What is a panic attack?

Question

How can you stop it from happening?

Answer 1

Panic Attack
A Panic Attack is defined as the abrupt onset of an episode of intense fear or discomfort, which peaks in approximately 10 minutes, and includes at least four of the following symptoms:

a feeling of imminent danger or doom;
the need to escape;
palpitations;
sweating;
trembling;
shortness of breath or a smothering feeling;
a feeling of choking;
chest pain or discomfort;
nausea or abdominal discomfort;
dizziness or lightheadedness;
a sense of things being unreal, depersonalization;
a fear of losing control or "going crazy";
a fear of dying;
tingling sensations;
chills or hot flushes.



There are three types of Panic Attacks:
1. Unexpected - the attack "comes out of the blue" without warning and for no discernable reason.
2. Situational - situations in which an individual always has an attack, for example, upon entering a tunnel.
3. Situationally Predisoposed - situations in which an individual is likely to have a Panic Attack, but does not always have one. An example of this would be an individual who sometimes has attacks while driving.


Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder is diagnosed when an individual suffers at least one unexpected Panic Attacks, followed by at least 1 month of concern over having another attack. Sufferers are also prone to situationally predisposed attacks. The frequency and severity of the attacks varies from person to person, an individual might suffer from repeated attacks for weeks, while another will have short bursts of very severe attacks. The sufferer often worries about the physical and emotional consequences of the Panic Attacks. Many become convinced that the attacks indicate an undiagnosed illness and will submit to frequent medical tests. Even after tests come back negative, a person with Panic Disorder will remain worried that they have a physical illness. Some individuals will change their behavioral patterns, avoiding the scene of a previous attack for example, in the hopes of preventing having another attack.



Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia often, but not always, coincides with Panic Disorder. Agoraphobia is characterized by a fear of having a panic attack in a place from which escape is difficult. Many sufferers refuse to leave their homes, often for years at a time. Others develop a fixed route, or territory, from which they cannot deviate, for example the route between home and work. It becomes impossible for these people to travel beyond what they consider to be their safety zones without suffering severe anxiety.

The age of onset of Panic Disorder varies from late adolescence to mid-thirties. Relatively few suffer from the disorder in childhood.

Answer 2

OK, as someone who is fresh off medication for anxiety and panic disorders, let me take a crack at this: A fair few of the symptoms could be either, but all of them could be panic attacks. However, here are a few things which could help you determine which: Do these start after you've been thinking about your health, and wondering if you are OK. Panic attacks normally start with a thought, and build up based on it. Are you mentally confused at all during them? When I had panic attacks, I was never able to sit still. I would try to calm down and breath normally, but the slightest thing would set me off and I'd have to move. Does the shaking happen usually after things start to calm down. Your body produces a huge amount of adrenaline during a panic attack, and coming down off that causes shaking for people who have had panic attacks. If you really try had, and breath slowly and normally, and try to clear your mind, does this help it go away? Does the headache come after as well? I often got them from the physical exertion, which is usually quite extreme during a panic attack. I hope this helps...

Answer 3

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 4

A panic attack is an episode of 'Acute anxiety state". It is an attack of severe anxiety in the absence of a cause to be anxious about.It is prevented by several methods of learned relaxation technics.
Yoga,Meditation,and Relaxation response are useful.
Mildly acting sedatives,hypnotics and Haloperidol are drugs of choice.

Answer 5

a short term solution - always wear an elastic band around your wrist, when you start to panic keep snapping it against your wrist. it acts as a bit of a distraction and may help the attack to stop or lessen it.

Answer 6

That you suddenly start panicking. try to breathe normal. sit down. try to concentrate on nice things, think rational about what makes you panic, to take away the fear. Things that make you panic might not be so scary after all. It might be caused by stress. so if it is. try to relax and avoid stress. food and excercise help. i wouldnt take medication

Answer 7

My son has a Panic Disorder...he is only 11.He is on prozac now and doing much better.You have to ask yourself...is this something that i can use coping skills to aid?Or is it to bad to deal with on your own...If coping skills dont work for you,try meds to at least relieve symptoms.

Answer 8

I used to have them too. Just exercise. Run twice or three times a week and they will not happen any more. Even walking is very good. half an hour three times a week, or three ten minute stints.

Any is better than none.

Answer 9

Thank you Heather D, Simey4U and Jeff J for your insightful answers, next time someone has a go at me and sets me off and thinks it's funny to post about it online, I'll direct them to this thread

Answer 10

cant' breathe, heart is racing, terrible... the best way to stop it from happening is to find someone to talk with when you're getting it and just try not to analyse yourself. Get your mind off it somehow, it's difficult but it can be done. Another way: go to a shrink and get them to prescribe you Klonopil or something else for it.

Answer 11

It happens when your body is too stressed out either mentally or physically. If you have an anxiety problem then you should get medical treatment. Smoking or not getting enough rest can also cause them.