When Fear Holds Sway

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

A panic attack episode often begins abruptly, peaks within 10 minutes and lasts about half an hour.  But panic attacks have many variations.  Signs and symptoms may include:

• Rapid heart rate
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Shortness of breath and hyperventilation
• Chills
• Hot flashes
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramping
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Tightness in the throat
• Trouble swallowing

Other health problems (such as an impending heart attack, an overactive thyroid gland or drug withdrawal) can cause symptoms similar to panic attacks.  It's not unusual for panic attacks to occur together with depression or substance abuse.  If you have symptoms of a panic attack, you must seek medical care.

WHAT ARE PANIC ATTACKS?

Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear that prompts physical reactions in the body.  between 10% & 20% of Americans experience a panic attack at some time in their lives.  Women are more likely than men to have panic attacks.

If panic attacks are frequent (four or more a month) or if fear of having them affects your activities you may have a condition called panic disorder.  This condition can become debilitating and destructive if left untreated.

As the frequency of panic attacks increases, a person often begins to avoid situations where they fear another attack may occur or where help would not be immediately available  This avoidance may eventually develop in agoraphobia, an inability to go beyond known and safe surroundings because of intense fear and anxiety.

Once dismissed as nerves or stress, panic disorder is now recognized as a potentially disabling but treatable condition.

CAUSES OF PANIC ATTACKS

Researchers aren't sure what causes panic attacks.  Heredity may pay a role; a person's chances of having panic attacks increases if he/she has a close family member who has had them.  many researchers believe the body's natural fight-or-flight response to danger is involved.

TREATMENT

Treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder is very effective;.  Most people are able to resume everyday activities;.  Treatment my involve:

• Education
• medication
• Therapy
• Relaxation techniques

Appropriate treatment by an experienced professional can reduce or prevent panic attacks in 70 to 90% of people with panic disorder.  Most people show significant progress after a few weeks of therapy.  Relapses may occur, but they can often be effectively treated just like the initial episode.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUFFER FROM PANIC DISORDER

Seek information, support an treatment for panic disorder from your doctor or mental health professional.