Panic Attack

Overview

Panic attack is an intense series of fear and terror which triggers severe physical reactions. An attack can begin unexpectedly without prior warnings and can last for seconds and can go on for minutes to hours. However, it is important to note that panic attacks can be managed and can be kept under control.

What are panic attacks?
NHS characterizes panic attacks by a sudden wave of fear or discomfort or a sense of losing control even when there is no clear danger or trigger. Not everyone who experiences a panic attack will develop panic disorder, which occurs when a person gets two or more attacks in a row.

These attacks can affect mental health adversely in both the short term and the long term. Panic attack affects mental health in many ways, including:

• Increased anxiety and fear
• Avoidance behaviour
• Excessive stress
• Sleep disturbances
• Impact of self-esteem
• Social isolation
• Development of panic disorder
• Depression
• Impaired quality of life

Symptoms of Panic Attack

Symptoms of panic attacks vary from person to person, and therefore it is important to closely observe one's body. The worst situation in panic attack is a feeling of getting another panic attack while you’re having one.
However, here are some common symptoms and signs:

• Anxiety
• Heart palpitations
• Sweating or chills
• Nausea
• Hot flashes
• Abdominal cramping
• Shortness of breath
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Trembling or shaking
• Sense of terror
• Feeling faint, weak or dizzy
• Feeling of choking
• Fear of dying
• Fear of losing control
• Sense of unreality

Causes of Panic Attack

The exact cause of a panic attack is still not deciphered, but is considered that various psychological, environmental and biological factors play a crucial role. They include:

• Genes
• Stress and trauma
• Consumption of alcohol
• Phobias and specific triggers
• Sensitive temperament

Panic attacks can occur suddenly and without warning at first but they may get triggered by certain situations. These factors are the bridging gap and influence the panic attacks to interfere in our day-to-day tasks. Early intervention and detection would help in curing these aggressive attacks at the early stage.

Additionally, there are many risk factors which can influence the development of panic attack. Risk factors include:

• Major life stress
• Smoking or excessive caffeine intake
• A traumatic event
• Family history or panic disorder
• Major life changes
• History of childhood physical or sexual abuse.

It’s essential to be aware of these risk factors to take timely preventive measures such as having regular skin checks ups and keeping up with sun safety.

Prevention for Panic Attack

The risk of getting affected by panic attacks is higher if you have a family medical history or a past trauma but preventive measures are always recommended to save an individual from early influence and interference of panic attacks in their life. Preventive measures include:

Managing stress: Stress can cause panic attacks and play a major trigger in causing attacks. It is advisable to avoid stress and practising meditation, yoga or exercising regularly can help in managing stress.

Healthy lifestyle choices: Maintaining a balanced and fit diet, avoiding alcohol consumption and limiting smoking can reduce the chances of getting a panic attack

Regular exercise: Regular exercising not only keeps your body fit but also reduces the impacts of panic attacks. Exercising can help in maintaining an adequate body weight.

Adequate sleeping schedule: Following a fixed sleeping pattern and schedule, can help reduce stress, hence limiting the chances of panic attacks interfering with your day-to-day life.

Limit overthinking: An individual prone to panic attacks must avoid excessive overthinking to reduce the chances of getting panic attacks since an individual tends to overthink past instances, which isn’t a good sign.

Stick to your treatment plan: A prescribed treatment plan must be followed to prevent the risk of getting attacks as panic attacks can get really worse if left untreated.

It’s important to remember that preventive measures may work differently for different people. If you’re experiencing severe symptoms or attacks, you should consult a professional for personalized treatment.

The determination of the types is necessary for doctors to prescribe suitable medications to the individuals. The customization of the treatments is the right approach and the identification of triggers will be the best information for the individuals so that they can stay away from irritants to prevent any attacks or exacerbation. The severity of panic attacks must be kept under immediate consideration to provide effective treatment for the betterment of an individual.

Tests and Treatments for Panic Attack

To understand what your body is trying to tell you, doctors will run certain tests to diagnose what the actual problem is. These are certain methods that will be used:

Blood tests: Blood tests are held to check and identify thyroid and other possible conditions.

Physical exam: A complete full body check-up is performed to examine any other potential problem if there is any. An individual undergoes tests related to the heart as well such as ECG.

Psychological meeting: Psychologist visits are recommended and conducted in the initial treatment to check out the major problems causing panic attacks.

Doctors prescribe various medications for adults as adults are supposed to undergo several psychological meetings to identify potential problems which are causing panic attacks for accurate reading and treatment accordingly.
Panic attacks are completely curable. Here are the following treatment options for a panic attacks:

Psychotherapy: It’s considered as an integral part of treating panic attacks. Talk therapy can change unhealthy emotions, behaviours and thoughts which contribute and trigger attacks. Several types of psychotherapy include:

1.CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy)- In this therapy, an individual will discuss their thoughts and emotions with the mental health professional i.e. counsellor or psychologist. The professional will help the individual in identifying the triggers of panic attack, so that they can change and adapt accordingly. As an individual with panic attacks will respond differently to the triggers, the attacks may decrease or will stop ultimately.

2.Exposure therapy- In this type of treatment, an individual with panic attack is exposed to the triggers which are causing panic attacks. The individuals are sent in imagination repeatedly to get comfortable with the situation and become anxiety and panic free gradually. An individual will learn to live with panic attacks by going through it numerous times to get used to it so it doesn’t bother them anymore.

Medications: There are several medications that can help in treating panic attacks and panic disorder. Medications include:

1.Anti-anxiety medicines- Health specialist will suggest this medicine to prevent panic attacks. This will help in dealing with anxiety hence decreasing the effects of attacks.

2.Antidepressants- Several antidepressants can make panic attacks less severe and frequent. These medicines will help in limiting the chances of getting attacks.

Panic attack’s treatment is considered to start with the psychotherapies but its alternative involve treatment with medicine. These treatment options include the optimum stage of an individual affected with panic attack. Regular check-ups are essential to track the signs of recurrence if there’s any and it’s essential for an individual to take a safe path of immediate intervention to prevent potential side-effects and the risk of panic attack.

Meanwhile, managing a panic attack becomes equally necessary to deal with it in the long run. However, an individual can incorporate:

• Deep breathing to regulate and calm your nervous system
• Can seek support from the psychologist or counsellor
• Can challenge negative thoughts to overcome the fear of getting another panic attack.