What is a panic attack?
When Should You Seek Help?
You should seek medical help as soon as you detect symptom of anxiety disorders. These can be very difficult to deal with on your own and they may even worsen when not treated immediately. Thus, it is best to have yourself evaluated by a doctor if you are unsure of the cause of your symptoms. If it is found that what you are having is a panic attack and not any other severe health condition, then your health provider may refer you to a psychiatrist for further treatment.
If you're having second thoughts about getting your anxiety problems treated, try to talk to someone such as a family member or a friend. He/she may encourage you to take the first steps in getting treatment.
Medical Exams
Once you have agreed to be treated, your physician will administer several exams before he gives his diagnosis of your condition. Tests that you will undergo may include the following:
- Physical exam. This includes checking the vital signs.
- Laboratory tests. You may be required to have blood tests.
- Psychological assessment. You will be asked regarding what your symptoms are, how long and often they occur, and how you feel whenever you're experiencing them. The doctor will probe into a few aspects of your personal life like fears, stressful situations, relationship problems, and so on.
Complications
If you don't have your panic attacks treated, they can give rise to severe complications that would have negative effects on almost all of the areas of your life. You would constantly worry about your next panic attack and this will definitely destroy your quality of life. A few examples of these complications are as follows:
- More phobias (e.g. leaving your home, dealing with strangers, etc.)
- Depression
- Increased risk of committing suicide
- Problems in school or work
- Social isolation
- Alcohol and/or drug abuse
Therapy
Your doctor may prescribe medications or other forms of therapy such as the Panic Away Program, the Linden Method, or Panic Anxiety GONE!.
Read about this condition on Wikipedia
Panic attacks are very sudden, discrete periods of intense anxiety, mounting physiological arousal, fear, stomach problems and discomfort that are associated with a variety of somatic and cognitive symptoms. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders The onset of these episodes is typically abrupt, and may have no obvious triggers. Although these episodes may appear to be random, they are a subset of an evolutionary response commonly referred to as fight or flight that occur out of context. This response floods the body with hormones, particularly epinephrine (adrenaline), that aid it in defending against harm.Bourne, E. (2005). The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, 4th Edition: New Harbinger Press. Experiencing a panic attack is said to be one of the most intensely frightening, upsetting and uncomfortable experiences of a person's life.
According to the American Psychological Association, the symptoms of a panic attack commonly last approximately thirty minutes. However, panic attacks can be as short as 15 seconds, while sometimes panic attacks may form a cyclic series of episodes, lasting for an extended period, sometimes hours. Often those afflicted will experience significant anticipatory anxiety and limited symptom attacks in between attacks, in situations where attacks have previously occurred.
Panic attacks are commonly linked to agoraphobia and the fear of not being able to escape a bad situation. Many who experience panic attacks feel trapped and unable to free themselves.
The effects of a panic attack vary from person to person. Some, notably first-time sufferers, may call for emergency services. Many who experience a panic attack, mostly for the first time, fear they are having a heart attack or a nervous breakdown.
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Mark wrote
Great article - panic attacks & stress are physically & mentally harmful to us and an effective stress management program should be practiced by everyone these days
Posted December 17, 2008
