Description, Symptoms and Treatment of Panic Attacks
August 28, 2009 3:00 PM | Education | Video | Comments (0)
 | It's estimated that one out of every 75 people experience panic attacks which is a serious disorder. Panic Disorders usually appear during the teens or early adulthood. The exact cause of panic attacks is unclear, however, there seem to be a connection to major life events that are potentially stressful, such as having a first child, getting married, attending college, starting a job, etc. There is also some evidence that there is a genetic predisposition to panic attacks; such as a family member has suffered from panic disorder. So what exactly is a panic attack? A panic attack is a sudden surge of fear that can be overwhelming without cause or warning. It is way more intense than feeling stressed out that many people experience. (See video below). |
Video: A Typical Panic Attack
Symptoms of a panic attack may include:
- Chest pains
- Choking
- Rapid heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
- Paralyzing terror
- Trembling
- Excessive sweating
- Shaking
- Hot flashes
- Sudden chills
- Tingling fingers or toes
- Fear of dying
- Feel you may be going crazy
Panic attacks can be treated with psychotherapy, medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Anxiety medications to treat panic attacks include Xanax, Klonopin and Ativan. Antidepressants, such as Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Celexa and Lexapro, can help to reduce the frequency and severity of anxiety attacks. However, keep in mind that some of these drugs can actually cause anxiety symptoms of a panic attack so it’s best to start with a very low dosage. As always, you need to discuss this with your doctor.
Psychotherapy can be used for preventive and maintenance care for panic attacks. In some instances, psychotherapy alone can pretty much cure panic attacks.
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people deal with panic attacks by using techniques like breathing and muscle relaxation. Patients also gain reassurance that panic attacks will not lead to catastrophic events they fear.
One good technique to eliminating general anxiety and panic attack can be found at PanicAway.com. The program has successfully treated thousands of people over the last several years.
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