After a panic attack has occurred, many times a visit to the emergency room follows to ensure that a heart attack, stroke, or some other serious ailment has not just happened. After every test possible, the doctor comes up with a diagnosis. He tells you that all of your tests have come back negative and what you are experiencing is normal and harmless. He explains that you are experiencing panic attacks. The doctor prescribes medicine, a follow up checkup with your general practitioner, and then sends you on your way. As the doctor is explaining this, thoughts are racing through your mind. How can this be normal and harmless? The doctor just cannot be right. He has to be missing something. After leaving the hospital and feeling as if the doctor has completely misdiagnosed your situation, you have decided to take it upon yourself to grasp what this new diagnosis means.

Grasping the fact that the diagnosis of panic attacks is correct is the first step to conquering them. According to The Lancet, panic attacks are sudden, sometimes unexpected paroxysmal bursts of severe anxiety accompanied by several physical symptoms. (eg. Cardio respiratory, otoneurological, gastrointestinal, or autonomic) Such attacks are often striking in their initial presentation, affect the individual’s function, and could be progressive and disabling, especially if accompanied by agoraphobia (an extreme form of phobic avoidance). (Roy-Byrne & Steine, 2006) In other words, panic attacks are caused from a build up of stress and anxiety, which led you to feel sensations in many areas of your body. You then experience the Fight-or-Flight response.

What does Fight-or-Flight response mean? When your body senses danger, your adrenalin will kick in. This usually occurs when you feel fear that something might happen or is happening. The Fight-or-Flight response is discussed in more detail in our next article. These sensations lead us to believe that they are symptoms of some type of serious underlying illness, or that we are experiencing a major health risk.

Many individuals that have encountered these dreadful panic attacks feel as if they are losing control and worse yet, going crazy. The fear that is caused by these sensations leads us into being apprehensive about going out into the public. These attacks affect our sleep. We tend to constantly need to sleep in order to escape from the attacks because it is on our mind from the time we wake up until the time we go to sleep. The bad news is that you can experience a panic attack even in your sleep! The good news is that there are treatments and remedies that you can take to overcome these attacks.

It is a common fact that women experience panic attacks more than men. However, both can be subjected to it. Whether male or female, the attacks are very distressful. At some point in their lifetime, millions will experience these distressful attacks and will be searching for answers like you. Now that you know what panic attacks are, you should learn what the symptoms (sensations) are so you can identify them next time with your panic attack. Grasping panic attacks is your first step to recovery!

Reference: Roy-Byrne, P., Craske, M., & Stein, M. (2006, September 16). Panic disorder. Lancet, 368(9540), 1023-1032. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection database.

A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear and anxiety, usually without any clear reason and without warning. It can happen to anyone regardless of age, health and status. Many attacks are a one-time occurrence, but some people experience recurring episodes. Recurring episodes are often caused by a “trigger” – like speaking in front of a crowd or doing a presentation at work. Panic attacks may be a part of another disorder such as depression, panic disorder, or social phobia. These, however, are generally harmless, but sufferers still feel that their life is in danger. Either way, panic attacks are treatable.

Signs and Symptoms

A panic attack can happen anytime, but it usually happens when you are away from home. You may be at a store shopping, at work preparing for a presentation, in a class, driving, walking down the street or even during asleep.

The signs and symptoms develop quickly and usually arrive at its peak in 10 minutes. The majority of panic attacks do not last for more than 30 minutes and it rarely lasts for more than an hour.

A person during an attack shows these signs and symptoms:

• Increased heartbeat or palpitation
• Chest pain
• Hyperventilation or shortness of breath
• Stomach churning, upset stomach
• Trembling and shaking
• Muscle tension
• Sweating
• Dizziness and light-headedness
• Hot or cold flashes
• Tingling sensation or numbness
• Fear of dying, going crazy or losing control
• Feeling detached from the surroundings

Panic Disorder

A panic attack may happen just once without any problem or complication. And there is almost no reason to be concerned if you have one or two episodes. But those who have experienced several episodes usually develop panic disorder.

Recurring panic attacks along with persistent anxiety for future attacks and major changes in behavior can be considered as panic disorder. There are two symptoms of panic disorder: (1) phobic avoidance and (2) anticipatory anxiety.

Phobic avoidance – When you begin to avoid certain things or situations based on the belief that it would trigger another attack. It can also be avoiding situations that have caused the previous attack. You may also avoid places or situations where escape is difficult and help is unavailable, like riding an elevator or an airplane. Extreme case of phobic avoidance may lead to agoraphobia.

Anticipatory anxiety – The “fear of fear” or the fear of having future panic attacks. The person manifesting this symptom is usually tensed and anxious. When ignored, the condition can be disabling.

Panic disorder with agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is traditionally believed as fear of open places or public places, thus, it literally means “fear of the marketplace.” However, now it is believed that agoraphobia is fear of experiencing panic attack in a place where help is difficult or where escape would be difficult.

People with agoraphobia tend to avoid the following situations or activities:

• Being away from home

• Driving

• Confined places where there is a possibility of being trapped (elevator, theaters, public transportation, stores)

• Going out with “unsafe” person or someone he or she is not comfortable being with.

• Places where it would be embarrassing to have a panic attack like parties and other social gatherings.

In severe cases, people with agoraphobia see their home as the only safe place.

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