Panic Attacks Disorder

I was just curious but how do you know if your having and panic attack and what can cause them?

By: skylar_18878

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Copyright (c) 2008 Steven Magill

You would be surprised at how many people visit the emergency room because of a heart attack when the reality is they are only experiencing a panic attack. That will give you an idea of how intense the symptoms of a panic attack can be.

First let’s look at the different physical symptoms that indicate you might be having a panic attack.

Shortness of breath

Trembling or shaking

Sweating

Tightness of the chest

Inability to focus or sit still

Chills or hot flashes

Not only do people experience physical symptoms with panic attacks, but there are psychological symptoms as well. Here is a list of the most common psychological symptoms people experience when having a panic attack or experience while expecting a panic attack to happen:

Fear of losing control

Fear of dying

Agoraphobia or fear of public places

Feelings of unreality

Depression

Potential tendency to turn to substance abuse

For people dealing with recurring panic attacks it can be difficult for family members or loved ones to fully understand what you are going through if they have never experienced a panic attack before.

Sometimes you may feel like you are forced to face the panic attacks alone because your closest friends and family may think you are simply trying to get attention or may quickly lose patience with you because they don’t see it as a big problem.

It’s important to understand that you are not alone in your dealings with panic attacks or anxiety disorder. Many people commonly experience these types of symptoms throughout their lives. Some more than others, but you are not as alone as you may think you are when dealing with these type of problems.

Rest assured panic attacks are not as life threatening as some people think them to be. The cure for panic attacks lies in how you handle the panic attack symptoms. Controlling your thoughts is the key to controlling the power the symptoms have over your mind and body.

If you are unsure whether or not the symptoms are from a panic attack it is a good idea to visit your doctor to get checked out. Even if you are absolutely sure you are experiencing a panic attack it doesn’t hurt to have a doctor investigate the symptoms you are experiencing.

Most importantly remember that panic attacks can be treated without the use of medication, and most people just need someone to help guide them in the right direction.



By: Steven Magill

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Researchers are constantly working to find more ways of helping people in identifying panic attacks. Panic or anxiety attacks are becoming more and more common but are not a sign of any mental disorder or deficiency, but more often simply the result of stress. In order to distinguish panic disorder from other medical conditions, the patient should have a thorough physical examination. The main ingredient in having a panic attack is the fact that you have an insurmountable fear of something.

The most important thing is to recognize the panic attack when it occurs. Many times these attacks seem to come on for no particular reason or they are triggered by something specific such as being in a crowded place. First, accept the fact that there is no simple test that will confirm panic attacks. If you have a sense of impending doom, severe anxiety, a heart that won’t stop racing, shakiness, numbing about the face and/or muscle cramps then take this as a classic presentation for a panic attack. If you are having repeated episodes with symptoms similar to those described, panic anxiety should be considered.

Panic attacks are a frightening experience to have to go through. They can be a terrifying downward spiral of anxiety for the person enduring it. An attack can leave the person and those around feeling helpless. Panic attacks normally typically occur spontaneously, with no readily identifiable trigger. These attacks can even begin during sleep and will usually last for a few minutes, but to the person going thru it, they often feel like an eternity.

Anxiety attacks can have so many different symptoms that many times people having panic attacks are misdiagnosed and only after all other possibilities of illness are exhausted do doctors typically give the correct diagnosis. Therefore, panic attacks need evaluation not only to rule out other causes, but also to start treatment for the attacks themselves. Consequently, even if a person THINKS they are having one, immediate medical attention should be pursued.

The easiest way to recognize if you are having an attack is to remember how many of these attacks you experienced. If you suffer from repeated attacks it is most likely that you may have a panic disorder.

The good news is that panic disorder is highly treatable once it is correctly diagnosed. In fact, the correct treatment can reduce or completely prevent panic attacks in just about 70 to 90 percent of patients–especially when the panic disorder is recognized early. Even if a patient has a recurrent attack, it can be treated effectively. Tragically, today just one in three people with panic disorder receives the treatment. It is not uncommon for people with panic disorder to see as many as 10 different medical specialists while undergoing unnecessary tests before obtaining a correct diagnosis.



By: Rickie Smith

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There are many techniques and ways people can stop panic attack symptoms. You must examine and understand exactly what causes a panic attack. In order to stop panic attack symptoms from overtaking you, a good understanding of your body’s stressors and the things that can bring your body’s stress levels considerably down is necessary and helpful. A careful self-examination is key here as nobody knows your own body and mind better than you.

A panic attack is a specific episode in which a person experiences intense anxiety and/or fear that can last for minutes or even hours. Panics attacks manifest themselves in many ways, including but not limited to: shaking, sweating, feeling that your heart is pounding uncontrollably, shortness of breath, chest pain, cramping, dizziness, nausea, hot flashes, chills, choking, and tingling or numbness in your extremities.

In order to stop panic attack symptoms, one has to understand the triggers of a panic attack. The trigger may not be obvious, however, which makes it more difficult to ascertain. You might experience an extreme fear over nothing at all or even a fear of having a panic attack itself. There really is no surefire way to understand the entire scope of what contributes to your panic attack without careful evaluation with a medical professional and possibly a psychologist.

No Reason to be Embarrassed

Many people, however, do not see their doctors or bother with a psychologist because they are embarrassed of the symptoms of a panic attack. Others do not seek professional help because it makes them feel inferior or “crazy” to see a psychiatrist. Pride is not a symptom of panic attacks, but it is a byproduct at times of a person’s desire to remain “normal” at all costs.

Some doctors prescribe medications for panic attacks such as Paxil or Zoloft. In order to stop panic attack symptoms, you may want to consider talking to your doctor about these medications or other methods. Always follow the advice of your medical professional and the regulations set forth by the drug companies as it is important to utilize any medication properly. Never stop taking a medication suddenly without the advice of your physician and never start taking medication without the advice of your doctor, either. As with anything in life and in the world of health, nothing beats the expertise and advice of a qualified medical professional.

I will always recommend you consult your doctor. Do your homework and study everything you can about panic attacks and anxiety. By doing this you have already started the process to ending your anxiety and panic attacks. I recommend a book and audio called “A Guide to Eliminate Stress and Anxiety” I have placed a link at the top of my site where you can take a look at it. This guide has help many.

Feel free to visit some of my sites Stop Anxiety Attacks and Stop Panic Attacks



By: Paul Schmitt

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I would like to know whether Ayurveda has any remewdy for panic attack. I shall be thankful for the name of the formulation and the manufacturer.

By: arhari

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