Many individuals suffer from one or two panic attacks during their lifetimes, but when these attacks occur more frequently they might indicate a medical disorder that requires investigation. To the average observer a panic attack might appear very scary and serious but, fortunately, most panic attacks are not dangerous. Panic attacks can significantly affect your quality of life, but in most cases treatment can be very effective.
What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.They often are of sudden onset and of variable duration of minutes to hours.Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you are losing control, having a heart attack or even dying. If you have had recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, and spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, you may have a condition called panic disorder. Panic attacks were once dismissed as nerves or stress, but they are now recognized as a real medical condition. Symptoms of panic disorder often start in the late teens or early adulthood and affect more women than men.
How do you know that you are having a panic attack?
In the vast majority of cases panic attacks occur very suddenly – without warning – and symptoms might vary. Panic attacks typically include a few or many of these symptoms:
• Rapid heart rate
• Sweating
• Sense of impending doom or danger
• Fear of loss of control or death
• Trembling
• Shortness of breath
• Hyperventilation
• Hot flashes
• Chills
• Headache
• Abdominal cramping
• Chest pain
• Fainting
• Dizziness
One of the worst things about panic attacks is the intense fear that you will have another one. Some of these symptoms can occur with many serious disorders such as a heart attack – therefore it is important to seek medical attention if you are not sure what is going on.
What causes a panic attack?
We really do not know what causes a panic attack, but research continues into this disorder. It is believed that several factors play a role: genetics, major stress and certain changes in the way parts of the brain function.
Complications of panic attacks
Left untreated, panic attacks and panic disorder can result in severe complications that affect almost every area of your life. You may be so afraid of having more panic attacks that you live in a constant state of fear, ruining your quality of life.
Complications that panic attacks may cause, or be linked to, include:
• Development of specific phobias, such as fear of driving or leaving your home
• Avoidance of social situations
• Problems at work or school
• Depression
• Increased risk of suicide or suicidal thoughts
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Financial problems
Treatment
Treatment will vary whether you have one or two panic attacks, if you have a panic disorder, or when you have frequent panic attacks. The goal of treatment is to eliminate all of your panic attack symptoms. With effective treatment, most people are eventually able to resume everyday activities.
The main treatment options for panic attacks are psychotherapy and medications. Your doctor, after carrying out a detailed history, physical examination and various tests to rule out other disorders, will be able to make the diagnosis and will recommend treatment options.
Conclusion
Experiencing a panic attack has been said to be one of the most intensely frightening, upsetting and uncomfortable experiences of a person’s life – and may take days to initially recover from it.Panic attacks and panic disorder occur more frequently in females than males. In the vast majority of cases the symptoms might appear very frightening and might mimic a heart attack or some other serious medical disorder. It is important for individuals having a panic attack to get treatment as soon as possible to help them from getting worse or becoming more frequent. Compliance to a treatment plan is important to help prevent relapses or worsening of panic attack symptoms.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
