What is a panic attack?
Panic attacks strike with no notice, bringing fear, stress, and anxiety with them. Often, attacks take place without warning and without any apparent explanation. In some cases, panic attacks are a common daily problem while in others they are more uncommon. In people with regular panic attack episodes, this may indicate a connection between the panic and a place or situation. While it is normally harmless, panic attacks can severely disable a person physically, emotionally and psychologically. In extreme cases, panic attacks can lead to panic disorder.
Who Do Panic Attacks Effect?
The condition affects many individuals. This problem is so common that there are reports that as many as 1 in 10 people have difficulty with panic attacks. Young adults make up a considerable amount of the population who are more prone to have these attacks. Women are at a disadvantage over men with more females than males being prone to panic attacks. It is also said that the condition is genetically inherited so panic attacks may run in the family.
What Should I Look For To Tell If I’m Having A Panic Attack?
There are various signs that point to a panic attack. These signs may include increased heartbeat or palpitation, chest pain, hyperventilation or shortness of breath, stomach churning, upset stomach, trembling and shaking, muscle tension, sweating, dizziness and light-, hot or cold flashes, tingling sensation or numbness, fear of dying, going crazy or losing control and feeling detached from the surroundings.
Many indicators of a panic attack are similar to a heart attack. Panic attacks seldom result in long term injury, but heart attacks can. It is a good idea to try to find medical attention to make certain that it really is a panic attack and not something more perilous.
Why Do People Get Panic Attacks?
Often, there is no exact cause for panic attacks. In other cases, an event or situation in the person’s life can be responsible for the onset of panic attacks. Places and similar situations to past conflict could also cause a panic attack to come on.
Stress is also known to have an effect on anxiety and panic. Triggers include traumatic life event as well as stressful working and living environment. Genes and heredity may also play a role in panic and anxiety.
What to Do In A Panic Attack
Panic attacks peak from 5 to 10 minutes; it hardly ever lasts for greater than half an hour.But in the course of this time, you can experience discomfort such as those signs and symptoms mentioned above. When you are having a panic attack, your heart rate raises. For this reason, controlled breathing is essential. Slow, deep breaths calm your system. Breathe in while counting to three and breathe out while counting to three.
Do this until you’re calm. If you are able to stand, get up slowly and pace around. Some people like breathing in to a paper bag. By doing so, you can re-inhale your carbon dioxide. This approach regulates blood acid levels that suffered due to frequent breathing
Make certain to clear your mind of the immediate stress while doing this exercise. Swap your anxious thoughts with cheerful ones. You can also try distracting yourself with other things such as puzzles and thinking games.
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