When a person has sudden overwhelming fear and anxiety they are having what we call a panic attack (PA). The heart will pound and they find it hard to breath. They can feel dizzy and feel like they are going to vomit. Sometimes they feel like they will dye. If (PA) are not treated they can escalate into other problems and panic disorder. Severe cases can cause a person to withdraw from everyday activity. With treatment you can take control of your life once again and eliminate or reduce the symptoms.
Cynthia's story
Cynthia first had a (PA) about six months ago. When she had this attack she was in her office getting ready for an important meeting. Without any advanced notice she felt a very intense feeling of fear. After this she was feeling sick and felt as if she would vomit. Cynthia's heart was pounding and she was finding it hard to breath, her body was also shaking uncontrollably. After several moments the the attack had passed and she was feeling better. Cynthia became deeply worried about this as nothing like this had ever happened to her before.
Cynthia first had a (PA) about six months ago. When she had this attack she was in her office getting ready for an important meeting. Without any advanced notice she felt a very intense feeling of fear. After this she was feeling sick and felt as if she would vomit. Cynthia's heart was pounding and she was finding it hard to breath, her body was also shaking uncontrollably. After several moments the the attack had passed and she was feeling better. Cynthia became deeply worried about this as nothing like this had ever happened to her before.
About two weeks later Cynthia had her second (PA). From then on her attacks started happening more and more often. Cynthia is never sure when her next (PA) will come or where she will be. Out of a deep fear of having an attack while in public, Cynthia has been going home after work and staying there. Cynthia has also developed places she avoids such as elevators. She is not afraid of elevators just of having a (PA) while on one.
A (PA) can come on at any time with out warning. Most of the time there is not a reason for the (PA). Panic attacks can even occur when your relaxing or sleeping. (PA) can happen just one time or they can be something that happens repeatedly. Most people who suffer from (PA) have them repeatedly. Many times (PA) that are recurring, are triggered by a specific situation. These triggers can be things like high places, public speaking or riding in a car. This can be especially true if the situation has caused a (PA) in the past. Most of the time the (PA) comes on when you feel like you are in danger or cannot escape. You can have one or two panic attacks in your life and besides that you live a normal life. Sometimes (PA) can happen in association with panic disorder and depression. Whatever you may think, this is treatable. Many techniques have been developed to help deal with the symptoms.
Some of the symptoms of the onset of a panic attack
Most (PA) occur when you are not at home. You can have (PA) virtually anyplace - driving, at a party, taking a shower, at the grocery store.
Most (PA) occur when you are not at home. You can have (PA) virtually anyplace - driving, at a party, taking a shower, at the grocery store.
The symptoms of a (PA) come on quickly and with very little warning. Most (PA) will be at there worst about ten minutes into them and be over in about twenty or thirty minutes. It is very rare for a (PA) to last more then one hour. A complete full panic attack can combine some or all the symptoms listed below.
Hyperventilation or being short of breath
Pounding or racing heart
Pain or discomfort in the chest
Shaking and trembling
Feeling like you are choking
Feeling like you are not connected or detached from your surroundings
Perspiration
Feeling like you are going to vomit
Feeling lightheaded or faint
Tingling sensations in your limbs
Hot and / or cold flashes
Afraid you could dye or losing control
Pounding or racing heart
Pain or discomfort in the chest
Shaking and trembling
Feeling like you are choking
Feeling like you are not connected or detached from your surroundings
Perspiration
Feeling like you are going to vomit
Feeling lightheaded or faint
Tingling sensations in your limbs
Hot and / or cold flashes
Afraid you could dye or losing control
A panic attack can feel like a heart attack.
Symptoms of a (PA) tend to be physical and sometimes these can be so bad, that people think they are having a heart attack. It is not uncommon for people who have panic attacks to make trips to the doctor, because they think they are having a heart attack. It is very important to have any possible problems checked out, but do not overlook the possibility of a panic attack.
Symptoms of a (PA) tend to be physical and sometimes these can be so bad, that people think they are having a heart attack. It is not uncommon for people who have panic attacks to make trips to the doctor, because they think they are having a heart attack. It is very important to have any possible problems checked out, but do not overlook the possibility of a panic attack.
Lots of people will experience a panic attack without ever having another one or any complications. Do not worry if you have had only one or two (PA). Be aware that if panic attacks persist you are most likely developing panic disorder. Panic disorder is having several, repeated panic attacks. Panic attacks combined with constant anxiety and changes in your behavior is most likely panic disorder.
Some symptoms of panic disorder
You have frequent, sudden and unexpected panic attacks that are not related to a specific situation.
You worry a lot about having more panic attacks.
You are changing your routine because of the panic attacks, such as avoiding place you had a panic attack in the past
You have frequent, sudden and unexpected panic attacks that are not related to a specific situation.
You worry a lot about having more panic attacks.
You are changing your routine because of the panic attacks, such as avoiding place you had a panic attack in the past
One panic attack can last only a couple minutes, but this one panic attack can leave a lasting negative impression on a person. Panic attacks that happen over and over can take a huge emotional toll on a person. Just the memory of the fear and overwhelming terror can hurt your self esteem and create harmful disturbances in your life. This can lead to the panic disorder symptoms listed below.
Anticipatory anxiety - You feel anxious and tense between panic attacks. This is caused by the fear that you will have another attack.
Phobic avoidance - You avoid certain places and situations. You do this because you fear the place or situation will cause another panic attack. If you start avoiding places most the time, phobic can turn into agoraphobia.
Phobic avoidance - You avoid certain places and situations. You do this because you fear the place or situation will cause another panic attack. If you start avoiding places most the time, phobic can turn into agoraphobia.
Panic disorder associated with agoraphobia
Agoraphobia used to be thought of as a fear of open spaces and being in public. It is now realized that agoraphobia is a side effect of the fear of having a panic attack. The fear of having a (PA) and not being able escape or becoming embarrassed is normal. It could also be the fear of not having help around. These fears can cause you to start avoiding more and more situations.
In severe cases people only feel safe while at home. Agoraphobia will usually appear sometime around the one year mark of your first panic attack.
Agoraphobia used to be thought of as a fear of open spaces and being in public. It is now realized that agoraphobia is a side effect of the fear of having a panic attack. The fear of having a (PA) and not being able escape or becoming embarrassed is normal. It could also be the fear of not having help around. These fears can cause you to start avoiding more and more situations.
In severe cases people only feel safe while at home. Agoraphobia will usually appear sometime around the one year mark of your first panic attack.
What causes panic attacks and panic disorder?
It is not know what exactly causes (PA) and panic disorder. It is known that panic attacks and panic disorders tend to run in families. They also usually appear when there are large changes going on in a persons life. These can be a job change, marriage or a big move. Traumatic stress situations can also be a major contributing factor. This could include a death of a loved one or major loss of any kind. There are several physical problems that can cause a (PA) also. These should be looked at by a doctor and are listed below.
Mitral valve prolapse, a minor heart problem that happens when the heart's valves do not close correctly.
Hyperthyroidism
Hypoglycemia
Stimulant use (amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine)
Medication withdrawal
It is not know what exactly causes (PA) and panic disorder. It is known that panic attacks and panic disorders tend to run in families. They also usually appear when there are large changes going on in a persons life. These can be a job change, marriage or a big move. Traumatic stress situations can also be a major contributing factor. This could include a death of a loved one or major loss of any kind. There are several physical problems that can cause a (PA) also. These should be looked at by a doctor and are listed below.
Mitral valve prolapse, a minor heart problem that happens when the heart's valves do not close correctly.
Hyperthyroidism
Hypoglycemia
Stimulant use (amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine)
Medication withdrawal
The author Paul Andrew Todd was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and Since a very early age Paul has had a interest in metaphysics. He has read and studied extensively in the fields of spirituality, metaphysics, religion, mind control and other personal improvement areas. Paul has been a certified hypnotherapist for thirteen years. He graduated from the Cincinnati School of Hypnosis in 1996. Paul also has been practicing meditation daily since 1994. He is a trained yoga teacher and meditation instructor. Paul learned yoga at Rishikesh Yogpeeth in India. Since early 2009 Paul has been traveling the world and living on the road. His web site can be found at Overcoming Anxiety
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