Panic Attacks 101
Panic Attacks Explained…
A panic attack comes on suddenly, with a burst of fright and anxiety. On occasion, panic attacks can happen for no evident reason and hit without warning. For some, panic attacks happen regularly. Other folks may have them less frequently. If panic is a regular issue, it may be due to a specific trigger. This trigger can be a place, person, situation, or just about anything. While it is normally harmless, panic attacks can severely disable someone physically, emotionally and psychologically. Panic attacks can even develop into the more serious type of panic disorder.
Who Suffers From Panic Attacks?
Lots of individuals are susceptible to panic attacks. Some reports suggest that as much as 10% of the population struggles with panic attacks. They typically occur more with young adults. Women are at a disadvantage over men with more females than males being prone to panic attacks. Some scientists suggest that panic attacks run in family and may be genetic.
How Can I Tell If I’m Having A Panic Attack?
A panic attack might be recognized with assorted signs and symptoms. They include raised heartbeat or palpitation, chest pain, hyperventilation or shortness of breath, stomach churning, upset stomach, trembling and shaking, muscle tension, sweating, dizziness and light-, hot or cold flashes, tingling sensation or numbness, fear of dying, going crazy or losing control and feeling detached from the surroundings.
The signs and symptoms of panic attacks are much like a heart attack. While a panic attack won’t kill you, a heart attack can. It is best then to seek for emergency medical help, especially if the patient experiences it for the first time.
What is The Cause Of Panic Attacks?
Many panic attacks transpire without any obvious reason; they just come by chance. However, attacks could be caused by past traumatic experiences like death of a loved one, family conflicts, bad relationships, divorce of parents, car accident, public humiliation, etc. Sometimes attacks come about when a person is exposed to a place or situation that reminds them of a past conflict.
Other causes of panic attacks include stress. From life events to tense working or living conditions, all of these can be triggers. Genetics is also thought to cause an attack.
What to Do In A Panic Attack
Panic attacks might be between 5 and 10 minutes long on average. Rarely they can last as long as half an hour.Most of the above symptoms might be present. During a panic attack, you may want to control your breathing to keep your heart rate down. You should be taking slow, deep breaths. Breathe in slowly for 3 counts then hold your breath for the next 3 slow counts. Then, exhale for 3 slow counts..
Stay on this breathing pattern until you calm down. If you are able to stand, get up slowly and walk around. The old fashioned “breathe in to a paper bag” approach works for many. By doing so, you can re-inhale your carbon dioxide. This has the effect of regulating your blood acid levels that are disturbed by rapid breathing
Be certain to clear your mind of the direct stress while doing this exercise. Replace your anxious thoughts with cheerful ones. If available, do something that will take up your mind such as solving puzzles and playing word games.
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