Panic Attack

Panic attack has been used to describe the sudden onset of an episode of extreme fear and apprehension. It has also been described as an intense period of fear and discomfort in which several common symptoms appear suddenly and increase to a peak within 10 minutes.

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.