Although they generally are not a very significant issue, panic attacks are potentially a real problem for some individuals. They can range from mild to severe in intensity, and may or may not have an identifiable cause. There are treatments available to help those suffering and plenty of information on the topic for those interested.
Also known as an anxiety attack, a panic attack will manifest differently from individual to individual. It is typically defined as a sudden episode of emotion. These episodes will vary in severity and length. They are often mild, but can be very traumatic and debilitating. An attack can last anywhere from several seconds to several minutes. They can occur for no reason, but may also be caused by various types of triggers.
These attacks are very common. For most people they are very infrequent, often only occurring once or twice over the course of their lifetime. Others, unfortunately, may suffer with the issue chronically. When this is the case, it can be a sign of a chronic condition known as panic disorder. Once dismissed as merely nerves or stress related, panic disorder has since become recognized as a real and potentially serious medical condition.
The impact of these issues are usually only psychological, but they can impact our professional and private lives. Although the attacks cause no serious effects to your health, they may occur at very inopportune times that may present danger, such as while driving a car or while doing some other potentially dangerous activity. Generally the greatest impact is on our social lives. It may prevent people from doing the things that they love or may impact their social lives and professional career in some cases.
The causes of these episodes are a bit mysterious and often difficult to identify. Sometimes there is a psychological trigger that causes the events. There are also many factors that increase risk. These include an individual’s genetics and their family history, as well as a variety of mental health issues. Other potential factors include stress, sleep patterns, and dietary habits.
During the onset of these episodes there will usually be a combination of one or more mental and physical symptoms. Mentally, the individual will begin experiencing a sudden and often intense emotional state. These emotions often include fear, depression, apprehension, guilt, or an immediate or impending sense of danger. Physically, the heart rate generally increases while the individual may become shaky and sweaty. They may also experience nausea or shortness of breath.
There are many treatment methods for those who need them. Often, something as simple as stress relieving exercises and breathing techniques can be enough to stall the attack and relieve symptoms. Other times, cognitive behavior therapy is utilized in an attempt to address whatever mental issues and triggers may be causing the panic attacks. A doctor may also prescribe numerous types of medications that may help the individual suffering. Doctors also advise that you get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.
Panic attacks are very common and rarely serious. However, they can have adverse effects on the life of the sufferer and can present some potentially dangerous situations if they occur at bad moments. For this reason, an official diagnosis should be done by a doctor. Your doctor can then direct you toward the treatment method that is appropriate for you.
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