Panic attacks, also referred to as anxiety attacks, often begin during the teen and early adult years. Women are far more likely than men to experience a panic attack. Most attacks last just a few minutes, and they involve a sudden feeling of intense and overwhelming fear that arises without warning. There are a range of suspected causes, such as major life changes (moving, becoming a parent, getting married, starting a new job, death of a loved one, etc.) or a hereditary predisposition. Approximately one in seventy-five people suffers from a panic disorder, and panic attacks are a cornerstone of such disorders.
While it is normal to feel a bit nervous or jittery in certain situations or about certain events, a panic attack takes those feelings to a different level. Some of the symptoms may include increased heart rate, hot flashes, chills, dizziness, shaking, and sweating. Some people begin to have nausea or difficulty breathing, and they may even faint. Chest pains are also common, and for this reason, many people believe they are having a heart attack when they are actually experiencing a panic attack. On HBO’s hit series “The Sopranos,” Tony Soprano begins seeing a psychiatrist after having an intense panic attack that makes him collapse. As mob boss, it is easy to see how his character would be so “stressed out.” At the time of Tony’s panic attack, he was standing in front of his barbecue grill, preparing some food for his son’s birthday party. He was not in the midst of a stressful situation, but the stresses in his life still caused him to suffer an attack. That is generally the way panic attacks occur – without an obvious trigger. Like many panic attacks sufferers, Tony was reluctant to believe that is collapse could be attributed to a psychological – not a physical – problem.
Many people view emotional problems as weaknesses; they hate to admit that stress could lead to a physical reaction. However, it is widely known in today’s medical community that stress it is an incredibly powerful factor in a person’s overall health. Stress can worsen existing medical conditions, and it can even create new ones. Women who are stressed out during pregnancy are far more susceptible to complications than women who are not overly stressed. Although panic attacks are not considered life-threatening, they are very unsettling and frightening to experience. Also, depending on where you are when you have the panic attack, it could be dangerous. If you are driving on a busy highway when an attack comes on, you could lose control of the wheel and wind up in a major collision. That is why if you have a problem with panic attacks, you owe it to your physical and especially your emotional well-being to address the problem.
Many people feel that they are going nuts just because they have panic attacks; they are ashamed and embarrassed – as if this behavior indicates the need for a straight jacket or shock treatments. Without treatment, your condition could worsen and the frequency of your panic attacks could increase. For one, you will start to become very worried about having attacks – and that fear alone could lead you to have another attack. It is a vicious cycle – the condition aggravates itself. Sufferers are often obsessed with the fear of having an attack, and treatment can help dissuade your paranoia. If you are experiencing the symptoms of a panic attack, you should not hesitate to see a licensed therapist. Particularly if you have experienced the symptoms on repeated occasions, you should look to a professional for help and guidance. Look for someone who has a history of dealing with anxiety disorders and mental health. It is possible that speaking to a counselor will help you to learn how to handle stress more effectively so that your stress does not elevate to the “panic” level. You may learn some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or positive visualization. Anti-anxiety medications also may be prescribed depending on the severity of the condition. A panic disorder is not something that you are going to be able to cure on your own, so seek professional help in order to remedy the situation so that you can get on with your life.
