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Panic Attacks
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, panic attacks is one of the many Anxiety Disorders. The Manual describes Panic Attack as “a discrete period in which there is the sudden onset of intense apprehension, fearfulness, or terror, often associated with feelings of impeding doom” (American Psychiatric Association, 1994, p. 393). The symptoms of a panic attack commonly last approximately ten minutes. However, panic attacks can be as short as 1-5 minutes,
Panic attacks affect people differently. Long time sufferers of panic attacks may be able to completely 'ride out' a panic attack with little to no obvious symptoms. On the other hand, first-time sufferers may fear that they are having a heart attack or a nervous breakdown and usually wind up in the emergency room. Many who suffer from panic attacks state they are the most frightening experiences of their lives.
Symptoms of Panic Attacks
Although most sufferers report many of the symptoms listed below, they do not all have to be present to be considered a panic attack.
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Fear or sense of dying, experiencing a heart attack or "going crazy"
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Chest pains or discomfort
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Feeling faint or dizzy
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Shortness of breath
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Heart palpitations
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Feeling of losing control
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Sweating
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Numbness
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Chills or hot flashes
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Trembling or shaking
What Causes Panic Attacks?
Numerous studies indicate the possibility of sufferers having a genetic predisposition, or a biological malfunction and/or high levels of stress.
All ethnic groups are vulnerable to panic disorder. Women are twice as likely to get the disorder as men.
Treatment:
Therapy for panic attacks should focus on the physical and psychological aspects of the disorder. Most specialists agree that a combination of cognitive and behavioral therapies are the best treatment. Some progressive clinicians are also utilizing alternative therapies such as hypnotherapy and biofeedback to treat panic disorders with great success. Medication might also be appropriate in some cases.
For more information:
American Psychological Association: http://www.apa.org/topics/anxietyqanda.html
Wikipeida: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_attack
