Panic Attack

What is a Panic Attack?

A panic attack can be characterized as a sudden, intense fear or anxiety resulting in intense side effects such as shortness of breath, dizziness, and heart pounding. Patients may feel out of control. A panic attack may also feel like a heart attack or a feeling that one is about to die.

In most cases, an attack may last from 5 to 20 minutes. The attack may also last longer (a few hours). The strongest part of anxiety is felt about 10 minutes after the attack starts. When these attacks become frequent, they are officially termed a panic disorder.

Patients may find panic attacks daunting and so bad that they obstruct daily activities. Professional treatment under the guidance of an experienced medical expert can help patients reduce the number of symptoms or even completely stop the attacks.

Panic attacks are more common among women than men.

Stages and Types of Panic Attacks

There are typically 7 phases to a panic attack, but not all attacks are the same. Some may vary in order, and some may skip a phase. The key is to pay attention to your attacks to see if you experience symptoms in a particular pattern. By tracking your symptoms, you will be better equipped to recognize and respond to them early.

If a discussion of panic attacks triggers you, consider reading this blog with a loved one who can work with you as you read through it.

The Phases of a Panic Attack include:

1. Onset of the Attack: One may get the attack while sitting at the work desk, casually walking, in the kitchen, or undertaking a normal daily activity. The attack may feel like getting struck with sadness and despair without any specific reason for it. Sometimes, the attack may arise from a taxing or stressful experience.
2. Desire to Escape: The second phase of anxiety begins with searching for a way out or looking for a distraction the moment the attack begins. This phase may make one feel like hiding. However, the strong urge to "flee" does not bring relief of symptoms.
3. Discomfort with No Relief: This phase will make you uncomfortable. Regardless of what you do, there is no relief from the feeling of distress. Some patients may experience dissociation from reality with no control over the body and experience.
4. Physical Symptoms: The body starts showing physical response to the brain's distress in the form of stuttering, sweating, heavy or rapid breathing, dizziness, increased heart rate, and nausea. Some individuals may suffer from blurred vision, blinking fast, dry mouth, or even become tearful.
5. Unending Fear: The individual may feel the need to visit a hospital or that the thoughts will never fade away. Patients will feel desperate for help, escape or get relief. Some individuals may even experience an overwhelming fear that they may die.
6. The Tipping Point: They may try all coping mechanisms, such as reducing their breath, coiling into a ball, taking a walk, distracting, etc. Some individuals may try coping using substances to get short-term relief. However, this does not help and, in most cases, intensifies symptoms.
7. The End: The individual will start feeling "normal" again. The heart rate lowers, the breath slows, and the mind gets clarity. This stage makes one feel calm or relieved and at ease.

Types of Panic Attacks

Panic attacks vary in intensity and duration. These also differ according to events and objects that prompted the attack. A Panic Attack can be categorized into two separate types of panic attacks:

• Expected Panic Attacks: Expected attacks are foreseen when a person is subjected to precise indications or panic triggers. A classic example of this type of attack is a phobia. An individual who fears heights or enclosed spaces may expect panic attacks when at a height or in cramped areas.
• Unexpected Panic Attacks: These attacks occur all of a sudden without any apparent cause or sign. An unexpected panic attack may hit when a person is relaxed or at ease.

Symptoms of Panic Attacks

Panic attacks typically begin all of a sudden at any time. These attacks may be occasional or occur frequently. Symptoms tend to peak within minutes. The individual may feel fatigued and worn out once the panic attack subsides.

Common symptoms of panic attacks include the following:

• Sweating
• Sense of approaching disaster or danger
• Fear of loss of control
• Fear of death
• Rapid, pounding heart rate
• Chills
• Nausea
• Trembling/shaking
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in your throat
• Headache
• Abdominal cramping
• Hot flashes
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness or faintness
• Numbness
• Tingling sensation
• Feeling of unreality
• Detachment

Panic attacks can cause intense fear of having another one.

Risk Factors of Panic Attacks

The following factors may increase the risk of developing panic attacks:

• Family history of panic attacks/disorder
• Major life stress
• Trauma (death or serious illness of a loved one)
• Sexual assault
• Serious accident
• Major changes in life (divorced or delivery of a baby)
• Smoking
• Excessive caffeine intake
• History of childhood physical
• History of sexual abuse

Causes of Panic Attacks

Experts are not sure why panic attacks occur. The risk of having panic attacks increases if it runs in the family, mental health issues, and substance abuse problems.

Prevention of Panic Attacks

The doctor treating you for a panic attack can give you tips and instructions on identifying triggers that cause panic attacks. Psychotherapy will help you learn practical strategies to manage the triggering of events and prevent an attack. The following actions combined with professional treatment will reduce your odds of getting a panic attack:

• Reduce caffeine intake
• Manage stress
• Exercise regularly
• Follow a healthy diet

Do not take any medications, herbal supplements, or over-the-counter medications without consulting the doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Diagnosis and Treatment