A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming anxiety and fear. Your heart beats and can not breathe. You feel dizzy and sick to your stomach. You may even feel like you’re dying or going crazy. If left untreated, panic attacks can lead to panic disorder and other problems. It can even cause you to withdraw from normal activities. But panic is treatable – and the sooner to ask for help, the better. With treatment, can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of panic and regain control of their lives.
In many cases, panic attacks out of nowhere, without any warning. Often, there is no clear reason for the attack. Can occur even when relaxed or asleep.
A panic attack can be a one-time occurrence, but many people experience repeated episodes. Recurrent panic attacks are often triggered by a specific situation, such as crossing a bridge or public speaking – especially if this has caused a panic attack before. Generally, the panic-inducing situation is one in which you feel in danger and unable to escape.
You may experience one or more panic attacks, however, be otherwise perfectly healthy and happy. Or your panic attacks can occur as part of another disorder such as panic disorder, social phobia or depression. Whatever the cause, panic attacks are treatable. There are many effective treatments and coping strategies you can use to treat the symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of a panic attack
Panic attacks often strike when you’re away from home, but can occur anywhere and at any time. You may need a while in a mall store, walking down the street, driving in your car, or sitting on the couch in casa.ataques of panicop
Signs and symptoms of a panic attack develop abruptly and usually reach their peak in 10 minutes. Most Panic Away attacks end within 20 to 30 minutes, and rarely last more than an hour.
A panic attack includes a combination of the following signs and symptoms:
* Shortness of breath or hyperventilation
* Palpitations or rapid heartbeat
* Chest pain or discomfort
* Trembling or shaking
* Feeling of choking
* Feelings of unreality or separated from their environment
* Sweating
Nausea or upset stomach
* Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or faint
* Numbness or tingling
* Hot or cold flashes
* Fear of dying, losing control or going crazy
In exposure therapy for panic disorder, you are exposed to the physical sensations of panic in a safe and controlled environment, giving you the opportunity to learn healthier ways of coping. You may be asked to hyperventilate, shake his head from side to side, or hold your breath. These exercises different sensations cause symptoms similar to panic. With each exposure, become less afraid of these internal bodily sensations and feel a greater sense of control over their panic.
If you have agoraphobia, exposure to fear and avoid situations that also included in treatment. As in exposure therapy for specific phobias, faces the feared situation until the fear begins to fade. Through this experience, one learns that the situation is not harmful and that you have control over your emotions.
In severe cases, medication can be used to control or reduce some symptoms of panic disorder. However, the medication should not be the only treatment pursued. The medication is most effective when combined with other treatments such as therapy and lifestyle changes that address the underlying causes of panic disorder.
The medications used for panic attacks and panic disorder include:
* Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat panic attacks and panic disorder. However, it takes several weeks before they start work, so they must be taken continuously – not just during a panic attack.
Benzodiazepines are antianxiety drugs * to act very quickly (usually within 30 minutes to an hour). Taking into them during a panic attack provides rapid relief of symptoms. However, benzodiazepines are highly addictive and withdrawal symptoms, so that should be used with caution.