Panic Attacks – Are they a cause for Panic?
Panic attacks are one of the most common psychological problems in the Western World, affecting 2-3% of the population in any one-year. Fortunately many people get over this with no need for treatment and when treatment is required, it is usually short and often successful. Panic attacks are extremely frightening. They seem to come out of the blue, strike at random, make people feel powerless, out of control, and as if they are about to die or go mad. Panic attacks are experiences of severe anxiety that may occur in an individual at any given time. Understanding the signs, symptoms and treatments of panic attacks allow you to get the situation under control.
Panic attacks are much more common than most people realize. Panic attacks in children are particularly distressing for children and parents or teachers. Panic attacks are not to be dismissed lightly. Sufferers of anxiety disorders and other psychological conditions involving anxiety often experience panic attacks, though panic attacks are not always indicative of a mental disorder, nor are they uncommon. In fact, some sufferers are not under any “fear” or any psychological illness but are under extreme amounts of stress and anxiety resulting in a panic attack or an anxiety attack.
Symptoms may include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain (or chest tightness), sweating, nausea, dizziness (or slight vertigo), hyperventilation, paresthesias (tingling sensations), vomiting, and sensations of choking or smothering. During a panic attack, the body typically releases large amounts of adrenaline into the bloodstream.[1] Symptoms usually begin before age 25. Although panic disorder may occur in children, it is often not diagnosed until they are older.[2]
Avoidance behaviors can severely curtail a sufferer’s enjoyment of life, but also cause the panic attacks sufferer to ‘support’ their panic disorder. Avoid drinking too much coffee since it increases the heart rate while smoking cigarettes constricts the flow of blood to the brain. Avoid cigarettes and alcohol. Eat regular meals and avoid processed foods and drinks, to keep blood sugar levels stable.
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