by Almondie Shampine

Created on: May 27, 2008   Last Updated: May 28, 2008

Panic attacks are a sudden and intense fear that something terrible is about to happen, which leads to the body's automatic fight or flight response. This onset of stark terror can occur randomly without any or little provocation in the most harmless of surroundings and lasts from five to ten minutes. However, reoccurring panic attacks, one triggered by the other, can last for hours.

SYMPTOMS OF A PANIC ATTACK
Sudden tremendous fear that something bad is going to happen or the person is going to die
Rapid racing heartbeat
Tightness of chest/chest pains
Breathlessness/Hyperventilation
Trembling/shaking
Sweating/hot flashes/cold flashes
Dizziness/vertigo/lightheadedness/headaches
Nausea/Stomach cramps or pain
Tingling in fingers/toes/spine
Choking/Difficulty breathing
Paralysis induced by the terror
Feeling of claustrophobia
Temporary blindness
Failure of body parts/feeling like the body is shutting down
Ringing in ears
Weakness or limpness of body
Loss of cognitive ability to react logically to stimuli
Racing/Irrational thoughts
Feeling disassociated from self/surroundings, like nothing is real
Feeling out of control/unable to control self
Tunnel vision
Heightened senses
Dream-like sensations or perceptual distortion

CAUSES OF PANIC ATTACKS/TRIGGERS
Genetic pre-disposition
Women are twice as likely than man
An underlying disorder such as anxiety disorder
Recall of a prior panic attack via a particular situation or unrelated physical symptoms, such as rapid heart-beat, that resemble those symptoms of a panic attack
Stimulant, Psychoactive drugs, as well as Anti-anxiety or depressants
Stress, anxiety, lack in sleep, severe fatigue or exhaustion
Stressful life events or major life transitions
Stressful engagements that can cause anxiety such as public speaking

SIDE EFFECTS OF PANIC ATTACKS

Panic attacks can evolve into panic disorder marked by the persistent fear of future panic attacks which can result in phobias toward those situations that brought on the initial panic attack and situational avoidance as a preventative measure to future attacks. Severe cases can lead to the development of agoraphobia or fear of going outdoors. Panic Attacks can deprive a person of mental, emotional, and physical well-being, financial means, and general quality of life. Some studies have indicated that older women suffering from panic attacks or a panic disorder are at a higher risk for heart attack and/or stroke.

TREATMENT

A combination of cognitive and behavioral therapies are effective in the treatment of panic attacks or panic disorder. Cognitive therapy will inform the person as to exactly what they're dealing with, and cognitive restructuring' is a means to replace faulty thoughts and potential triggers to panic attacks with more positive and realistic thoughts. It also helps the person identify with the triggers, the major one being the fear of the panic attack itself. Interoceptive exposure in behavioral therapy desensitizes a patient by literally inducing a panic attack and talking them through it, allowing them to become less sensitive to those physical bodily symptoms that can trigger panic attacks or that result from a panic attack. Relaxation techniques are also useful in enabling the patient to calm their breathing which can induce more symptoms of a panic attack. In some instances, medication may be needed, such as an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety prescription. A support group also allows for effective treatment.

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