What is a Panic Attack?

What is the difference between panic and anxiety attacks? Anxiety is considered as an intense worry or scared feeling if under intense pressure or due to a stressful situation. It is a natural response from the body. When danger is coming it is kinda like an automatic alarm that goes off when there are trespassers.

So what is a panic attack? A panic attack is a sudden fear or intense panic that shows up instantly with or without reason. It can happen at any place or any time and to anyone. Some experts will say, a panic attack is a side effect from medicine withdrawal, heredity and many biological issues. If you think you would like to treat yourself, it is necessary to know the difference between the two attacks to have the right diagnose.

Panic attack is a sudden fear or intense panic that occurs instantly with or without reason. It can happen anytime, any place and to anyone. According to some experts, a panic attack is a side effect from medicine withdrawal, heredity and many biological issues. To understand better about panic attacks we will tackle the symptoms and causes.

Causes of panic attacks:

Heredity – means panic disorders have been running within the family and inheritance plays a big role to determine who gets it. There are some patients that do not have a family history of panic attacks that were diagnosed with it. Therefore, it is still best to take precautions and preventions whether or not you have a family history of panic attacks.

Biological – refers to physical conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, hypoglycemia, mitral valve and hyperthyroidism. Vitamin B deficiency from insufficient diet and periodic depletion caused by parasitic infections can also trigger panic attacks.

Phobias – defined as a strong fear of particular objects or animals. Exposure to phobic situations often result in panic attacks.

Lack of Assertiveness – withheld feelings like anxious or negative thoughts, avoidance of provoking panic situations and mistaken beliefs.

Medication, Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal – medication like ritalin and fluoroquinolone antibiotics may cause temporary side effects which cause panic attacks. Withdrawal syndrome and rebound effect is also part of the development of panic attacks.

Cognitive Behavioral Predisposition – situationally bound with panic attacks.

Symptoms of panic attacks:

With occurrences of panic attacks you may feel more or all of these symptoms, like sweating due to chills or hot flashes, impulsive feeling, trembling and shaking, palpitation and pounding of the heart, shortness of breath due to rapid increase of heart rate, blurry vision caused by nausea and dizziness, feeling of despair and being irrational, fear of losing self-control, heightened senses and fear of possible fainting.

Patients with panic disorder must be very careful and need to take treatments. Panic attacks can manifest complications into many serious illnesses like heart attacks, strokes, cardiovascular disease and can also develop into severe panic disorders such agoraphobia.

There are medications available to treat panic disorders like antidepressants, benzodiazepines, cognitive behavioral therapy and some self-motivated methods like understanding panic attacks by simply knowing more about the condition to relieve distress.

Avoid smoking and caffeine, it can provoke panic attacks in patients who are susceptible. Learn breathing techniques to control your breathing and eliminate hyperventilation sensations. Practice relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation to motivate yourself.