Feeling that you are choking; Nausea; Cramping; Dizziness or weakness; An out-of-body feeling; Tingling or numbness in your hands, arms, feet or legs; Chills or hot flashes, How Does A Person Get This Condition? It is widely believed that panic attack and anxiety disorder may be caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals, or a family history of panic disorder.
But experts aren't absolutely sure what causes panic attacks and panic disorder.
Is There A Reason Why Some People Have Panic Attacks? They develop because adrenalin, the hormone responsible for the "fight or flight" response to potential threats, is suddenly released into the bloodstream.
These attacks can also be caused by medical conditions and other physical causes.
It is thought that panic attacks develop when the Amygdala, an almond sized brain structure that has been linked to a person's mental and emotional state, sets itself to a higher than appropriate level of anxiety, thereby inducing a feeling of crisis in the sufferer within a fraction of a second.
The period from the teens or early adulthood is when this condition usually seems to appear.
Although scientific medical research has yet to determine the specific cause for panic attack, it has been linked to a variety of triggers, such as heredity; specific medical conditions; and dramatic life changing events.
Where Can I Go To Get Help? Since these stressful events are caused by inappropriate anxiety, treating the anxiety usually causes the panic attacks to fade away.
in dealing with the situational avoidance associated with panic attacks, behavioral therapy is also used.
If you have panic attacks, it is very important to seek medical care and discuss this problem with your doctor.
After you have been evaluated thoroughly, your doctor will be able to tell you if your panic attacks are related to panic disorder or are caused by another problem.
Simple treatments are available to help control panic attacks and panic disorder.
The combination of both counseling and medicine seems to be an effective treatment for the condition.
The usual recommendation includes A treatment period of at least 6 to 9 months.
Under the sponsorship of the National Institute of Mental Health and the Office of Medical Applications of Research, A conference was held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)in 1991.
During the conference, a panel surveyed the available information on panic disorder and its treatment.
The distinguished group concluded that treatment should be determined according to the individual needs and preferences of the patient, and that any treatment failing to produce a desirable effect within 6 to 8 weeks should be reassessed.
The two main treatments recognized for panic attack or panic disorder are psychotherapy and medication.
Many people have also found that diet can have a profound effect on their mood.
It is believed that proper nutrition may do wonders to help you in the treatment of your anxiety disorder and panic attack.