What is a Panic Attack?
Let’s face it; experiencing a certain amount of anxiety is virtually inevitable nowadays, and providing it doesn’t get out of control, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Of course, when anxiety does get out of control, this psychological problem manifests itself in a very physical way, such as in panic attacks.
So, what exactly is a panic attack? A panic attack can best be described as the immediate onset of a severe amount of anxiety that occurs with very little warning. When a panic attack occurs, the symptoms are unmistakably clear. These symptoms involve rapid breathing, chest pains, dizziness, and disorientation. Yes, these symptoms sound dangerously close to a heart attack. Often, that is exactly what people suffering from a panic attack will believe they are experiencing.
Of course, the onset of such an attack can result in a great deal of fear for the individual experiencing it. (The reason why it’s called a panic attack) As a result, a person who experiences severe and frequent panic attacks can suffer a huge loss in the quality of life. This is primarily because those who are experiencing frequent panic attacks will be limited in the activities they do, due to the threat of the condition always being present.
What causes some people to have panic attacks is not known. This is not a totally unexpected thing since they do start in the mind which is not totally understood. But there are also certain things that can add to the panic attack. The use of drugs and alcohol, keeping frustrations bottled up, depression and genetics can all be contributors to panic attacks.
If a panic attack starts, the main objective is to try and keep it to a minimum. Yes, saying it is certainly the easiest part but this does not change the fact that it is still the main objective as the panic attack starts. Slowing your breathing down has been found to be one of the main ways of lessening the attack as it is happening.
Of course, if anxiety and the resultant panic attacks could be controlled simply by doing a few breathing exercises, anxiety would not be considered a problem in the first place. In other words, if you suffer from anxiety, it’s crucial that you consult with a duly qualified health professional in order to receive adequate treatment.
Therapy may not be the entire answer for problems that are anxiety related. Consider your need for psychotropic solutions which may become a necessity. A complete psychiatric evaluation will be necessary before a psychiatrist would prescribe these drugs. By keeping to the schedule that is recommended by your doctor for the medicine, there may be a big difference in the rate at which the attacks occur and how severe they are in turn helping you to get a handle on the attacks.
Regardless of the method you explore, it is possible to get a handle on issues related to panic attacks. While the condition is most definitely severe, it is not untreatable. As long as you can recognize the problem you will be able to seek help. Once you seek help you can take the steps to deal with it and, hopefully, be free of it.
