- Panic attacks - fear of nowhere
- Causes
Panic attack or panic attack - a sudden, inexplicable, painful bout of severe anxiety and intense fear that develops for no apparent reason and causes severe physical reactions. Panic attacks make depressing impression on the man himself and to others. At the time of the attack the man think that he loses control of his body, experiencing a heart attack or even die.
Everyone throughout life can survive one or two panic attacks. But if panic attacks are repeated more often, and you experience constant fear of the next attack, you may be suffering from chronic diseases, known as panic disorder.
Before panic attacks blamed on nerves or stress, but now doctors recognize them as a separate state, and is sometimes used to refer to them the term "vegetative crisis" and "cardioneurosis." Panic attacks can significantly affect the quality of your life, but the prognosis is favorable.
Symptoms of a panic attack
The physical symptoms of a panic attack - shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, sweating, trembling. Since the symptoms of a panic attack similar to the clinical picture of some life-threatening diseases, it is important to determine the exact diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Panic attacks usually occur a few or many of the following symptoms:
- sense of doom and impending death;
- rapid heartbeat and pulse;
- sweating;
- Strong tremors;
- shortness of breath;
- hyperventilation;
- chills;
- "Tides";
- nausea;
- abdominal cramping
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;
- chest pain
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;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- weakness;
- choking or shortness of breath;
- numbness or tingling in the limbs;
- confusion of thought.
Panic attacks usually begin suddenly, without any warning signs. A panic attack can begin at almost any time when you are driving a car, eat breakfast, go shopping at the mall, fast asleep, or lead business negotiations. The attack can take place in different ways, but the symptoms reach a peak within the first ten minutes and stored for about an hour. After the end of the attack, you may feel tired, nervous and physical exhaustion.
The most terrible panic attack - the strongest fear of losing control over themselves, their bodies and actions (for example, the fear of committing suicide), as well as the fear of a repetition of the attack. Repetitive and debilitating panic attacks may be a sign of panic disorder, a form of chronic anxiety disorder.
People suffering from panic disorder
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So afraid of panic attacks that try to avoid any situation that could provoke a panic attack, for example, do not leave the house, since only the four walls feel safe.
When you need to see a doctor
Noticing at any symptoms of a panic attack, as soon as possible, seek medical help. Panic attacks are difficult to control, and no treatment for their frequency and may get worse. In addition, the symptoms of a panic attack is similar to a number of other serious diseases, such as heart attack, so it is essential that the diagnosis, if you are not sure what is causing the symptoms.
The reasons for a panic attack
It is not known what triggers panic attacks and contributes to the development of panic disorder. Here are some possible reasons:
- heredity;
- stress;
- certain changes in the function of the brain.
Some studies suggest that a panic attack is a natural response to stress and the risk (so-called "fight or flight response"). For example, if yours is chasing a bear, your body will react instinctively heart rate quickens, there is shortness of breath. So the body prepares for a life-threatening situation. A similar reaction occurs when a panic attack. But science is not yet known why there is a panic attack when there is no apparent danger.
Risk factors
The symptoms of panic disorder often occur in late adolescence or early adulthood. Women are prone to panic attacks more than men. Many people are experiencing one or two panic attacks in their lives, usually in a stressful situation.
Factors that increase the risk of panic attacks or panic disorder include:
- a family history of panic attacks or panic disorder;
- severe stress
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;
- death or serious illness of a loved one;
- big changes in life, eg having a baby;
- experienced childhood physical or sexual abuse;
- traumatic situation such as an accident or rape.
