What You Need to Know About Panic and Anxiety Attacks

Panic attacks, also called anxiety attacks, are periods of extreme anxiety.  This anxiety usually comes on suddenly, without warning.  They can be incredibly frightening, especially if you’ve never experienced one before.  Some people will even call an emergency service because they fear they’re having a heart attack.  Fortunately, panic attacks are not dangerous to your physical health except that they can be exhausting.  While they don’t cause physical harm, they are mentally stressful and frustrating. 

There are several triggers of panic attacks.  The most common triggers are fear, anxiety, and stress.  You may not even realize the level of your stress or anxiety until you experience a panic attack.  Sometimes emotional situations or a lifestyle change can bring about severe anxiety.  Phobias are also known to cause attacks in some people. 

Other times large amounts of caffeine or other stimulants can be factors.  It is also possible for panic attacks to be hereditary.  Certain types of disorders and medications can trigger panic attacks.  If you think this could be the case for your attacks, you need to consult your physician.  They should be able to tell if there is a medical cause for the attacks.  Once they are triggered, panic attacks usually last an average of 10 minutes.  Some attacks can last only 1 minute.  Others can last up to 30 minutes.  If you have frequent attacks this is usually called panic disorder.  There are several symptoms you may notice with your attacks, some physical and some emotional. 

The most common physical symptoms are a rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing or hyperventilation, chills or hot flashes, nausea, headaches, and chest pain.  These are just a few of the physical signs of panic attacks.  Each person and attack may be different. 

There are also several emotional symptoms of panic attacks.  You could feel like you’re out of control, or you don’t know what to do.  Some people feel completely crippled by their fears. You could have a fear of dying or a fear that you’re going crazy.  There are some people who get an overwhelming since of doom and feel terrified.  Some extreme symptoms could include a feeling of being disconnected from your body or feeling like you’re in a dream.  There is no end to the feelings that could swallow you during your attack.  You just have to keep in mind that you’re not going crazy, even though you feel like you are. 

No one wants to live with panic attacks.  Even the fear of having an attack can send you into one.  There are different treatments you may want to try to get relief from your attacks.  You can talk to your physician about medications or therapy.  Hypnosis has also been shown to help with panic attacks.  If you want to try something on your own, there are several programs you can buy that will help you with your attacks.  You can find many good ones online.  You can also do some research online to find out what has worked for other panic attack sufferers. 

Until you find a good treatment, you may want to practice some relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.  Being relaxed is a big step towards being anxiety free.  The most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to live with panic attacks.  There are plenty of effective treatments to try.  You just need to find what works for you.