An increasing surge of anxiety and fear is known as a panic attack. Someone suffering from this type of attack experiences an increased hear rate and difficulty breathing. Some might even feel as if they are having a heart attack or are on the brink of death. When panic attacks are not treated they can lead to a lot of complications. Some people who suffer from these attacks have withdrawn from their everyday activities. There is a way to get better. Many treatment options can easily reduce or even eliminate panic attacks.
Anxiety is love’s greatest killer. It makes others feel as you might when a drowning man holds on to you. You want to save him, but you know he will strangle you with his panic. – Anais Nin
What Are Panic Attacks?
For most people, panic attacks happen suddenly and without warning. In many cases there is not even a real reason for why the attack occurred. Panic attacks can be a one-time thing but there are some people who experience them repeatedly. When attacks repeat themselves, they are generally triggered by a specific scenario such as crossing a bridge or public speaking. Generally, panic comes from incidents in which you feel trapped and in danger.
Signs of a Panic Attack
Panic attacks generally happen when you’re not at home; however, they can happen anywhere at any time. The signs and symptoms come on quickly, they peak around ten minutes after they begin, and generally don’t last any longer than half an hour. Symptoms can include hyperventilation, sweating, dizziness, lightheadedness, hot or cold flashes, and tightness in the chest, rapid heart rate, feelings of dying, or losing control.
Signs of a Panic Disorder
There are several people that will experience a panic attack without any further complications. So if you’ve had just one panic attack there is little reason to be concerned. However, for those who have experienced panic attacks quite often, they often go on to develop a panic disorder. This is when panic attacks are repeated. Signs of a panic disorder include: frequent panic attacks that are not related to a specific event, constant worrying about having another attack, and avoiding locations where you’ve previously had an attack.
Though panic attacks only last a few minutes, the experience of it all can leave lasting damage. The constant attacks can take an emotional toll on someone suffering. Because of the intense fear you experienced during the attacks, it can begin to negatively impact your self confidence. This is what leads to a disorder.
Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia
I started getting these attacks in 2009, just as my music career was taking off. I’d be doing photo-shoots and started to feel like I was having heart attacks. Increasingly I found it difficult to step outside my flat. Things started to get better after I saw a therapist, who told me I needed to make peace with my panic attacks. – Ellie Goulding
Agoraphobia is thought to encompass fear of open spaces and public places. This means that you’re afraid of having panic attacks in a place where escaping could be trying or embarrassing. As a result of these fears, the person affected will begin to avoid more and more scenarios. For example, you might avoid getting into an airplane, train, or bus because the environment cannot be controlled by you in the event of a panic attack. Agoraphobia generally appears within the first year of having panic attacks, though it can happen at any time.
Causes of Panic Attacks and Disorders
The exact causes of panic attacks and disorders are unclear. However, there is some evidence that it is somewhat hereditary. Dealing with severe stress such as divorce, loss of a job, or death of a loved one could trigger a panic attack. They can also be the result of a medical condition and other physical causes. For those suffering from panic disorders, it is a good idea to see a psychiatrist so that they can rule out other reasons for the attacks including stimulant use, withdraw from other medications, low blood sugar, or an overactive thyroid gland.
Treatment for Panic Attacks
Both panic attacks and disorders are treatable conditions. They can generally be treated effectively with therapy sessions and self help strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective therapies for panic disorders. It deals with the thinking patterns and behaviors that trigger the panic attacks. The therapist helps patients to look at their fears in a more positive way. For instance, if you’re fearful of having a panic attack while driving, you could think about the worse thing that could happen. If a panic attack begins while driving, you might have to pull over, but you are not likely to crash or have a heart attack. The therapist helps you determine the best case scenario, which allows these attacks to lose their power because the sufferer has learned how to properly cope with them and dispel the fears.
Exposure therapy is also used to treat panic disorder. It allows you to come face to face with your fears in a safe and controlled environment. This allows you to learn healthier ways to cope with the problem. Each time you are exposed to your fears, they should become easier and easier to deal with. For those who suffer from agoraphobia, they will be exposed to the situations that make them fearful enough to avoid them. This experience works because it shows the sufferer that the outcome is not nearly as bad as anticipated.
Medications for Panic Attacks
Medications are used to temporarily reduce the symptoms of panic disorder. However, keep in mind that this does not treat the problem. Medication is most effective when combined with other treatments including therapy and lifestyle changes. Medications that are commonly used to treat panic disorders are antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Self Help Tips for Treating Panic Disorders
Fear cannot be banished, but it can be calm and without panic; it can be mitigated by reason and evaluation. – Vannevar Bush
When it comes to dealing with panic attacks, the best treatment is professional help and therapy. Other things that you can do to help yourself include learning more about your condition, and avoiding toxins including smoking and caffeine. Learning to control your breathing can also help, because it will allow you to prevent hyperventilation. Practice methods for relaxation are also extremely helpful. With determination, support, and commitment you can get back to living a life free from fear.
Resources
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
- Centre for Clinical Interventions
- Anxiety Panic Attack Resource
- Panic Away
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