Your Mental Health is as Important as Your Body(2020)! Don't Let a Panic Attack Overcome You: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment!

If you ever had a feeling of having a heart attack or feel like you are breaking down and have nowhere to go or if you felt like you can't breathe or you might be dying then you might have had a panic attack. Panic attacks are quite normal and almost everyone feels once in their lifetime once. Although no one really knows the exact cause of a panic attack it is believed that it may happen due to various reasons.

A panic attack could be a symptom of an anxiety disorder but it has been in existence since the ancient civilization. It is documented to be the reaction of the subjects of Ramses II to his death in 1213 BC in Egypt and also in Greek mythology when people saw Pan, the half-man, half-goat god of flocks and shepherds. It is also connected with Renaissance Europe where severe anxiety was grouped with depression called melancholia. Later in the 19th century, the symptoms of panic were known as neurosis. The word panic came into being in psychiatry then onwards.

It is nothing more than a feeling of fear or nervousness which comes suddenly to a person. It usually comes without a warning and makes a person feel that they are in danger or a life-threatening situation. They don't last for too long but are quite intense. They bring in feelings of emotional, cognitive and physical harm. During a panic attack a person might experience cold sweats, shaking and chest pain, they also feel that they are losing control over their mind and body which is terrifying. These symptoms trigger the fight or flight response in a person causing extreme confusion and mostly emotional pain.

There are several factors which can cause a panic attack. It is believed that it runs in the family. It may also come due to major life transitions like getting married, joining a new workplace, having a baby, going through a bad phase in life, death of a loved one, divorce or severe stress. A person may experience a panic attack due to medical conditions or physical causes like Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), Stimulant use (amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine) or Medication withdrawal.

If you experience a panic attack more than once then you might have a panic disorder. A panic disorder may be the cause of fearing a panic attack which leaves a person very unconfident and afraid all the time. If you have experienced a panic attack more than once then you should consult a doctor as there are treatments you can take to feel better.

Panic attacks may come at any age and time and usually are harmless but they do feel awful. They come without a warning and can come while you are shopping, driving or even sleeping. Different people feel differently when experiencing a panic attack but there are some common symptoms that you should know to be prepared for one.

Some of the symptoms of a panic attack are when you feel that you are in danger or doomed, if you feel you are losing control or might even die, you may also hear your heart pounding within your chest and you start to sweat. You may also start to shake or tremble without any reason, you also might not be able to breathe or talk. Some people experience chills and some get hot flashes. You may also feel nauseous and pain in the abdomen. Some people complain of having severe headaches and lightheadedness or even faint. People also feel depressed or detached with the world or the people they love. Almost everyone who has experienced a panic attack share that their worst fear is of having another episode in public or when they are alone.

It is important to consult a doctor if you experience a panic attack more than once. The doctor will be able to determine if you have 5experienced a panic attack or if you have panic disorder. They will also be able to figure out if you have other medical conditions like heart issues or thyroid problems which are very much like a panic attack. When you visit a doctor they will make you undergo a complete physical examination. They will also check your blood for thyroid; they might ask you to get an ECG or EKG done to see if you have a healthy heart.

You might be recommended to go through a psychological evaluation where you will be tested for your symptoms like stress, relationship issues or family history. You will also have to answer questions related to substance abuse. Remember that not everyone who has gets panic attacks will have panic disorder, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association have listed the following points to determine if you have panic disorder.

They will assess you by figuring out

After a thorough examination if it is found that you get panic attacks but do not have panic disorder then you can easily get treatment and prevent it from turning into a panic disorder.

For treatment, your doctor might send you to a counsellor to help you cope up with any emotional issues you might be having where you will have to sit with a counsellor and undergo a 'talk therapy'. It will help you determine the triggers of panic attacks and how to avoid them. These sessions will also help you understand that panic attacks do not cause any bodily harm and will go away if taken care of. They will teach you relaxation techniques like controlling your thoughts and breathing during an attack. The doctors might also prescribe some relaxation medications so help you relieve your stress and avoid a panic attack.

If you are worried about how to help someone who has panic attacks then the following tips will help you with it. Remember when a person experiences a panic attack they get very anxious and scared and are not able to think clearly. This is the time to be by their side and help them cope with it.

Always remember that you want to help the person in the best possible way, therefore, avoid saying the following if you truly want to help them.

If you have ever had a panic attack or think that you may have one then you need to know how to cope with it, especially if you are alone at that moment. But first of all, you need to remember that a panic attack is not a permanent health issue. A panic attack comes suddenly and goes away quickly. If you know how to handle it within that time you will be ok. Here are a few things you can try if you ever feel a panic attack coming and have no one to help you with it.