A panic attack is a sudden, intense experience of fear and anxiety that can be overwhelming and come on without warning. They are characterized by various physical and emotional symptoms: a rapid heart beat, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness and feeling of impending doom. Although panic attacks are not life threatening, they are extremely distressing and can stop you from functioning in everyday life. Knowing what causes panic attacks, what the symptoms are and how to cope with them can give individuals the upper hand in fighting the problem.
What Are Panic Attacks?
A panic attack is the sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort lasting for several minutes, often accompanied by physical symptoms including heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath. Most people also describe feeling detached from reality or fearing they’re ‘losing it’ or having a heart attack. Triggers can bring on panic attacks or they can happen seemingly out of the blue. While they can sometimes be part of a wider anxiety disorder as panic disorder, they may also occur in response to stressful situations.
Common reasons for panic attacks
Panic attacks aren’t due to one single cause. Panic attacks sometimes have a genetic component — people with a family history of anxiety disorders are more susceptible. On the other hand, major life stressors like death of a loved one, divorce or job loss can bring on attacks, too. Panic attacks may also stem from biological factors, for example having an overactive fight or flight response. Panic attacks may be more likely to occur in people with particular medical conditions, such as thyroid problems or heart disease. To find out the underlying cause of panic attacks, a psychiatrist in Rawalpindi can assist you.
Recognizing the Symptoms
The symptoms of a panic attack can vary from person to person, but common signs include:
- Racing or pounding heart
- Sweating or chills
- Shaking or trembling
- Feeling choked or shortness of breath
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or stomach distress
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- The fear of losing control of oneself, going crazy, or dying.
- Feeling of numbness (tingling) in hands or feet
For this reason it is important to understand that these are symptoms of panic attack and not a sign of a real medical emergency. Knowing this distinction, at least a bit, can alleviate some of the fear and anxiety during an attack.
Seeking Professional Help
If panic attacks happen often and decrease your ability to live your life as you would like to, professional help is needed. It may take a psychiatrist in Islamabad to evaluate your symptoms and suggest the correct treatments that could be therapy, medication or the combination of both. Symptoms can be managed with antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications (and only ever under the supervision of a doctor).
Conclusion
Panic attacks are scary, but armed with the right tools and knowledge, they’re beatable. Panic attacks can be managed to a large extent by recognizing the symptoms, practicing what coping strategies you can, and getting help from a professional. If you or someone you care about is living with a mood disorder, remember that you are not alone: you can find effective treatments and support systems.
