Although they are usually not very serious, panic attacks do have the potential to be a troubling, and even debilitating in some instances. There is usually no way to predict when an attack is going to happen or how severe it may be. Although they are usually unpredictable, they can generally be treated somewhat easily. If you or someone you know suffers from this condition you may be interested in some information.
These episodes are also called anxiety attacks. There are a variety of ways this condition can manifest in the sufferer. The classic definition for the issue is a sudden and sometimes intense onset of emotion. There is no way to predict how severe an attack will be or how long an attack will last. Luckily, the attacks are usually very mild. In extreme cases the panic and emotions involved can be troubling and even debilitating.
These attacks are very common. For most people they are very infrequent, often only occurring once or twice over the course of their lifetime. Others, unfortunately, may suffer with the issue chronically. When this is the case, it can be a sign of a chronic condition known as panic disorder. Once dismissed as merely nerves or stress related, panic disorder has since become recognized as a real and potentially serious medical condition.
Generally, the impact of panic disorder is psychological. They have the potential to impact our social lives and our professional career. Some people may avoid certain social functions because of fear of an attack, or avoid an important business trip because a fear of flying may spur an episode. They can also be dangerous if they occur while driving a car, operating heavy machinery, or participating in some other dangerous activity. Cases this extreme are fairly rare, with most attacks being quite manageable and posing no physical threat.
There is no clear cause of panic attacks. There are contributing factors that may be involved, including genetics, stress, diet, mental health and other issues of the brain. Often, there is a mental trigger that may be the cause of the event. These may include a fear of flying or speaking in public. An individual's mindset may also play a role. For instance, feelings of guilt, fear, or depression may trigger an attack.
Symptoms of an episode manifest both physically and mentally. They usually occur very suddenly. The sufferer may begin sweating, with an increased heart rate. Other physical signs of an episode include flushing, trembling, nausea, and shortness of breath. There are many emotional states that an individual may experience, usually fear and apprehension. They also may experience feelings of guilt, depression, and a sense of impending doom.
Luckily, there are many ways to treat these issues. One of the most common methods of treatment comes in the form of psychotherapy. It is called cognitive behavior therapy, which is an effort to adjust thinking patterns and deal with triggers that cause these attacks. There are also many types of breathing techniques and other ideas to calm an individual down and sometimes prevent an attack before it occurs. A doctor or therapist may also recommend various types of medication to ease symptoms.
Panic attacks are very common and rarely serious. However, they can have adverse effects on the life of the sufferer and can present some potentially dangerous situations if they occur at bad moments. For this reason, an official diagnosis should be done by a doctor. Your doctor can then direct you toward the treatment method that is appropriate for you.
Find great tips to fight those panic attacks by looking online. There are several articles that will share methods and ideas with you. Head online now and learn more.
Posted under depression
This post was written by Paul Cruz on August 26, 2010
