Driving on a busy highway can be a stressful, but manageable task for people who take that road to work every day. For people who suffer from panic attacks, a simple highway can cause extreme feelings of discomfort, physical sickness and paralyzing fear. Those same feelings also can be associated with something less stressful, like going outside to check the mail. The symptoms, causes and risk factors associated with a panic attack are discussed below.
Panic Disorder
Panic attacks arise from having a panic disorder, during which you can suffer sudden feelings of extreme fear, nervousness and physical discomfort. These attacks can come with virtually no warning. Many times the attack itself is disproportionate to the trigger when compared to the general population. A panic attack can be so mentally traumatic that patients often worry about having additional panic attacks and restructure their lives to avoid them.
Symptoms
Panic attack symptoms include rapid heartbeat, chest pains, difficulty breathing and excessive sweating. Other symptoms involve a sense of terror or impending death, feelings of no control and dizziness. Symptoms last for a brief period, followed by worrying about another attack.
Causes
A direct cause has not been found, but there are conditions associated with panic attacks. Substance abusers of cocaine and amphetamines have been known to have panic attacks. Certain medical conditions like hyperthyroidism and hypoglycemia can also bring one on. Agoraphobia, a fear of crowded or enclosed spaces, has a strong relation to triggering panic attacks.
Genetic Risk Factor
Genetics are linked to panic attacks as well. You are twice as likely to have a panic disorder if members in your family have had one. Women are more likely to develop the disorder than men. The gene monoamine oxidase was found in more women who suffered from panic attacks than men, suggesting a genetic predisposition for them.
Treatment
Treatment plans may not be the same from patient to patient because the causes and risk factors can differ. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is usually applied to patients who suffer from phobias or have distinct triggers for panic attacks. Such patients can learn relaxation techniques or logical processing to reduce their fears. Before therapy begins, however, anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax or Klonopin can be taken to reduce physical and physiological symptoms of panic. For those with unknown environmental triggers, anti-depressants may be prescribed to reduce fear and anxiety.
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