Panic Attack: How Does it Feel?

What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like?

During a panic attack, a person may feel:

● Intense fear of death

● Being out of control

● Heavy weight on the chest

● Running short of breath

● Dizziness

Symptoms of Panic Attack

Panic attacks often come without any warning and hence, it is often difficult to deal with them. The symptoms involve-

● Chest pain

● Excessive sweating

● A feeling of being choked

● Chills or hot flushes

● Trembling

● Numbness of upper or lower body

● Abdominal distress

● Nausea

● Dry mouth

● Ringing sound in ears

● Fear of dying

● Pounding heart/palpitation

● Rapid and short breath

What Causes a Panic Attack?

The exact cause of panic attack is still unknown; however, there are a few theories that show some strong relation to panic attacks-

● Genetics & family traits

● Stress

● Brain chemistry

● Temperament

What Triggers a Panic Attack?

The triggers are different for different people. The most common triggers are-

● Stressful situations

● Some medicines

● Long and excessive exercise

● Caffeine

● Conflicts and arguments

● Life situations or traumatic experiences.

How Long Do Panic Attacks Last?

A panic attack is a brief episode of anxiety and it usually lasts up to half an hour. The duration is not fixed and can even befor a few minutes for some people. Although it does not last for more than 30 minutes, the effects may persist for longer.

Are All Panic Attacks the Same?

Not all attacks manifest in the same way. They can be categorized as-

1. Expected or cued panic attacks-

These types of attacks happen when a person is experiencing some expected trigger or is anticipating a trigger.

2. Situational and predisposed panic attacks-

Although similar to the expected attacks, predisposed panic attacks do not always occur in the expected situations. It simply means that sometimes the expected situation may manifest an attack, and sometimes the same situation causes no attack at all.

3. Unexpected or uncued panic attacks-

As the name suggests, they do not come with a trigger or warning and occur suddenly. Thus they are considered the most challenging.

Are panic attacks treatable?

Yes, panic attacks are treatable andthe treatment is highly dependent upon the underlying cause. The treatment options are as follows:

● Medication- this includes anti-anxiety, antidepressant and anti-epileptic medicines.

● Psychotherapy

● Coping strategies which includes:

● Breathing exercises

● Meditation

● Progressive muscle relaxation

● Identifying and avoiding triggering factors

Conclusion

Panic attacks are sudden and short episodes of intense anxiety with some physical symptoms like a raised heartbeat, sweating, fear and rapid breathing. Normally they are not related to any physical threat, and the cause is internal only. They can last for a few minutes to half an hour. They feel like choking, having a heart attack, shortness of breath, feeling dizzy, etc.

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on September 12, 2022