One day, without warning, a feeling of terrible anxiety comes crashing down on you. You feel like you can’t get enough air, no matter how hard you breathe. Your heart is pounding out of your chest, and you think you might die. You’re sweating and feel dizzy. You feel like you have no control. After what seems like forever, your breathing slows and you eventually let go of the fear and racing thoughts, but are totally drained and exhausted. These attacks start to occur every couple of weeks, and you think you are losing your mind. Sound familiar? You might be having panic attacks.
So What is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack can include many symptoms like rapid heart rate and breathing, tingling, ringing ears, a lump in your throat, dizziness and nausea. Sounds fun right?
Panic Vs Anxiety
Keep in mind that panic attacks and anxiety disorders are two different things. People with anxiety have fear in everyday situations. They feel tense in situations where the average person does not. This tension often causes a panic attack, which is that sudden feeling of extreme fear and worry. Don’t forget though, not all people with anxiety will have panic attacks, but all people with panic attacks do have anxiety disorders.
Panic Disorder
Many people have just one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes. The problem goes away when a stressful situation ends. But if you’ve had repeated, unexpected panic attacks and feel like you are always in fear of another attack, you may have something called panic disorder.
Panic Disorder is that constant fear of having a panic attack. This fear can be so intense that it leads people to avoid situations in which they might panic. A person with panic disorder may become upset and feel ashamed because he or she cannot carry out normal activities like going to school or work, going to the grocery store, or driving.
Panic disorder often begins in the late teens or early adulthood. More women than men have panic disorder but not everyone who experiences panic attacks will develop panic disorder.
Causes
It’s not known what causes panic attacks or panic disorder, but these factors may play a role:
*Genetics
*Major stress or past trauma
*Personality that is more sensitive to stress or negative emotions
*Out of balance hormones
*Certain changes in the way parts of your brain function
Panic attacks may start out coming on suddenly and without warning, but over time, they’re usually triggered by certain situations.
A system in your body called the fight-or-flight response to danger is involved in panic attacks. For example, if a grizzly bear came after you, your body would react without thinking. Your heart rate and breathing would speed up as your body prepared itself for a life-threatening situation. Many of the same reactions occur in a panic attack. It’s not known why a panic attack occurs when there’s no obvious danger present but many people with panic disorder can mistake harmless body sensations as threats.
The Brain
Many parts of your brain affect fear and anxiety. Various chemicals in your brain can be changed by things like medication, caffeine, blood pressure, and sleep habits.
Other things that might increase your risk of having panic attacks or panic disorder include:
Family history of panic attacks or panic disorder
Major life stress, such as the death or serious illness of a loved one
A traumatic event, such as sexual assault or a serious accident
Major changes in your life, such as a divorce or the addition of a baby
Smoking or excessive caffeine intake
History of childhood physical or sexual abuse
What to Do
Left untreated, panic attacks and panic disorder can affect almost every area of your life. You may be so afraid of having more panic attacks that you live in a constant state of fear, ruining your quality of life. If you’ve had signs or symptoms of a panic attack, make an appointment with your general doctor. After an initial eval, your doctor may refer you to a therapist for treatment.
I’d like to help. If you think you may be suffering from anxiety, please contact me via email so we can talk further.
REFERENCES
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms/index.shtml
http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=9912
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/panic-attacks/basics/definition/con-20020825
Wehrenberg, M. (2008) The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques. New York: W.W. Norton and Company Inc.