Panic Attacks 

Facts that you must know

Almost 4% of the western world population suffers from serious and frequent panic attacks.

Panic attacks syndrome is one of the most popular mental disorders; during a panic attack episode the patient feels intense, sudden fear and anxiety.   

These episodes are called panic attacks and their duration may last from minutes to hours. They happen without a warning and nobody knows what causes them.   

About 4% of the population suffers from serious and frequent panic attacks. Women are 2 - 3 times more likely to present panic attack symptoms.   

Panic attacks are a chronic disease. Panic attacks may happen either rarely or frequently.   

Panic attacks may first occur at any age. Your first panic attack is more likely to happen between the age of 20 - 40.    

Mental symptoms of a panic attack :   

   1. Fear   

   2. Anxiety   

   3. Panic   

   4. Feeling like you are losing your sanity   

   5. Feeling that you are losing control   

   6. Fear of death   

Physical symptoms of a panic attack :   

   1. Shaking   

   2. Sweat   

   3. Chest pain   

   4. Palpitations   

   5. Dyspnea    

   6. Feeling of suffocation    

   7. Feeling of choking    

   8. Nausea    

   9. Cramps    

  10. Dizziness    

  11. Numbness or tingling in the hands    

  12. Chills or hot flushes   

  13. Feeling weak and faint   

The patient doesn't necessarily present all the above symptoms.   

But when a person presents at least 4 symptoms at 4 panic attacks during 4 weeks, it is considered that the patient suffers from panic attacks disorder. It is also considered that a patient suffers from panic attacks when he is feeling an intense fear of recurrence of a sustained panic attack for at least one month after the first panic attack episode.   

The fear of an imminent panic attack is enough to cause the symptoms of a panic attack to the patient. In agoraphobia, the patient is afraid to go out from home or from another area that is considered safe because they fear that they may suffer a panic attack at public space or that it will be difficult to escape from there if the symptoms of panic attack start.   

In agoraphobia, the more difficult the possibility of escape, the more intense is the fear. Agoraphobia may impact negatively and significantly reduce the daily activities of the patient.   

It is important to note that many of the signs and symptoms presented by patients during panic attacks are similar to those that occur due to serious diseases of the heart, brain, lungs and digestive system.   

In short, panic attacks mimic other serious organic disease which threatens life. Panic attack victims often address to doctors or emergency departments for care.   

The differentiation of panic attack from other diseases such as myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, stroke, epilepsy, hyperthyroidism, is imperative. The clinical examination and additional tests may exclude an organic disease and allow the panic attack diagnosis.   

The panic disorder can be treated effectively. There are medications and psychotherapeutic methods to successfully help the patient to control or even get rid of the problem.   

Contact with your doctor if you suspect that you are suffering from panic attacks.