Panic attacks are unexpected surges of uncontrollable fear that affects without prior caution or any understandable reasons. It is intense than feeling anxious or feeling of being 'strained out' that people experience commonly. People worldwide experience panic attacks at least once in their life time on a 1:75 ratio. These attacks are termed medically as anxiety and panic attacks as these attacks are attributed to individual's anxiety directly. Though these attacks are no perceived as illness, individuals experience problems when it happens without any understandable reason.
Causes of Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Anxiety, accompanied with fear is the most important cause of panic attacks. Almost everyone would have experienced anxiety and panic attacks at some stage of their life or the other. Like in panic attacks, when an individual perceives threat , he experiences anxiety and panic attacks. Then the person's instincts try to defend him against any harm. Normally an anxiety and panic attack are for shorter durations lasting for few minutes or may be extended to even hours.
Symptoms of Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Symptoms exhibited by persons suffering from anxiety and panic attack vary from one individual to another. Some of external signs are pale skin, terrible sweating; internal signs are nausea, pain in the chest, difficulty in breathing etc. For persons experiencing anxiety and panic attack for the first time, assume it as a heart attack or a nervous breakdown.
Diagnosis of Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Anxiety and panic attacks caused due to obvious reasons do not need any special medical treatment. However, pesons experiencing thse attacks frequently without understandable reasons need to take professional help. If neglected or not treated, these attacks affect individual's life interfering with his normal daily routines.
Treatment of Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Normally, anxiety and panic attacks can be treated by counseling. Psychiatrists personally talk to individuals affected by Anxiety and Panic attacks. This is termed as cognitive behavioral therapy. This focuses on patterns of thinking and individuals behaviors that trigger such attacks. This helps the affected individuals to look at things with a realistic view.
This treatment is considered to be the best and might last for a few moths. If the individual is still facing these attacks he has to be treated through counseling and medication. It is important to treat anxiety and panic disorders to allow the individual to perform his daily tasks without any interference.