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