Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder

Panic attacks and panic disorders - What exactly are they?

A panic attack is an unexpected, extreme fear or anxiety that could make you dizzy or short of breath or make your heart pound. You could feel things are not in your control. Few people think they are having a heart attack or are dying. Such as attack could last from 5 to 20 minutes although it could even last for longer durations or for a few hours. The anxiety is greatest after approximately 10 minutes after the attack begins. In case these attacks occurs often, it is known as a panic disorder.

Panic attacks could be terrifying and so terrible that they could restrict your daily activities. Treatment can provide relief to a lot of people resulting in fewer symptoms or altogether stopping the attacks.

Women are more prone to panic attacks than men.

Panic attacks and panic disorder - Causes

Experts are not sure of the causes for the occurrence of panic disorder and attacks. However, the body has a natural reaction in case of danger or stress. It increases the heart rate, causes faster breathing and gives you an energy burst. This is known as the fight-or-flight response. It prepares you to cope with or escape danger. A panic attack is caused when this response occurs even when there is no danger.

Panic disorders and attacks could be a result of family history of panic disorder or due the imbalance of brain chemicals. Sometimes, they could happen without a clear cause.

Panic attacks could also result from:

* Health problems, for instance heart problems, overactive thyroid (known as hyperthyroidism), or breathing problems.
* Alcohol abuse.
* Using prohibited drugs for instance cocaine or marijuana.
* Depression.
* Taking certain drugs, like for the treatment of heart problems and asthma.
* Having too much caffeine or nicotine.
* Leading a life high stress levels for a long time.

There is a higher chance of having panic disorder in case any of your parents suffer from bipolar disorder or depression.

Panic attacks and panic disorder - Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of a panic attack are:

* A feeling of extreme terror, anxiety or fear.
* Difficulty in breathing or very fast breathing.
* Chest tightness or pain.
* Rapid heartbeat or irregular heartbeat.
* Nausea.
* Tingling or numbness.
* Sweating.
* Giddiness and shaking.

Other symptoms of panic disorder might include:

* Repetitive panic attacks at what time there is no cause for the acute stress response.
* Altering your daily activities since you fear having another attack.

Some people are afraid to be in crowds, stand in line, or to go to shopping malls. They might fear having a panic attack or of being unable to escape. This problem is known as agoraphobia and could be so terrible for some people that they might not leave their homes at all.