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Panic Attacks

Panic Attack: Panic attacks present the sufferer with a group of extreme anxiety symptoms. The peak of a panic attack is reached relatively quickly but the symptoms can remain for quite some time before retreating.

Panic attacks are the extreme manifestation of anxiety and can occur only once or twice or become habitual if panic disorder develops. Panic attacks present the sufferer with a vast and sometimes disturbing group of symptoms, which reduce once the panic attack subsides.

Regina Weaver talks about her experiences with panic attacks.
video transcript

Summary:

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Panic Disorder

Panic disorder sufferers experience frequent panic attacks. Panic attacks can present a vast range of disturbing thoughts and symptoms but can also present between one and four pronounced symptoms; these are called 'limited symptom panic attacks'.

Panic attacks make the sufferer feel very vulnerable as the heart races and the thoughts of either going mad or dying wash over them.

Panic attacks develop because adrenalin, the hormone responsible for the fight or fight response to potential threats, is released into the blood stream. This hormone is very useful if and when it is required, but, when adrenalin is released during an anxiety disorder such as panic disorder, there is no 'real' threat present, so it is not used up by either running from or fighting the threat.

When adrenalin reaches a level in the bloodstream which the body can no longer handle, the body itself uses it up by causing a panic attack. As the heart races, breathing changes, circulation is affected and digestion slows down, to mention but a few effects. All of these changes work together to present the sufferer with a wide range of disturbing symptoms and thoughts.

After time, the adrenalin is used up and the panic attack subsides but the sufferer is left feeling depleted, scared and in fear of the next attack. This fear then creates more anxiety and the cycle continues causing a panic disorder to form.

Panic Attack Types

There are known to be three distinct types of panic attack:

Spontaneous Panic Attacks

Spontaneous panic attacks occur without warning or any specific catalyst. Spontaneous panic attacks are unpredictable and can present themselves at any time making it difficult for the sufferer to make social or work plans for fear of panicking.

Spontaneous panic attacks can present just a few symptoms in the case of 'limited-symptom' spontaneous panic attacks or can present the full gamut of possible symptoms, sensations and thoughts.

Specific Panic Attacks

Specific panic attacks present themselves as a result of being exposed to a specific catalyst or phobia. Many 'specific phobia' sufferers experience specific panic attacks when they are confronted with a spider, going on a plane or standing on a high place, for example.

Often, specific panic attack sufferers become withdrawn as a defence mechanism against exposure to the thing they most fear. Specific panic attacks often present milder symptoms as the sufferer becomes practised at withdrawing from those things they find most threatening.

Situational Panic Attacks

Situational panic attacks occur mostly amongst agoraphobia sufferers. Agoraphobia causes the sufferer to withdraw from geographic movement and, more specifically, those places where they feel most vulnerable. Often, agoraphobia sufferers will be accompanied by other people they trust in order to minimize the possibility of experiencing a panic attack.

Many panic attack sufferers find the confinement of an airplane or elevator too much to handle and will avoid such situations in order to prevent panic attacks. This is not always a practical solution to controlling panic, especially if you work on the top floor of a 20-storey building.

Panic Attack Symptoms

Panic attacks may present both physical and psychological symptoms, including:

Disturbed thoughts
Feelings of impending doom
Shortness of breath
Chest pains
Stomach cramps or diarrhoea
Racing heart
Dizziness or faintness
Tingling in the extremities
Muscle pains
Sweating
and many others...

In fact, the list can be very long indeed. These form the core or most commonly described panic attack symptoms a sufferer may experience. It is important to bear in mind that every one of us is built differently so these symptoms aren't going to be the same for every person.

After the peak of the panic attack has subsided, the sufferer can be left feeling weak, tired, confused, emotional and achy from their symptoms. It is not uncommon to feel fluey and shaky, this is all normal and will pass.

It is very important to understand that panic attack symptoms give the body a workout, like running or going to the gym. The aches and pains are inevitable side-effects! Actually, your heart is being strengthened by panic attack symptoms; the heart is a muscle and like any other muscle in your body and the exercise is good for it!

Panic Attack Treatment / Cures

Many doctors, psychologists and alternative therapists claim to be able to provide therapy and substances which can cure panic attacks. In order to address the root cause of anxiety and eliminate panic attacks, a solution must address the mechanism in the brain which stores and perpetuates the anxiety response which causes them.

Read more about Panic Attack Treatment / Cures

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