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What is a Panic Attacks?

Panic attacks are episodes of acute fears accompanied by strong symptoms, such as pounding and racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, tingling, feeling it is out of control, and more. Many people have just one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes, and the problem goes away, perhaps when a stressful situation ends. But if you've had recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, you may have a condition called panic disorder. Panic attacks are intense periods of fear or feelings of doom developing over a very short time frame up to 10 minutes.

What are the symptoms of panic disorder?

Panic attacks can happen in other types of anxiety disorders, too. Generally, if you have 4 or more panic attacks and if you always worry about having another, you have panic disorder. 

Symptoms of a panic attack may include:

  • Overwhelming fear (of losing control or going crazy)
  • Palpitations
  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sense of choking
  • Chest pain
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  •  LA feeling of being detached from the world (de-realization)
  •  Fear of dying
  •  Numbness or tingling in the   limbs or entire bod 
  •  Chills or hot flushes  
Panic attacks and panic disorder are not the same thing. Panic disorder involves recurrent panic attacks along with constant fears about having future attacks and, often, avoiding situations that may trigger or remind someone of previous or unexpected attacks. Not all panic

Ways to prevent panic attacks.

You need to try to work out what particular stress you might be under that could make your symptoms worse. It's important not to restrict your movements and daily activities. Doing breathing exercises every day will help to prevent panic attacks and relieve them when they are happening. Regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise, will help you to manage stress levels, release tension, improve your mood and boost confidence. Eat regular meals to stabilise your blood sugar levels. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking these can make panic attacks worse. 

Panic support groups have useful advice about how you can effectively manage your attacks. Knowing that other people are experiencing the same feelings can be reassuring. Your GP can put you in touch with groups in your area Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can identify and change the negative thought patterns that are feeding your panic attacks

What Else Should I Know About Panic Disorder?

People with panic disorder may be extremely anxious and fearful, since they are unable to predict when the next episode will occur. Panic disorder is fairly common and affects about 6 million adults in the U.S. Women are twice as likely as men to develop the condition, and its symptoms usually begin in early adulthood. It is not clear what causes panic disorder. In many people who have the biological vulnerability to panic attacks, they may develop in association with major life changes and major lifestyle stressors. There is also some evidence that suggests that the tendency to develop panic disorder may run in families. People who suffer from panic disorder are also more likely than others to suffer from depression, attempt suicide, or to abuse alcohol or drugs. Fortunately, panic disorder is a treatable condition. Psychotherapy and medications have both been used, either singly or in combination, for successful treatment of panic disorder.

How is panic disorder treated?

Treatment may include:

  • Anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications
  • Counseling, such as cognitive behavioral therapy

Treatment for panic disorders is usually quite effective. Treatment will help you learn to recognize that the symptoms are not life-threatening. You will also learn coping skills and ways to relax  to decrease the intensity and length of the panic attack.

When to see a doctor or therapist.

If you have panic attack symptoms, seek medical help as soon as possible. Panic attacks, while intensely uncomfortable, are not dangerous. But panic attacks are hard to manage on your own, and they may get worse without treatment. Panic attack symptoms can also resemble symptoms of other serious health problems, such as a heart attack, so it's important to get evaluated by your primary care provider if you aren't sure what's causing your symptoms.


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