Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are intense anxiety experiences that are usually accompanied by symptoms in the affected person’s body and thinking which can occur unexpectedly during early stages of panic disorder illness. They are sudden episodes of intense fear or anxiety associated with several physical symptoms (e.g., palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath) many of which are also symptoms of heart disease - the leading cause of death in North America.  One of the greatest fears among patients with Panic Disorder is that they are dying of a heart attack. Panic attacks are a common symptom of anxiety, with one in ten people in the UK suffering a panic attack every day. Panic attacks are often triggered by recent stress in your life and are an extreme form of anxiety which can occur at unexpected times, often leaving sufferers afraid of venturing into public places ( in case of an attack).

Panic attacks are NOT easy to deal with but by definition are self-limited and peak quickly, usually within 10 minutes. Symptoms that persist continuously for longer periods suggest other causes. Panic attacks are very frightening to those experiencing them and to those around them. Having said this panic attacks are fairly common and having one does not mean that you have panic disorder. For example, if you are feeling very stressed or overtired, or if you have been doing excessive exercise, you might have a panic attack. They are sometimes caused by our reactions to traumas, whether accidents or health traumas.

Panic attacks are not harmful in themselves, and do not lead to heart attacks, loss of control, mental illness or death. However, they do impact quality of life and can be very debilitating to those who suffer from them, severely limiting their activities and enjoyment of life.

A combination of counseling and medicine is considered to be the most effective treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder. Counseling does not work as fast as medicine, but it can be just as effective.  Remember that you should always consult a doctor when such attacks take place, but keep in mind that panic attacks are in fact quite common amongst people today. Remember this next time you have a panic attack; the causes of panic attacks cannot do you any physical harm. Your mind may make the sensations continue longer than the body intended, but eventually everything will return to a state of balance.

Cognitive-behavioral approaches, developed more recently, also treat panic attacks directly. These treatments involve cognitive restructuring,  that is, changing of maladaptive thought processes and are generally used in combination with a variety of behavioral techniques, including breathing retraining and activities that target exposure to bodily sensations and external phobic situations.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy also shows tremendous benefits, in combination with medication or without,  because it targets the source of future attacks: the thoughts.  A combination of cognitive restructuring (that challenges catastrophic thinking) and behavioral strategies (that gradually expose the person to the anxiety-arousing situations) are the most successful techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy is normally provided by a psychologist, psychiatrist or mental health worker.

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Joe Barry is an international panic disorder coach. His informative site on all issues related to panic and anxiety attacks can be found here: http://www.panicportal.com