panic attacks?

Question

what exactly happens when someone has a panic attack, and what do you do to prevent it? what would a doctor say?

i think ive been getting them, i dont know what to do, all that breathing stuff doesnt help, my boyfriend is making my life a misery and all i do is worry . i dont know what to do.

Answer 1

Panic attack symptoms are caused by a number of biological changes that occur during times of stress and anxiety. The human body is very resilient, even in times of anxiety we are strong, although we may not feel it. It's also very true that some people might be scared that their heart will stop, or give up, through the constant racing, thumping or chest pain, this is simply not true, again these are very common symptoms of panic attacks.
No one has ever come to any harm as a result of anxiety or panic attacks!

More Common Symptoms of panic attacks:

Rapid heart beat, pounding heart or palpitations
Sweating
Shaking visibly or inside
Choking sensations or lump in throat
Smothering or shortness of breath sensations
Chest pain or discomfort
Nausea, bloating, indigestion or abdominal discomfort
Dizziness or unsteadiness
Feeling light-headed
Derealisation (feeling unreal or dreamy)
Depersonalisation (feeling outside yourself or like you don't exist)
Fear of losing control or going crazy
Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations) in face, extremities or body
Chills or hot flushes
Skin losing colour
Blushing or skin blotches
Urgently needing to urinate or defecate

For treating I would recommend learning ways to relax yourself, breathing tehniques as well as, if possible, visiting a therapy. There are also many medications that could help - BUT NEVER take them on your own!!!!! Please visit the professional who will decide if you even need then, and if so which one would be of a greater help for you. Don't do it on your own, you can make it only worse!
Hope this helps! If you need somebody to talk to, feel free to write me on my email [e-mail]
All the best!

Answer 2

Panic attacks are a result of harmone rush - Adrenaline. When under a panic attack you have a higher activity among your five senses but like always excess is not good for the body. To control panic attacks which arise suddenly (not caused due to external factors like automobile accidents or mugging in progress or simply the Boss's anger) because of you thinking about something unpleasant can be controlled by relaxation techniques like deep breathing. Once into the panic attack breathe deeply and think of some happy moments and you will see the attack receeding. Also be sure to keep yourself hydrated
all day. Keep that bottle of water handy.

Answer 3

I too am a suffer of panic attacks (Isn't everyone in this day and age?)
My Doctor prescibed some anti depressants and sent me to a phychologist for some CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) It did help me a lot in understanding why I get them and also how to handle them better. Going to my doctor was the best thing I did.

Panic attacks are the body's fight or flight response to danger. Its normal to react to danger in this way.
It becomes a problem when it responds to a situations where there is no danger. Its kind of like having the body's alarm system on too high a setting.

A book I would greatly recommend is Mind over mood by Dennis Greenberger & Christine A. Padesky. Its the best on the market for understanding mood & anxiety disorders.

Answer 4

I've suffered from panic attacks. I usually start to feel a bit light headed and shaky, then unable to breathe. At first I used to think I was going to die. They can come on whenever, when you least expect it, and, for me, often about something that I haven't dealt with in the past, recent or otherwise. So how to 'stop' them is a difficult question to answer. Deal with your issues?! Easy to say, huh? I think the one thing that has helped me the most is that I read in huge letters in a flyer in a doctors surgery 'YOU CAN NOT DIE FROM PANIC ATTACKS'. when I get one, that's what I think over and over, and I calm down again. Hope you are not suffering too badly.

Answer 5

This might not be very cheerful, but I'm not going to give a fake answer. I don't think that there's any way to stop a panic attack that's already starting. It's pretty simple to prevent, though. Avoid the things that cause them. I would definitely not try psychiatry, though. Possibly a therapist who specializes in this general subject could help, but I think that common sense is better. Just avoid the things that cause you stress. If it's a person whom you love, though, I would sit down and talk maturly, person to person, about the issue.

Answer 6

I've had them on and off for 7 years, since the birth of my first child. I call mine anxiety attacks as that's what they feel more like. It feels like you're losing control, almost like about to go into a seizure or something. You get very dizzy, hot, heart racing, sweaty palms etc. Some people say they feel as if they're going to die. I find them to be exhausting, as the adrenaline that kicks in is full on! They say it's a bit like your body's alarm has been triggered off falsely; it's what they call the 'fight or flight response' which causes the symptoms. Just remember, they are just feelings; nothing bad is going to happen in reality. I try to distract myself with anything-music, eating an apple or breathing through alternate nostrils while holding the other one shut really regulates my breathing. It's a state of mind; while my attacks have never fully gone away, learning to accept and breathe through them has made them much easier to handle.

Answer 7

When I have panic attacks I get scared & even paranoid, along with rapid heart beat, shakes & a general horrible feeling. I've learned to recognise situations that cause them, such as busy places where I feel hemmed in & I do my best to avoid them. If I feel an attack coming on I get away from the situation asap.
A doctor might recommend an anti-depressive such as citalopram which are also used to treat anxiety.

Answer 8

My partner has panic attacks and feels frightened for no apparent reason. Best thing is to comfort the person and reassure till things pass. I have studied about panic attacks and found that keeping occupied with interests that they like helps the person a great deal.

Answer 9

I used to get panick attacks ! Still do sometimes but not afraid of them anymore !
my symptoms were :
dizzy / very fast heartbeat/ breathless
It is very scary when you get it ! I read it that you kinda get the same symptoms as someone getting a heart attack but you do have to calm yourself down and as someone else already said you can't die from it ! Don't be scared of it that's the most important!
I read a lot of books about it and that really helped me a lot !
breathing did help for me you have to count very slowly( which is hard I know when you panicky) to six as you breath in and then six out !!! It is though so hope you can beat it if you really have it !

Answer 10

As a Regitered nurse, Working in the UK, who has Suffered from Panic attacks, i would say that i wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy. From a work point orf view i am previlidged to see patients suffering from anxiety and the feelings of panic. Panic Attacks happen for many psychological reasons, but are basically a physical manifeatation of psycological duress. it is the physical symptoms of a panic attack that begin this cycle of anxiety, that leads them to believe that something awful is happening to them, ie a heart attack, a stroke or a nevous breakdown. oftern people hyper ventilate, which increases the carbon-dioxide levels in thier blood which precipitates a anxious feeling as it induces a CO2 shaking, and makes you feel awfull, then making you feel more anxious and so the cycle goes. medication helps tremendously, as does psycotherapy, particularlt CBT (Cocnative Behavioral Therapy, which just reliniates your rational thinking so you know not to panic when you feel a twinge in your chest, its just anxiety!