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If you have ever experienced a panic attack, you know that it is the worst feeling a human being can experience. You don't have to have a family history for this to happen, although it can be linked genetically in some people.
Panic is an illness of the mind. However, it affects the body in many ways. Basically, your fight or flight reflex kicks in when it shouldn't. Chemical imbalances are also a common culprit for any panic disorder. You wonder, how can something like stress or hormonal imbalance make you feel like you are going crazy or dying?
A panic attack generally comes on without warning. There are a huge array of symptoms one may experience during a panic attack. They include but are not limited to the following:
*Heart Palpitations
*Trembling
*Nausea or stomach problems
*Chest pains
*Shortness of breath
*Pounding or racing heart
*Chills or sweating
*Dizziness or faintness
*Numbness in any part of your body
*Feeling of detachment from oneself or the world
*Headache
If you experience any of these symptoms simultaneously, you should visit your physician; you may be having a panic attack.
It is very easy to speculate while having an attack or even when it is over, what may be wrong with you. Most people with this disorder feel that they must be dying. Others think they are having a heart attack or other terminal illness. They feel embarrassed because they don't understand completely the nature of the attacks, and possibly withdrawal from situations that may provoke an attack for fear they may experience panic in a public place.
When you first visit your physician, he or she will probably run a battery of tests on you to rule out other possible illnesses. Once given the all clear, usually the diagnosis is clear: panic attacks.
Panic attacks, whether they be mild or severe, are highly treatable. There are many different drugs on the market to combat this illness.
For a more immediate affect on the attack, there are antidepressants called benzodiazepines. This class of drugs works well if you are in the middle of an attack. However, there are some downsides; these drugs have a sedating affect and can be habit forming as well.
For long term rehabilitation, there are SSRI drugs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). These are to be taken on a daily basis and take a little longer to kick in, sometimes up to 4 weeks. This is more of a maintenance type drug and helps to balance the chemicals in the brain. These drugs have great antianxiety properties, but also may have a long list of side affects. Your physician will better be able to work with you to figure the best method of treatment.
For some, counseling seems to help. High levels of stress is sometimes the culprit of attacks and talking about it may help.
It is very important to remember that during an attack, you will not die and it will end. Get help from a professional. There is no need for embarrassment as millions of people suffer from this illness, many in silence because they don't know that there is indeed treatment. Just because you feel out of control during an attack, doesn't mean you can't control it.
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