Panic attacks

A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that may occur for no apparent reason. A panic attack can be very frightening and may trigger severe physical reactions. During a panic attack, you might think that you're losing control, having a heart attack or even dying. Panic attacks were once dismissed as nerves or stress, but they are now recognised as a genuine medical condition.You may have only one or two panic attacks in your lifetime. But if you experience frequent panic attacks, you may have a chronic anxiety condition called panic disorder.

What are the symptoms of a panic attack

A panic attack can make your heart pound and you may become short of breath and flushed, and feel dizzy or sick. Because these symptoms may resemble those of some life-threatening conditions, it's important to seek an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Common symptoms of a panic attack include:

• A headache?
• Abdominal cramps ?
• Chest pain ?
• Dizziness ?or faintness?
• Flashing vision
• Hot flushes or chills ?
• Hyperventilation ?
• Nausea ?
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Palpitations, or rapid heart rate ?
• Shortness of breath?
• Sweating ?
• Tightness of the throat ?
• Trembling or shaking
• Trouble swallowing ?
• A sense of impending death

What happens during a panic attack

Panic attacks typically begin suddenly, without warning and in all kinds of circumstances.  You may be driving to work, in the middle of a business meeting, shopping, or even fast asleep. Unfortunately, panic attacks can greatly interfere with your life – and they may even endanger you, or others.
When you have an attack you may experience just a few of the symptoms above, or many of them, and after the attack has run its course, you may feel tired and worn-out.
An attack usually reaches its maximum intensity within 10 minutes and lasts about 30 minutes. However, there are many variations, so your panic attacks may last for hours or, on rare occasions, for an entire day. A panic attack can be a single episode that last for just a few seconds, or it may occur as a series of episodes over a period of a few hours.
One of the worst things about panic attacks is the intense fear that you'll have another. That may lead to you avoiding situations in which they may occur, which in turn can lead to you becoming unable to leave your home (agoraphobia), because nowhere away from home feels safe.

What causes panic attacks

Panic attacks are often experienced in conjunction with anxiety disorders and other physiological conditions, but they do not always indicate a mental disorder.
Panic disorder has been found to run in families, so it may be a condition that is inherited. But many people who develop the disorder have no family history of it.
Attacks may be triggered by exposure to a phobia or may occur as a result of a serious personal loss, such as the death of a loved one.
Environmental factors may also be involved, such as cumulative stress experienced over a long period of time, or an over-cautious view of the world transmitted by parents to their child.
Certain chemical substances, mainly stimulants but also some depressants, can trigger or directly induce panic attacks or even a panic disorder.

What treatments are there for panic attacks

Although panic attacks can significantly affect your quality of life, treatment is very effective. It can include medications, psychotherapy and relaxation techniques to help prevent or control the attacks.