| The symptoms of panic attacks are some of the | | | | situations for fear that an attack may occur. |
| most troubling and frightening feelings a | | | | For example if someone had an attack in a |
| human being can face. A panic attack is a | | | | closed space like an elevator they may |
| distinct period of intense fear or discomfort | | | | develop a fear of elevators. In the extreme, |
| that usually reaches a peak within a few | | | | some people who experience panic attacks will |
| minutes. Some of the symptoms include: 1) | | | | not even leave their home. This is called |
| Pounding heart or accelerated heart rate, 2) | | | | agoraphobia.Treating the symptoms of panic |
| Sweating, trembling, or shaking, 3) Feelings | | | | attacks in the medical model is generally a |
| of choking, chest pain, or discomfort, 4) | | | | three pronged approach. First is education, |
| Nausea or abdominal distress, 5) Feeling | | | | second is therapy, and third is medication. |
| dizzy, lightheaded, or faint, 6) Feelings of | | | | Educating the suffer that some how their |
| unreality of being detached from oneself. 7) | | | | fight-or-flight response to danger is getting |
| Fear of losing control or going crazy, 8) | | | | triggered in non threatening situations |
| Fear of dying, 9) Numbness or tingling | | | | usually helps put their mind to ease. Letting |
| sensations, 10) Chills or hot flashes.Not all | | | | them know that the attack is short lived and |
| of the above symptoms of panic attacks are | | | | will not harm them also seems to help. |
| present in each individual attack. Usually at | | | | Second, short-term therapy that focuses on |
| least four are necessary to be considered a | | | | relaxation and imagery techniques that can be |
| true panic attack. A panic attack can occur | | | | used during an attack may also be helpful. |
| suddenly, without warning causing anxiety | | | | Learning to know what sensations bring on the |
| between attacks that another attack will | | | | fight-or-flight response can help a sufferer |
| occur at any time. When someone is having a | | | | calm down before they have a full-blown |
| panic attack they usually have a pounding | | | | attack. Also dealing with the person's fears |
| heart. There may be chest pain and some | | | | about having another attack can also lessen |
| people actually think they are having a heart | | | | the anxiety about panic attacks. Finally, if |
| attack. They may feel sweaty, weak, faint or | | | | all else fails there is medication that can |
| dizzy. There may be tremendous fear that they | | | | be prescribed that can help with the symptoms |
| losing control of their mind (going crazy) or | | | | of panic attacks. Many times a sufferer will |
| that they are going to die. They also can | | | | be prescribed medication and only take it |
| have feelings of unreality or of being | | | | when they feel like they may have an attack. |
| detached from themselves. Usually attacks | | | | Soon, just knowing there is something at hand |
| only last a few minutes; however, the fear | | | | that can bring them down from an attack |
| associated with the symptoms of panic attacks | | | | allows them to be comfortable without taking |
| can be so profound that it may feel like the | | | | the medication at all.As frightening as a |
| length of an attack is an eternity.Not | | | | panic attack is for the sufferer, the |
| everyone who has a panic attack will go on to | | | | symptoms of panic attacks respond well to |
| have more attacks. If they do then they may | | | | education and even self-help. Often a person |
| be diagnosed with Panic Disorder. Panic | | | | doesn't need therapy. Rarely does a person |
| Disorder is estimated to affect 3 to 6 | | | | have to take medication full time, if at all. |
| million Americans and is twice as common in | | | | This should be encouraging news to those of |
| women as in men. If a person is diagnosed | | | | you who wondering "Why Me?" There is help and |
| with Panic Disorder it is important that they | | | | the prognosis is very good. Find what works |
| receive treatment as the condition can become | | | | for you.Anthony Pace is the author of this |
| very disabling. The symptoms of panic attacks | | | | article. |
| can cause a person to avoid certain | | | | |