The American Psychological Association states that panic attack symptoms can commonly last for 30 minutes, but can be as short as 15 seconds. Panic attacks can also be cyclic in nature, meaning they will appear as a short series of attacks which persist for an extended period of time, possibly lasting several hours.

In addition to the panic attack itself, sufferers can also experience something called anticipatory anxiety, which is a fear of a panic attack in similar situations in which attacks have occurred before. The symptoms of anticipatory anxiety are very similar to the symptoms of the panic attack itself.

Panic attack symptoms will vary from person to person. It is not uncommon for first time sufferers to believe they are having a nervous breakdown or heart attack and call for the emergency services. Suffering a panic attack can be one of the most frightening and upsetting experiences a person can go through.

Panic attack symptoms

People who have suffered a panic attack often report one or more of the following symptoms;

• Sense of dying
• Detachment from reality
• Feeling of going crazy or losing control
• Heart attack
• Flashing vision
• Faintness, dizziness and nausea
• Tingling and numbness throughout the body
• Heavy breathing
• Hyperventilation
• Shortness of breath
• Tunnel vision
• Overwhelming urge to run or escape
• Trembling and shaking
• Heart palpitations
• Chest pain
• Hot and cold flushes
• Burning sensation especially around the face and neck
• Sweating
• Choking and smothering

A panic attack can be distinguished from other forms of anxiety disorder by its sudden onset and intense symptoms. It’s not uncommon for sufferers to react with alarm to initial symptoms of a panic attack such chest pain and shortness of breath and for this to speed up the onset of a full blown panic attack.

Causes of a panic attack

There are many possible causes of a panic attack and the triggers will be different for each individual sufferer, but there are common themes which run through them.

Hereditary — Panic attacks have been found to run in families which suggests that panic disorders can be inherited. But, there are many cases where the family has no history of a panic disorder so it cannot be assumed that children will develop the anxiety disorder of their parents.

Biological — It is believed that panic attacks can be triggered by certain conditions including the following: hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, Wilson’s disease, mitral valve prolapse, pheochromocytoma and inner ear infections, vitamin B deficiency caused by an inadequate diet or depletion due to parasitic infection from tapeworm, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder.

Stimulants — People who are sensitive to stimulants also tend to be more prone to anxiety and panic attacks. Substances such as nicotine, caffeine, pseudoephedrine, Ritalin, Adderall, cocaine and amphetamines can often trigger an anxiety attack or increase the severity of symptoms.

Panic Attack is from Panic Attacks

Also, the symptoms can include a shortness of breath and shaking or trembling, which is worse when the attack first begins. A typical attack can last for up to half an hour, but this varies from person to person.

Low blood sugar is one cause of panic attacks

The intensity of such attacks can vary, but the more intense and severe ones will cause the sufferer a lot of fright which in turn can have longer lasting effects. The attack is generally very irrational though a factor that does seem to contribute to the onset of panic attack is low blood sugar. In fact, according to studies made on the subject of panic attacks it has been firmly established that there is a connection between this condition and puberty.

Not understanding what causes a panic attack isn’t very reassuring to the sufferer; nevertheless, it is possible to take certain measures with which to manage a panic attack. For one, using different kinds of relaxation methods can help; medication and antidepressants are also helpful and widely used. The sad part is that no one single remedy has been proven to be most effective in all cases. The chances of suffering from panic attack though can certainly be reduced by lowering stress levels.

Another disturbing fact related to panic attack is that if the problem is not treated or ignored the attacks will last for many years. The good news is that panic attacks can be treated effectively and a patient will respond well to various types of treatments though the duration of the treatment will vary from person to person.

Some people will respond well to treatment only to go on to experience fresh bouts of panic attack when they become older. Others may be able to overcome their problem with a single treatment and that will be the end of it.

For those who suffer from panic attacks there is plenty of hope – bearing in mind that everyone is different – that an appropriate treatment will help them overcome the problem. Even if you happen to be suffering from anxiety panic attack you don’t need to worry too much. By consulting a professional healthcare giver, you will get sound advice regarding the best treatment options as well as learn about steps that will help minimize the risk of future panic attacks.

Panic Attack: What Exactly Is It is from Panic Attacks

As a start, you should do a bit of research about the different types of anxiety and panic attack. It’s important when looking for signs and symptoms of panic attacks that you understand the causes behind them. This will equip you more effectively to deal with any issues that arise.

The various signs and symptoms of panic attacks that you may come across

Because panic attacks are symptomatic of other illnesses, the causes can be wide and varied. We’re each very different and the conditions for bringing about a panic attack can be almost unique to each individual. That said, there are telltale signs and symptoms of panic attacks that are common to most people, and it’s these we’ll concentrate on.

If you, or the person you are worried about, exhibits any of the following behavior patters, it may well indicate an increased likelihood or potential of a panic attack;

• Extreme nervousness
• Unusually antisocial behavior
• Uncharacteristic lack of energy
• Depression
• Anger or anxiety that is out of character

Although it’s true that these signs and symptoms of panic attacks may well point to another condition or illness, it’s never going to be an exact science, and the best you can do is be aware that something is wrong and encourage the sufferer to visit their doctor as soon as possible.

The doctor will be more familiar with signs and symptoms of panic attacks and as such able to make a clear diagnosis about whether they are likely or not. Our job is more about keeping an eye for for possible signs and symptoms of panic attacks rather than trying to positively identify them. We can leave that to the medical professionals.

If anxiety and stress runs in the family, it’s going to be even more important that you are familiar with the signs and symptoms of panic attacks, but it’s also likely to be easier if you have some experience.

It can be easy to overlook or dismiss early signs and symptoms of panic attacks and put them down to other causes, but with practice the signs and symptoms of panic attacks will become obvious to us and we’ll be well prepared to take the necessary action.

Fortunately, with stress related issues, it’s often easier to prevent than to cure, and there are some basic things we can do to help. For instance, taking regular exercise can have a dramatic effect on our levels of stress. Eating healthy food will also help greatly when it comes to giving our bodies the nutrients they need to function properly. Needless to say, if we take these basic precautions we’re likely to see much less of the signs and symptoms of panic attacks.

Signs and Symptoms of Panic Attacks is from Panic Attacks

It’s when a woman reaches the point in life at which menopause becomes a fact, and hormones start to rear their head, often many times in the same day, that it may be a good idea to seek medical advice on the panic attacks menopause can trigger.

Unavoidably, men usually have little or no idea exactly what a woman goes through when menopause arrives. It’s not uncommon for women to start to feel down and depressed, and thus increase the likelyhood of the panic attacks menopause can sometimes bring about.

Although panic attacks can be far more prevalent during menopause, it would be unfair to blame the anxiety on menopause itself. Panic attacks can occur at any time during a woman’s life, but menopause can be a contributing factor to the onset of panic attacks.

As with any illness, panic attacks left untreated can practically take over your life. And there’s no point hoping they will go away on their own. When a trend of panic attacks sets in, it can easily develop into a much greater problem and it really should be tackled when it first becomes apparent.

Panic attacks, menopause and related issues

Menopause itself is a difficult thing for many women to deal with. The first impulse is to ignore it, or pretend that it’s something else. This attitude is exactly the same one that gives a foothold to panic attacks, menopause and other conditions without you realizing.

As the anxiety slowly begins to develop, a lot of women try to prevent it through sheer willpower. Of course this won’t work because the anxiety affects your state of mind, completely undermining all your good intentions. Without you realizing it, the anxiety will attach itself to many areas of your life before you recognize it, and before you know it there is a real problem.

Sharing the problem with friends or other women you trust will help you come to terms with what is happening. It will bring the issue out into the open, and things never look so bad in the light. As you discuss it, you’ll find it easier to deal with, and you’ll also be preventing it from getting any worse.

It’s always worth taking the time to listen to your body, and it really will help to talk about these things with someone you can trust.

Panic Attacks, Menopause and Hormones is from Panic Attacks

I take a lot of caffeine during each day. I drink tea like there’s no tomorrow, and no, I won’t drink decaf tea – it’s the worst stuff I’ve ever tasted. The question is, can caffeine cause, or at least contribute to, the onset of panic attacks?

Well, it seems that as far back as Jul 1997, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) encouraged scientists as well as public consumer groups to submit a petition to the FDA to include warning labels on all products that contained caffeine. Although it was required to disclose the actual amount of caffeine in a product, most companies are only indicating that caffeine is an ingredient.

According to CSPI, there are quite a few potential adverse effects of caffeine on our health, and although panic attacks are not specifically mentioned by the CSPI, but having some sort of warning label on caffeine products has got to be a good idea for people suffering from panic disorders. We know that caffeine and panic attacks are closely related because caffeine increases anxiety as well as causing insomnia – two conditions that can make people more susceptible to panic attacks.

We know the effects of caffeine on panic attacks will vary from person to person, but nevertheless anxiety disorder specialists still recommend that people prone to panic disorders avoid caffeine, and let’s face it, that’s not easy for people like me that consume caffeine on an hourly basis. And that’s not even taking into account the fact that completely eliminating caffeine often results in something close to withdrawal symptoms, with headaches and fatigue that can last for days.

So, if you’re going to thwart these panic attacks which may or may not be caused by caffeine, you might have to stop consuming caffeine anyway, even though caffeine consumption doesn’t necessarily lead to a panic attack.

Why? Because there is still evidence that strongly suggests a link between caffeine and panic attacks, as with marijuana, cocaine and amphetamines. No, I’m not implying that you are taking any of those substances, it’s the relationship between these and other substances that destabilize the brain activity so that anxiety ultimately reaches the stage of being a panic attack.

How can caffeine cause panic attacks?

If someone has low adrenal function, caffeine consumption can lead to a panic attack because caffeine interferes with something called adenosine, which is a brain chemical that is used to calm us down.

Caffeine also raises our lactate levels and this is a known factor in producing panic attacks. Caffeine can be found in coffee and  tea as well as chocolate. It’s also in many soft drinks. A cup of coffee can contain about 100mg of caffeine, whereas a cup of tea might contain 30mg or 40mg.

Many experts have discovered and confirmed that caffeine as a stimulant will interfere with the natural tranquillizers in the brain. They conclude that the improper functioning indicates that caffeine may cause panic attacks.

To be honest, it’s not at all surprising that caffeine is not recommended for people suffering from panic attacks, but the problem is that caffeine is hidden in so much of what we eat and drink. If caffeine and panic attacks do go hand in hand, we’re all in a lot of trouble.

Just to bring this into perspective, it only takes a couple of cups of coffee to increase your heart rate. If you notice this and begin to worry, this can easily lead you to into a panic. I guess to be on the safe side, any of us suffering from panic attacks should at least limit our intake of caffeine. That’s not going to be easy.

Caffeine and Panic Attacks is from Panic Attacks

Public speaking and panic attacks

It’s a fact – for people who wouldn’t normally venture to speak at a public convention, panic attacks can appear so quickly that they immediately feel as if they can’t breathe.

A public speaking panic attack can be one of the more troublesome of all the different kinds of panic attack. If a person is lucky enough and gets through it the first few times it happens, the real problems can be averted. However, that’s not the case with many people.

It’s true that most people have had this kind of panic attack. I mean – who wouldn’t panic at the thought of speaking in front of a crowd of people? The problems come when we don’t manage to overcome the fear and things just get worse. There’s usually the feeling of not being able to breathe properly, often accompanied by a dry mouth. Then comes confusion and fear, followed by strange irrational thoughts of disaster and catashrophe.

If these panic attack symptoms sound familiar to you, you’re one of many who suffer from public speaking panic attacks.

The real danger with public speaking panic attacks is that they can grow so that panic sets in even when there is no public speaking. Eventually, the anxiety practically takes over the person’s life.

A lot of people who have suffered a public speaking panic attack can laugh about it afterwards – that is once they realize they haven’t actually died from the experience. But in truth, some people will suffer the after-effects for years. It’s important that these people contact a medical professional and seek guidance for dealing with the panic attacks.

Public speaking panic attack recovery

If it’s been a few hours or so since your public speaking panic attack and you are still suffering, it may be an idea to talk about it to someone else. It’s a proven fact that sharing your experience with another person who understands your situation can help a lot. If the panic attack symptoms persist even after talking to someone else, please do consult a doctor or medical professional.

Explain the details of your public speaking panic attack and the fact that it hasn’t gone away. It may be that your doctor can resolve the issues in one visit, but don’t worry about it if they can’t. It’s not uncommon for counseling to take a few sessions to have the desired effect.

The main thing to remember is that this is a curable condition and given enough time and understanding you can be cured of your public speaking panic attacks.

Public Speaking Panic Attack Problems is from Panic Attacks

Panic or anxiety attacks happen to at least one out of every three people. Panic attacks are a fairly common occurrence that happen to many people, no matter what their state of health, whether they are old or young, male or female.

These attacks can be some of the more frightening things to happen to you, but it’s important to remember that they are never fatal or physically harmful. Panic attacks generally last for between a few seconds to an hour – it’s never a permanent condition. If you have frequent or regular panic attacks, you may be suffering from other panic disorders including agoraphobia.

There are certain kinds of people who are more susceptible to panic attacks, such as people suffering from depression or anxiety, or people with asthma or diabetes. People who are taking amphetamines or who are in the process of withdrawal from tranquillizers may also be more likely to suffer panic attacks. Your doctor will be able to advise you and give you some useful tips to prevent panic attacks and to avoid your condition becoming any worse.

Understanding Panic Attacks

Before implementing any of the tips to prevent panic attacks provided by a doctor, you should understand your condition as much as possible to ensure you can follow the advice of your doctor properly. When a panic attack happens, your body is likely to feel breathless and you will start breathing fast. Your heartbeat will speed up, you may experience some chest pain, perhaps dizziness and numbness. You may start to sweat and feel hot and cold in rapid succession.

If you find yourself having a panic attack, you might well feel a terror of dying, or of some large catastrophe or doom about to happen. It will help to remember that you feel these things because of the physical reaction of your body caused by adrenaline. The false feeling of danger is a natural reaction to having adrenaline pumping round your system.

The Best Tips to Prevent Panic Attacks

When you’ve been looking for some effective tips to prevent panic attacks, you may have been advised by a doctor to practice the proper breathing exercises to help you keep calm during the attack. In fact, rapid breathing helps you expel carbon dioxide which could otherwise increase the level of panic attacks, which is why one of the more common remedies is to breathe into a paper bag, keeping it over your nose and mouth until you feel the panic start to lessen.

A lot of doctors recommend the simpler tips to prevent panic attacks, rather than the more exotic or even conventional cures. If these simpler solutions work for you there is no need for you to search for alternative treatments to cure your panic attacks or anxiety.

There are a few basic things you should do to help prevent panic attacks. Try reducing the amount of stress in your life, take regular exercises and if appropriate go on a diet. It will also help if you avoid consuming too much caffeine or alcohol. Also, learn proper relaxation and breathing techniques, whilst seeking support from your peers and facing up to your emotions.

It’s important that you try to master these habits and basic techniques – they will change your life and it’s highly likely that you will finally be able to overcome your fears enjoying freedom from panic and anxiety attacks without the help of medication or on-going therapy.

Tips to Prevent Panic Attacks is from Panic Attacks