Panic Attack
A panic
attack is an extreme episode of unexpected concern that occurs when there’s no
apparent danger or danger. In some cases, you may additionally mistake the
signs and symptoms of a panic attack with a heart attack.
You may ride
a single panic attack. Or you might have multiple panic assaults throughout
your life. If left untreated, recurrent panic assaults — and the worry of
experiencing them — might also lead you to keep away from different human
beings or public places. This may additionally be a signal that you’ve
developed a panic disorder.
- · What is a panic attack?
- ·
Symptoms of a panic attack
- ·
What causes panic attacks?
- ·
Who is at risk of panic
attacks?
- ·
How panic attacks
diagnosed?
- ·
How are panic attacks
treated?
- ·
How can panic attacks be
prevented?
- · Home remedies
- ·
Panic attack vs. Panic
disorder
- · Summary
What is a panic attack?
Panic
assaults come on suddenly and involve excessive and regularly overwhelming
fear. They’re accompanied through very difficult physical symptoms, such as a
racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, or nausea.
The trendy
version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
recognizes panic assaults and categorizes them as sudden or expected.
Unexpected
panic attacks take place without an apparent cause. Expected panic attacks are
cued by way of exterior stressors, such as phobias.
Panic
attacks can occur to anyone, however having greater than one may be a sign of
panic disorder.
Symptoms of a panic attack
Panic
attacks trigger your sympathetic nervous system. This leads to the “fight or
flight” response that you experience when faced with danger.
A
panic attack can occur suddenly and without warning. Its symptoms may come on
gradually and peak after about ten minutes. They may include one or more of the
following:
- chest pain
- difficulty swallowing
- difficulty breathing
- shortness of breath
- hyperventilating
- rapid heartbeat
- feeling faint
- hot flashes
- chills
- shaking
- sweating
- nausea
- stomach pain
- tingling or numbness
- feeling that death is imminent
In
some cases, you may develop an overwhelming fear of experiencing another panic
attack. This may be a sign that you’ve developed a panic disorder.
Panic
attacks aren’t life threatening. But their symptoms can be similar to those of
other life-threatening health conditions, such as heart attack. If you
experience symptoms of a panic attack, seek medical attention right away. It’s
important to rule out the possibility that you’re actually having a heart
attack.
What causes panic attacks?
The exact cause
of panic attacks is often unknown. In some cases, panic attacks are linked to
an underlying mental health condition, such as:
- panic
disorder
- agoraphobia
or other phobias
- obsessive
compulsive disorder (OCD)
- post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)
- generalized
anxiety disorder (GAD)
Stress can also contribute to panic attacks.
Who is at risk of panic attacks?
· A number of variables might raise
your chances of having a panic attack. These are some of them:
· having a history of panic episodes in
the family
· having a history of maltreatment as a
child
· working or being in a high-stress
environment
· experiencing a severe experience,
such as a car crash
· undergoing a substantial life
transition, such as the birth of a child
· losing a Loved one
Living with
a mental illness, such as a phobia or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
might increase your risk of panic attacks.
How panic attacks diagnosed?
To diagnose
a panic attack, your health practitioner will in all likelihood ask you about
your symptoms and scientific history. They might also also behavior a physical
exam.
They may
additionally want to behavior checks to rule out a coronary heart attack. The
will in all likelihood use an electrocardiogram (EKG) to measure the electric
powered function of your heart. They may additionally suggest blood checks to
test your stages of thyroid hormones. A hormonal imbalance can have an effect
on your body’s ability to adjust your heart rhythms.
If they
suspect that you have a panic disorder or other mental fitness condition, your
medical doctor might also refer you to a mental fitness specialist. You can
also have a panic sickness if you:
-Experience
widespread panic attacks
-Develop a
chronic concern of experiencing every other panic
-Attack changes
your life-style or conduct due to your concern of experiencing
-Another
panic attack
How are panic attacks treated?
If your
medical doctor suspects that your panic attacks are linked to an underlying
mental fitness condition, you may additionally be referred to a mental fitness
specialist. Depending on your condition, your physician might also suggest a
mixture of medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments to control your
symptoms.
Medications:-
Your health
practitioner or mental health professional may
recommend
one or greater of the following medications:
Selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): These
medications
include fluoxetine
(Prozac),
paroxetine
(Paxil andPexeva), and sertraline
(Zoloft).
They’re frequently used as a first-line remedy for the prevention of panic
attacks
because they have a tendency to purpose lesser aspect effects than many other
medications.
Benzodiazepines:
These
medications
consist of alprazolam
(Niravam,
Xanax), clonazepam
(Klonopin),
and lorazepam
(Ativan).
They depress your central worried machine and have a moderate sedative
effect.
These medicines can also be given in the acute section of the panic attack.
Beta
blockers: These
medications
encompass carvedilol,
propranolol,
and timolol.
They may
additionally decrease the signs associated with a panic attack, including
sweating,
dizziness, and a pounding heartbeat.
Selective
and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): Venlafaxine
hydrochloride
(Effexor XR) is an FDA-approved SNRI used to treat panic
disorders,
and might also assist stop future attacks.
Therapy:-
If you have
a panic sickness or different mental fitness condition, your medical doctor may
advocate psychotherapy to assist treat it. For example, they may additionally
recommend cognitive behavioral therapy. Your therapist will strive to address
the thoughts, behaviors, and reactions related with your panic attacks. This
may additionally help minimize your fears and anxieties about them. They may
additionally also assist “re-train” your brain to higher differentiate between
actual and perceived threats.
Attending a
support team may additionally also assist you manage a panic disorder. It can
assist you strengthen wonderful coping mechanisms for dealing with fear, anxiety,
and stress.
Lifestyle
changes:-
Taking steps
to reduce stress and improve your ordinary fitness may assist limit the
incidence of panic attacks. For example, getting masses of sleep and staying
bodily lively may help decrease your stress levels. Stress management
techniques, such as deep respiratory or revolutionary muscle relaxation, can
also additionally help. It’s also important to keep away from or limit your
consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and illegal drugs.
How can panic attacks be prevented?
What can be
done to avoid panic attacks?
The majority
of panic attacks are very unexpected. As a result, avoiding them might be
difficult.
However, you
may take efforts to improve your overall health and reduce your chance of panic
attacks. It's crucial, for example, to live a healthy lifestyle by:
-consuming a healthy,
-well-balanced diet
-regular
physical activity
-obtaining
adequate sleep
-Taking
Stress Reduction Measures.
It's also
critical to get medical treatment if you're having a panic attack. Getting
therapy might help you avoid future panic attacks.
Home remedies
You must
communicate with your physician or some other mental fitness professional to
find out what you can do to both forestall and treat anxiety- and panic-related
symptoms. Having a remedy layout and sticking to it when an assault occurs can
help you sense like you’re in control.
If you sense
an anxiousness or panic assault coming on, strive the following:
· Take sluggish deep breaths. When you
sense your breath quickening, focus your attention on each inhale and exhale.
Feel your stomach fill with air as you inhale. Count down from four as you
exhale. Repeat till your breathing slows.
· Recognize and receive what you’re experiencing.
If you’ve already skilled an nervousness or panic attack, you comprehend that
it can be extraordinarily challenging. Remind your self that the signs and
symptoms will pass by and you’ll be alright.
· Practice mindfulness.
Mindfulness-based interventions are increasingly used to treat nervousness and
panic disorders. Mindfulness is a technique that can help you floor your ideas
in the present. You can practice mindfulness by means of actively watching
thoughts and sensations except reacting to them.
· Use rest techniques. Relaxation
techniques encompass guided imagery, aromatherapy, and muscle relaxation. If
you’re experiencing signs and symptoms of anxiety or a panic attack, strive
doing things that you discover relaxing. Close your eyes, take a bath, or use
lavender, which has relaxing effects.
Panic attack vs. Panic disorder
Panic
attacks are always a part of panic disorder. However, experiencing a panic
episode does not always indicate that you have panic disorder.
Doctors will
consider the number and frequency of panic attacks when diagnosing panic
disorder. They'll also think about how you feel when you're with them.
A panic
episode affects many people at some time in their life. However, if you have
had several panic attacks and are afraid of their happening again, you may have
panic disorder.
Summary
Panic
attacks are always a part of panic disorder. However, experiencing a panic
episode does not always indicate that you have panic disorder.
Doctors will
consider the number and frequency of panic attacks when diagnosing panic disorder.
They'll also think about how you feel when you're with them.
A panic
episode affects many people at some time in their life. However, if you have
had several panic attacks and are afraid of their happening again, you may have
panic disorder.