People with this disorder experience unexpected panic attacks and live in fear of having another panic attack. Symptoms of a panic attack include: heart palpitations, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, chills or sweats, and fear of dying. Some people also develop agoraphobia, which is when they begin to avoid going to public places for fear that a panic attack will occur and they will be unable to escape.
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.
Although panic attacks themselves aren’t life-threatening, they can be frightening and significantly affect your quality of life. But treatment can be very effective.
Symptoms
Panic attacks typically begin suddenly, without warning. They can strike at any time — when you’re driving a car, at the mall, sound asleep or in the middle of a business meeting. You may have occasional panic attacks, or they may occur frequently. Panic attacks have many variations, but symptoms usually peak within minutes. You may feel fatigued and worn out after a panic attack subsides.
Causes
It’s not known what causes panic attacks or panic disorder, but these factors may play a role:
- Genetics
- Major stress
- Temperament that is more sensitive to stress or prone to negative emotions
- Certain changes in the way parts of your brain function
Complications
Left untreated, panic attacks and panic disorder can affect almost every area of your life. You may be so afraid of having more panic attacks that you live in a constant state of fear, ruining your quality of life.
Prevention
There’s no sure way to prevent panic attacks or panic disorder. However, these recommendations may help.
Get treatment for panic attacks as soon as possible to help stop them from getting worse or becoming more frequent.
When to see a doctor
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.
SubRosa Mental Services provides a client-forward approach to helping individuals, businesses, and children by offering Comprehensive Psychological & Psycho-Educational Evaluations, life coaching and emotional support animal assistance. Reach out today to find out more.
