Panic attacks are episodes of intense fear and terror that can occur at any time without warning. They can last from a few minutes or much longer, even to several hours. In this article we will explore signs and symptoms of panic attacks.
Panic attack disorders are much more common than most people think. They affects about 1 in 50 Americans. Statistics show that women are twice as likely as men to suffer from it. People usually start having panic attacks in their early adulthood, but they may also develop earlier or later.
What causes panic attacks? Causes may not be obvious, but they seem to be a combination of genetic, psychological and environmental factors. Heredity, personality, stress, imbalances in brain chemistry, and big life events such as graduating from college, getting married, or having a child can all contribute to the development of the condition.
Panic in itself is nothing abnormal. It’s a perfectly natural and normal physical response to suspected danger, a part of a so called “fight or flight” response. But when this response happens in a non-threatening scenarios and becomes an uncontrollable part of everyday life, we say it’s a panic disorder.
Panic attacks are associated with many physical and emotional symptoms. The most common are chest pain, shortness of breath, hearth palpitations, sweating, shaking, dizziness, muscle pains, tingling, nausea, intense terror and anxiety, fear of going crazy, fear of losing control and fear of dying.
The symptoms usually happen suddenly, with no prior warning. Many people, when they first experience panic attack, mistake them for a heart attack. However, it’s important to know that panic attacks, although terrifying, are not physically harmful.
Panic disorders are treatable. It’s very important for people who suffer from them to seek medical care and discuss their problems with their doctor. Remember, most of these problems can be cured or at least greatly improved.
Because my daughter was 15 when I took her to the doctors with panic attacks, I was told she would grow out of it and was given no help.
Watching my daughter having these attacks was no fun so I had to look else where for help. I found a solution thank godness.To be fair i’m glad that the doctor was no help because I wouldn’t like to think she could have been on medication for the rest of her life.