One of the most distressing things about panic attacks is that until you learn what the symptoms are, you may have no idea at all what is happening to you. And the consequences of that can be worse than the attack itself.
First. let's look at some numbers. Nearly 30 percent of all American adults will be diagnosed at some point with some kind of anxiety disorder. Think about that - not "will experience", not "will have", but "will be diagnosed." And some unknown number of people are never diagnosed because they never go to a doctor or find some alternative method of dealing with the problem.
Panic attacks (or panic disorders) are only one type of anxiety disorder, though it can lead to other more easily diagnosed anxiety conditions such as phobias. It can also lead to depression, drug abuse, alcoholism and a lot of very serious misery.
Panic disorders affect some 6 million adult Americans and are twice as common among women as men. While many people may have a single attack and never have another one, for others panic disorders develop in late adolescence or early adulthood and continue when they are not treated. Early treatment is very important because of the disabling consequences of repeated panic attacks. Almost a third of those suffering panic disorder become unable to leave their homes or enter a feared situation without the presence and support of a trusted person.
In most cases a panic attack will usually peak in about 10 minutes and then diminish but some symptoms may last significantly longer. To be considered a panic disorder, at least four of the following symptoms must be present:
* A feeling of shortness of breath or smothering
* Becoming dizzy or feeling faint
* A racing or pounding heart
* Trembling or shaking of hands, legs, both, or even the whole body
* Altered body sensations - sweating, chills, or hot flashes
* A feeling of choking
* Nausea or upset stomach
* Feelings of numbness or tingling
* Chest pain or discomfort
* Fear of dying
* Fear of losing control
* Feelings of unreality
* Feelings of detachment
Now that is a pretty unpleasant list, especially when you consider several of them happening at once. Many sufferers also report extreme fear with no obvious "thing" to be afraid of or a sense of doom about to overtake them.
You will not die. If you have a panic disorder, you are not having a heart attack. And that is another reason to be certain of the diagnosis. Going to the emergency room believing you are having a heart attack can be an expensive and negative experience. But if, in fact, you do not have a panic disorder it could save your life.
Knowing the symptoms should relieve some of the fear. Knowing that it will peak and subside in a relatively short time should also help. One of the nastier aspects of panic disorder is that the fear of an attack and the uncertainty about what's happening can lead to a variety of added problems. After an attack, the fear of another attack can make you miserably anxious for weeks.
Most commonly, medications are used, at least initially, in standard medical treatment. While this may help, it carries its own risks since the drugs may be addictive or have dangerous side effects. Behavioral and cognitive therapies - types of psychological treatment, are also used as well as a variety of adjunct treatments such as relaxation training or meditation. There are alternative treatments that have proven successful with many people.
Understanding what's happening to you is the first step to getting free. Knowing the symptoms may not give you the ability to banish them instantly, but it makes them less terrifying and inexplicable. Anything which helps you separate yourself from the immediate experience, is the beginning of the path to freedom from panic attacks.
If you suffer serious anxiety, panic attacks or panic disorder, please consider checking this to find more specifics and a solution to beat panic attack symptoms that has worked for many. Take action to free yourself from anxiety and panic.
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