Each year, 6 million American adults will suffer from panic attacks. This is roughly three percent of the population. The episodes can be extremely severe or relatively minor. Some find themselves unable to leave the house because they are terrified of having an attack or having one triggered by what they will experience in the outside world. There is no cure for this disorder; however, ongoing research has given doctors more insight and understanding into this condition than ever before.
Panic attacks, sometimes called anxiety attacks, are periods of intense and debilitating fear. They occur suddenly and without warning. For some, they last only a relatively short period of time while for others they can last for hours.
When experiencing their first attack, many people think that they are suffering a heart attack or some kind of nervous break down. Most people, when asked to describe how an attack feels, say that it is the worst feeling they have ever experienced. The physical symptoms can include shortness of breath, shaking, sweating, and nausea. The intensity can range from mild to agonizing.
There are many causes that can contribute to a person suffering from this disorder. Research has found that there is a genetic link and that the condition can be passed from parent to child. Having a family member with the condition does not guarantee a person will have the condition nor does a clean family history mean that a person will not suffer these attacks. Some medications have been linked with episodes of severe anxiety. Caffeine, nicotine, and other stimulants are believed to be contributing factors. An episode can also be triggered by certain situations. For example, social settings are the cause for many people’s anxiety and large groups of people can be especially frightening.
It is important to draw a distinction between psychological and physiological causes. While there can be a biological reason for the condition, it is more often the case that psychological factors are the biggest reason for the condition. Treatment must involve both the physical symptoms of the disorder as well as the underlying emotional and psychological triggers for the events.
Therapy is one of the most common treatments for this disorder. Mental health experts who specialize in anxiety disorders have the expertise to help patients identify why they have anxiety and find ways to overcome their fears. Many times patients find they feel better talking openly about their fears and help themselves by looking at their problems rationally rather than emotionally.
Medication may also be prescribed to help patients cope with this condition. Most people can go to their primary care doctor for help but some psychotherapists are also able to prescribed medications. Anti-anxiety drugs work to change the brain’s chemistry in such a way that prevents attacks from taking place.
Fear of being labeled a person with a mental health disorder prevents many people from seeking treatment. They are too embarrassed or too proud to come forward and believe that they can deal with the problem on their own. Those who seek treatment and ask for help will suffer fewer attacks and live healthier lives. There is nothing to be ashamed of. In this sense, panic attacks are much like the common cold or the flu. No one chooses to suffer from the condition and it is easily and effectively treated.
If you are looking to learn ways how to calm your nerves naturally then you are in luck! Author Steve Pavilanis used to suffer from panic attacks and extreme social anxiety and can teach you exactly how to stop a panic attack naturally right away.