Panic Attacks

Someone told me today that being panic is a normal state and that everyone in this world would endure. Little that the person know, that they are many types of panic and it varies in terms of intensity. Some people may feel slightly panic at times, while some people may have an intense panic moment that may last more than 10 minutes and has symptoms such as breathing problem and sweating. Some people are claustrophobic and try as they might to avoid crowded areas and close spaces. Different people would have different triggers or reactions to a situation that would cause them to panic.

So what is a panic attack?

A panic attack is when an individual faces a period of intense fear or discomfort in the absence of real danger that develops abruptly and would usually last within 10 minutes (DSM-IV-TR). It is also accompanied by four or more of the following symptoms:

1. Palpitations
2. Sweating
3. Trembling
4. Shortness of breath
5. Feeling of choking
6. Chest pain or discomfort
7. Feeling dizzy
8. Derealization
9. Fear of losing control
10. Fear of dying
11. Parasthesias
12. Chills or hot flushes

Treatments that are usually prescribed for those with panic attacks are medication and also psychotherapy (i.e breathing techniques & Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy). Although some people take panic lightly, one must be aware of the intensity of each panic episode and the symptoms that they have for each episode. If a panic episode or attack is not addressed and left untreated, the panic attack may be recurrent and become more chronic.