Anxiety Panic Attacks
Did you know that one out of every 75 people in the world will experience a Panic Attack at some point in their lives? While it is normal to experience some level of stress and Anxiety in certain aspects of life, this disorder demands a thorough diagnosis and some medical attention.
What is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden and overwhelming surge of fear and dread, which comes without warning and without an obvious reason. There are many different physical symptoms which people associate with this disorder. These can include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, sweating, and a general feeling of lack of control. People who have experienced panic attack Anxiety Disorders often describe feeling like they are going crazy, and it can be extremely terrifying.
Panic Attack Anxiety Disorder: The Details
A person who has had an attack will experience a sudden and intense period of discomfort and anxiety, which generally has very specific somatic symptoms. Symptoms usually last between ten and thirty minutes, which means it can be hard for a physician to witness the actual symptoms. Therefore, it is important to try to keep notes on the symptoms you have experienced. So, what are some of the symptoms? They include
- a fear of dying
- A fear of going crazy or losing control
- Feelings of detachment from the self
- Chest Pain or discomfort
- Dizziness or faintness
- The feeling of choking
- Hot flashes or chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- Numbness
- Increased heart rate
- Shortness of breath or the feeling of being smothered
- Sweating
- Trembling
Disorder Situations
While it is often difficult to identify the specific cause of a panic attack, in some cases, the they can be brought on by a specific external factor. For example, if a person has a fear of spiders, and they find themselves in a room with spiders in it, they could very well experience a panic attack. Once someone has experienced this problem, they will often avoid situations, which they believe could bring on another attack. For instance, a person who has experienced an attack while on an airplane, may choose to take the train on his or her next vacation.
Treatment
Panic Attacks are part of a larger scale anxiety disorder, and can be treated in a number of ways. Confronting such situations head-on has been shown to have tremendous results. Patients should be encouraged to return to places and experiences where they have experienced panic attacks, as this has been proven to dispel the disorder. In some cases, certain drugs can help – these can be taken at the onset of an attack or as prescribed by a physician. It is important for patients to understand the core of their worries, and try to practice relaxation techniques.
Experiencing an attack as part of an anxiety disorder can be frightening. It is important to visit a family doctor and describe your symptoms to him or her, in order to get the best possible care.
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Donald Ray has worked more than 20 years in counseling couples with all kinds of family problems. He is an author and his latest eBook “Hidden Secrets of Relieving Panic Attacks” and other articles may be found at; http://www.releavingpanicattacks.com