People that experience panic attacks experience sudden feelings of terror that are extreme and out of proportion to what the situation really is. Episodes of panic can strike anytime, even while the person is asleep. When it happens, the person going through it can feel that they are going to die and many believe that they are having a heart attack. There are several symptoms that people deal with when they are having an episode.
Some of the most common symptoms include a racing heart, difficulty breathing and a sense of terror or doom. Some people also experience chest pains, tingling and numbness in their extremities, especially their hands and fingers, cold chills and sweating, and feeling faint or dizzy.
For most, these attacks last 10 to 15 minutes, for others they may last much longer. Even after the attack is over, some people continue to experience the symptoms for a period of time. For example, once the dizziness goes away, the person may still have feelings of numbness in their hands. For people that experience these attacks on a regular basis are normally diagnosed as having panic disorder.
Up to 2 percent of the population, between the ages of 18 and 54 are affected. More women then men are likely to experience this disorder that starts in early adulthood. Many people become fearful because they do not know when the next attack will strike them. This fear, although it is exaggerated, is very real to the person that is dealing with it and can take over their life in such a way that they become fearful of even leaving their home.
Although most symptoms develop with some of life's major changes including marriage, birth of a child, and so on, it is unknown what causes some people to suffer with this disorder while others do not. Some studies have shown that the tendency to develop this illness is hereditary. Other illnesses including depression, drug abuse, alcoholism, and suicidal tendencies are often found in people that suffer with panic attacks.
Often phobias develop because of these fears. As an example, if a person has an attack while they are behind the wheel of their car, they may wind up with a fear of driving. Although it is irrational, it happens because they are afraid of having another episode while they are driving. This can even cause people to be too afraid to leave their own home.
This disorder is treatable. Many times psychotherapy or medications are effective. Most commonly used medications include beta blockers or antidepressants. These can be helpful in keeping symptoms at bay and episodes under control. When getting treated for this illness, many people find that they have very good results and are able to regain control of their lives.
Being educated about the symptoms to be on the watch for can help those that suffer with panic attacks be better prepared when another episode strikes. This may help ease their minds so that they know that they are not having a heart attack. Not knowing the symptoms to watch for can in turn cause symptoms to worsen as the person becomes more fearful that they are going to die or be struck with some other serious illness.
Some of the most common symptoms include a racing heart, difficulty breathing and a sense of terror or doom. Some people also experience chest pains, tingling and numbness in their extremities, especially their hands and fingers, cold chills and sweating, and feeling faint or dizzy.
For most, these attacks last 10 to 15 minutes, for others they may last much longer. Even after the attack is over, some people continue to experience the symptoms for a period of time. For example, once the dizziness goes away, the person may still have feelings of numbness in their hands. For people that experience these attacks on a regular basis are normally diagnosed as having panic disorder.
Up to 2 percent of the population, between the ages of 18 and 54 are affected. More women then men are likely to experience this disorder that starts in early adulthood. Many people become fearful because they do not know when the next attack will strike them. This fear, although it is exaggerated, is very real to the person that is dealing with it and can take over their life in such a way that they become fearful of even leaving their home.
Although most symptoms develop with some of life's major changes including marriage, birth of a child, and so on, it is unknown what causes some people to suffer with this disorder while others do not. Some studies have shown that the tendency to develop this illness is hereditary. Other illnesses including depression, drug abuse, alcoholism, and suicidal tendencies are often found in people that suffer with panic attacks.
Often phobias develop because of these fears. As an example, if a person has an attack while they are behind the wheel of their car, they may wind up with a fear of driving. Although it is irrational, it happens because they are afraid of having another episode while they are driving. This can even cause people to be too afraid to leave their own home.
This disorder is treatable. Many times psychotherapy or medications are effective. Most commonly used medications include beta blockers or antidepressants. These can be helpful in keeping symptoms at bay and episodes under control. When getting treated for this illness, many people find that they have very good results and are able to regain control of their lives.
Being educated about the symptoms to be on the watch for can help those that suffer with panic attacks be better prepared when another episode strikes. This may help ease their minds so that they know that they are not having a heart attack. Not knowing the symptoms to watch for can in turn cause symptoms to worsen as the person becomes more fearful that they are going to die or be struck with some other serious illness.
About the Author:
Many of the most effective methods how to relax naturally may really surprise you. It's much easier than you think, and I can show you how. I used to suffer from panic attacks and extreme social anxiety and can show anybody how to stop panic attacks naturally and live a more relaxed life.
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