Disease, Illness and Condition Library
Panic Attacks - Panic Disorder
than have strokes, seizures or aids. If you have had a panic attack or feel you may be on verge of having one, you are not alone. It is estimated that over 4 million adults will have a least one panic attack sometime in their lives. For those suffering with this very real and sometimes frightening disorder diagnosis can be a problem due to similarity in symptoms with other diseases. This is unfortunate because panic attacks can be prevented in most patients with the use of medication, nutrition, homeopathic remedies, or flower essences. Panic attacks can present suddenly, for no apparent reason. Just a few of the symptoms that tend to accompany these episodes are dizziness, breathing problems, elevated heart rate, trembling or shaking, tingling or numbness in the hands, terror, fear, chills or hot flashes and an impending sense of doom. Normally doctors will require at least 4 symptoms to confirm the presence of a panic attack. If you read the above list closely, you will notice that many of the listed symptoms can also be attributes to other serious diseases such as stroke or heart attack which would require immediate medical attention. During a panic attack, people may feel the urge to escape or flee. They feel trapped. Others feel that something terrible could happen, that they could be dying, suffocating, or losing control. Because of the fear or having a panic attack, those with this disorder will tend to avoid places or situations that might trigger an attack. Wouldn’t you? Patients with panic disorder often develop a fear of crowds and are unable to leave their homes. A few years ago there was a great movie titled “Forrester” which depicted fear of crowds and isolationism very well. Panic disorder make people susceptible to obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, substance abuse, migraine headaches, asthma, and irritable bowel syndrome. For people with this disorder even the smallest amount of stress can set off both physiological and psychological responses. Panic attacks can take place with no obvious reason and even present during sleep. Those suffering with panic attacks may pay frequent visits to the ER since their symptoms mimic those of a hear attack, heart rhythm abnormalities, hyperthyroidism, seizure disorder or gastrointestinal disease. Attacks can sometimes occur within six month or a stressful event such as surgery, child birth or the death of a loved one. Other triggers include caffeine, some cold medicines, cocaine and marijuana.
year. Women are 2 to 3 times more likely than men to have panic attacks and panic disorder. Panic disorder is present in 2% of the population during any 12 month period. Panic disorder usually begins in late adolescence or early adulthood. A panic attack involves the sudden appearance of at least four of the following symptoms: * Chest pain or discomfort * Choking * Dizziness * Fear of dying * Fear of going crazy or losing control * Feeling of unreality, strangeness, or detachment from the environment * Flushes or chills * Nausea, stomachache, or diarrhea * Numbness or tingling sensations * Palpitations or accelerated heart rate * Shortness of breath or sense of feeling smothered * Sweating *Trembling and shaking If left untreated panic attacks can get worse. Prolonged stress and anxiety rob the body of the essential nutrients need to make its own tranquilizers. Dr. Robert Akins believed that 60 percent of all patients who were experiencing panic attacks could be cured by correcting low blood sugar. As blood sugar levels drop suddenly the body releases hormones that cause the heart and breathing rate to increase, and the patient experiences heart palpitations, sweating, hunger, irritability, tendency to fatigue easily, tense muscles, nausea, and shaking. When Dr. Atkins was making his diagnosis he would first suggest a glucose-insulin test. If no abnormalities were found he then would suggest a thyroid test.
For people who experience panic attacks as part of an anxiety disorder other than panic disorder and some people with panic disorder who have recurring panic attacks, anticipatory anxiety, and avoidance recover without formal treatment. For others, panic disorder follows a waxing and waning course over years. People with panic disorder are more receptive to treatment if they understand that the disorder involves both physical and psychologic processes and that treatment must address both. Drug therapy and behavior therapy can generally control the symptoms. Drugs that are used to treat panic disorder include antidepressants and antianxiety drugs such as bezodiazepines. Most types of antidepressants – tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – are effective. Benzodiazepines work faster than antidepressants but can cause drug dependence and are probably more likely to cause sleepiness, impaired coordination, and slowed reaction time. SSRIs are preferred to other antidepressants and benzodiazepines because they are equally effective but have fewer side effects, especially considerably less sleepiness, and don not cause drug dependence. When a drug is effective, it prevents or greatly reduces the number of panic attacks. A drug may have to be taken for a long time, because panic attacks o ften return once the drug is discontinued. Exposure therapy, a form of behavior therapy in which the person is exposed repeatedly to whatever triggers a panic attack, often helps to diminish the fear. Exposure therapy is practiced until the person develops a high level of comfort with the anxiety provoking situation. In addition, people who are afraid that they will faint during a panic attack can practice an exercise in which they spin in a chair or breathe quickly (hyperventilate) until they feel faint. This exercise teaches them that they will not actually faint during a panic attack. Practicing slow, shallow breathing (respiratory control) helps many people who tend to hyperventilate. Supportive psychotherapy, which includes education and counseling, is helpful because a therapist can provide general information about the disorder, its treatment, realistic hope for improvement, and the support that comes from a trusting relationship with a doctor.
Even if you know what triggers your panic attacks, try not to avoid the situation completely. Often we fear the unknown and by running away, the trigger itself can become larger than life and all-consuming. Try to remember that you are not expected to rid yourself of panic attacks overnight. While it’s very easy for onlookers to simply say “Don’t panic, just relax and it will pass,” for the person suffering from panic attacks, it is extremely hard to imagine the attack being over. Taking small steps (that you feel you can cope with) and very gradually increasing the demands on yourself can help facilitate a smooth transition back to a panic-free life. If you are experiencing stress, whether in your relationships or at work, try and work on ways to improve or change the stressful circumstances – stress is a major precipitant of Panic Attacks. Take steps to change the things that can be changed and learn stress management techniques. Make sure that you eat regular wholesome meals, have sufficient sleep and also exercise regularly – all important in the management of Panic Attacks. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and CNS depressants, especially alcohol. While Having a Panic Attack: * Try not to let your mind get the better of you by running away with negative thoughts of death, disaster or fainting. Try to focus on the thought that the “this too shall pass.” Try saying this out loud – remember if you can talk, it means you are still breathing! * Slow down your breathing by closing your eyes, taking SLOW deep breaths and blowing each breath out through pursed lips. By keeping your hand on your stomach you will become more aware of your breathing. * Don’t concentrate too hard on the symptoms as this will only increase your anxiety. Try to simply ‘let go’ of the need to stop the attack and rather try to ride it out - getting yourself ‘through’ the worst of it until it passes. * Keep in mind there is no actual danger in having a panic attack. Reassure yourself that the fear of harm is only sustaining the attack and allowing it to last longer than necessary! Disorders Similar to Panic Attacks It is important to get a proper diagnosis as panic attacks can also occur in other disorders or conditions such as: * Phobias * Social anxiety * Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) * Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) * Post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) * Depression * Hyperthyroidism * Mitral Valve Prolapse * Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushings Disease) * Drug withdrawal * Side effects of prescription drugs * Caffeine overdose Sources: Smart Living for Modern Medicine Merck Manual for Medical Information Native Remedies Natural Herbal Supplements Helpful for Panic Attacks
Continue AgoraFear Relief - Homeopathic remedy temporarily relieves fear and nervousness prompted by new environments Continue SocialFear Relief - Homeopathic remedy temporarily relieves social fear; anxiety; nervousness; shyness and stage fright - Continue |
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