Panic Attack

Can't get rid of your terror and all of a sudden you'll just panic. Panic is a sudden, overpowering terror which greatly affects a certain individual. Panic attack is not normal, it's one of the serious health problem in the U.S. It occur at random individual which exposed to various events that may lead to a panic attack.


Panic attack symptoms: (www.wikipedia.com)

• Palpitations, or accelerated heart rate

• Sweating

• Trembling or shaking

• Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering

• Feeling of choking

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Nausea or abdominal distress

• Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint

• Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)

• Fear of losing control or going insane

• Fear of dying

• Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)

• Chills or hot flashes

• Weaknees in the knees

• Confusion

• Blank mind

• Sensing time going by very slowly

• Feeling the need to escape

Panic attacks can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy, medication or both. 
Cognitive behavioral therapy is generally viewed as the most effective form of treatment for panic attacks. It focuses on the thinking patterns and behaviors that are sustaining or triggering the panic attacks.


The medication used for panic attacks include:

• Antidepressants - sometimes used in the treatment. However it takes several weeks before they begin to work, don't need to take them continuously.
• Benzodiazepines - anti-anxiety drugs that act very quickly. Taking them during a panic attack provides rapid relief of symptoms. This are highly addictive and have serious withdrawal symptoms, so they should be used with caution.(more info)

Paula’s story

Paula had her first panic attack 6 months ago. She was in her office preparing for an important work presentation when, suddenly, she felt an intense wave of fear. Then the room started spinning and she felt like she was going to throw up. Her whole body was shaking, she couldn’t catch her breath, and her heart was pounding out of her chest. She gripped her desk until the episode passed, but it left her deeply shaken.

Paula had her next panic attack three weeks later, and since then, they’ve been occurring with increasing frequency. She never knows when or where she’ll suffer an attack, but she’s afraid of having one in public. Consequently, she’s been staying home after work, rather than going out with friends. She also refuses to ride the elevator up to her 12th floor office out of fear of being trapped if she has another panic attack. (see it here)