When we think about fear, we know that it is a natural instinct of the humans when we are facing dangerous and threatening situations. The fear will trigger the adrenaline flows that prepare our bodies to fight for our survival or to escape from the danger. This is what normally termed as the fight or flight reaction. This is almost inherent in our normal lives that the reaction will kick in during times of danger or fear of threats. Nevertheless, when this reaction leads to a prolonged state of fear that cannot be removed, it suggests possible panic symptoms occur.

What are panic attacks? Panic attacks are marked by persistent and chronic condition of fear and dread. Feeling of fear is itself a natural emotion, however, panic attacks cause fear that is exaggerated and overwhelming that can be provoked in absence of any dangers or threats at all. The attacks cannot be explained in terms of its cause that is, production of adrenaline and changes in hormones that accelerate the body functioning to deal with danger as there are no rational reasons for the occurrence of panic attacks at all. The impact of the attack is severe and hardly anything can stop it from happening.

Several physical symptoms of panic attacks can be identified which include heart racing, pounding or skipping heartbeat, tightness or discomfort in chest region, choking sensation, sweatiness, shaking and trembling, butterflies and nausea, hot flashes or chills, numbness in certain parts of the body, erratic breathing or shortness of breath, dizziness, light-headedness and so forth. The psychological emotions felt by these victims can be very damaging and frightening that they, who suffer panic attacks, can feel that they are dying or losing their minds. Things seem unreal to them or may even feel that they are detached from their bodies while some are so fearful that they must escape and flee the situation altogether.

In fact, the symptoms mentioned above are the sensations and feelings that one experiences whenever they are facing impending threats or dangers. As reinstated earlier, these symptoms occur to sufferers of panic attacks in circumstances without presence of danger even in safe environment and under no logical explanation. There is no surprise at all that the panic attack can occur even when the victim is at sleep.

Once panic attacks have happened, they cannot be easily stopped or cannot be stopped at all. The rates and frequency of occurrence of panic attacks cannot be predicted because there can be absolutely no warning signs to suggest that they can occur. This means that there are possibilities that they can occur at any place and at any point in time. The strong mental and emotional reactions to the attacks are a result of the out-of-proportionally excessive hormones and adrenalines that pump into the bodies to tackle dangerous situations. As such, appropriate means of treatments must be sought in order to control these emotions of fear and dread during panic attacks.

While a person is in the grip of a panic attack, they go through an intense and excessive amount of terror. As these feelings are extremely intense, the few minutes that they last may seem like an eternity.

Do you want to live a life with endless cycle of terror and overwhelming fear everyday of your life? Say no! You can help yourself to get out of the panic attacks by seeking help and treatment with an experienced and professional psychologist or psychiatrist. Keep in mind that panic attack is not something that you can either diagnose or cure by yourself. Nevertheless, while the conditioning effect of the panic attack is very difficult to deal with, it is a curable condition with various treatment options and alternatives available in the marketplace.

What is anxiety disorder?

Anxiety disorder is a condition that puts a person in a constant state of alertness and fear. Anxiety is otherwise a normal reaction to stress that people commonly experience at various points in their lives. Generally speaking, anxiety helps people to cope with difficult situations until they are resolved (tense situations at work, harder studying for an exam, focusing on an important speech…).

However, for about one in every twelve people anxiety is so persistent and severe that it creates serious problems. Anxious feelings may be so uncomfortable that result in avoiding everyday activities and can escalate into anxiety and panic disorders such as panic symptoms.

Panic attacks are episodes of intense fear or anxiety that comes without warning and without any obvious reason. They are far more intense than just having a feeling of being stressed out which most people experience. Panic attack happens suddenly and can be particularly debilitating because they can occur at any time, even during sleep. Many people (about one-third) who suffer from panic disorder often become agoraphobic.

Agoraphobia is the abnormal fear of being in a situation where one might experience anxiety or panic attack. People suffering from agoraphobia may experience severe panic attacks in situations where they feel trapped, out of control, or too far from their personal comfort zone or an area where they have control of their environment. Agoraphobia is a debilitating condition that can bring fear, shame and isolation to those who suffer from it.

Symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks?

Symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks can include pounding heart, a sense of suffocation, nausea, dizziness, sweating, disorganized thinking, migraine headaches, hyperventilation, breathing difficulties, tightening throat, chest pain, shaking and trembling, depersonalisation, fear of losing control, fear of dying and many more. Beyond anxiety and panic attacks themselves, a key symptom is also the persistent fear of having future panic attacks.

Panic attacks are usually brief, lasting less than ten minutes. Although the exact causes of these disorders are not fully known, studies have shown that a combination of biological and environmental factors may be involved. In many people, the symptoms develop in association with major life changes (like getting married, having a child, starting a new job, etc.) and major lifestyle stressors.

Why so many people today suffer from anxiety and panic attacks is also partially due to our high-stress modern society.

A panic attack is a feeling of intense fear or distress. It often happens very suddenly for no apparent reason. Although anxiety symptoms are very scary for the sufferer, they are not medically serious. When a person suffers from a panic attack, it is the body’s natural response to danger known as the fight-or-flight response, even there is no apparent reason or danger for the onset of the attack. These reactions are called triggers. In this article I am going to give you many tips for panic attacks, so you can handle yours easily.

Symptoms Of A Panic Attack

The symptoms of a panic attack can include trembling, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pains, nausea, dizziness and sweating. Many people who have suffered from panic attacks believe them to be one of the most terrifying experiences they have ever encountered.

When panic attacks occur regularly for no apparent reason, this is known as panic disorder. Often, people who encounter their first panic attack believe that they are seriously ill and seek medical attention. My first tip panic attacks is, if you suffer from a panic attack, it is best to see a doctor to rule out any chances of underlying health problems causing the attacks, such as heart problems or depression.

What Causes A Panic Attack?

There is no particular reason why some people can have a sudden panic attack, but professionals have noted that there do seem to be certain triggers causing them. Examples of this are people who have severe phobias and may suffer from a panic attack when faced with a trigger. Many people who take recreational drugs have also been known to suffer from panic attacks while under the influence of the drug. Prescription medication can also cause panic attacks in some patients.

Here’s another tip for panic attacks. There is also evidence to suggest that panic attacks are more likely to occur in people who have relatives that suffer from panic attacks. Or in people who have had a sudden change in their lives or experienced distress of some sort. However, panic attacks can happen to anyone, at anytime, for no apparent reason.

Panic Attack Treatments

For the majority of those who suffer from panic attacks, the best treatment is to be educated about the condition and learn ways to control the attacks naturally with the aid of relaxation techniques and breathing into paper bags. Doctors and health care professionals show patients how to manage their panic attacks so they can treat themselves when they happen.

There are times that those suffering from panic attacks may be given medication. For example, if the doctor suspects that there is an underlying cause for the attacks, the patient may be given anxiety medications, such as valium or activan, while the patient is being checked for other illnesses.

My final tip for panic attacks is, Anxiety attacks don’t have to rule your life. By learning as much about them and figuring out what your triggers are, you can eventually get rid of them for good.

Often anxiety symptoms occur for no apparent reason. Their causes are shrouded in mystery. They can strike unexpectedly, suddenly, spontaneously.

That said, panic attacks tend to occur when your are under stress. They can also crop up when you are about to face a situation that you are afraid of, either consciously or unconsciously. That situation could be real or imagined. For instance, you may have a public speech to give and your mind might be working overtime on the (un)likely reaction of your audience.

Your fears and phobias are often your worst enemy. They can trigger a panic attack when you least suspect it, with no advance warning. The first thing you’ll know is that the panic attack has started. Which isn’t a pleasant situation to be in.

Sometimes panic attacks are associated with hereditary factors. If someone else in your family has suffered from panic attacks then there is a higher chance that you will also suffer from unexpected panic attacks.

At other times, life changing situations can bring on the feeling of panic. Often these situations are associated with distress, such as divorce, loss of your job or even moving house, which is said to be one of our most stressful occurrences.

As well as these situations, there are other things that contribute to panic attacks.

Too much nicotine and/or too much caffeine can both work against you. They are fairly easy to cut down on, although not always as easy to cut out completely. Watch out for withdrawal symptoms, especially with caffeine.

Alcohol is another substance that is worth cutting down if you suffer from panic attacks. If you’re out with friends, try alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. If, for instance, every other drink is a juice or a sparkling water, no-one except you will know that there’s no alcohol in the drink.