What Is A Panic Attack And How You Can Cure Them

By Clay Johnson

A more concrete definition of panic attack will help you understand more of its nature. Basically, you know it has swept over you when you feel an excessive fear and worry over something that should not even elicit such reaction. There are people who rarely go through this but there are unfortunate ones who suffer frequently.

Attacks persist when the person repeatedly experience situations that cause alarm and apprehension. Panic attacks are generally thought of as minor, but in fact they have a major bearing on the psychological, emotional and physical welfare of a person.

Who are prone to panic attacks? Panic disorder is a widespread problem and statistically 10% of the people have been diagnosed with this problem and many more cases are not reported. Generally young people and females are doubly prone to get these attacks, compared to adult males. It can also have a genetic connection where this problem is common among family members.

How will I know whether I am having a panic attack? Some clear symptoms will alert you when you experience an attack. The heart will beat at a faster or uneven rate, chest pain, tensed muscles, profuse sweating, upset or turbulent stomach, shivering, dizzy spells, breathlessness, body feeling suddenly cold or hot, feeling of indifference and detachment and making an effort to get a grip on reality.

These symptoms match the signs of a pre heart attack, hence should not be taken lightly. It is best to attend to this by seeking medical attention, especially if the person has experienced this for the first time.

The Cause of a panic attack, In many cases there does not seem to be any apparent cause. But there are instances which show that the causes might be due to painful and fearful experiences of the past.

Sometimes, too much stress can cause the attack to trigger. Stress at work and at home can push a person to experience an attack. Genes can also trigger panic attacks.

In case panic sets in, what would be the best thing to do? The duration of the attack can last until 10 minutes. Worst and rare case can last more than 30 minutes. During this duration a person will manifest all the symptoms mentioned above, and all these are associated with your heart beat rate.

The key to managing a panic attack is to control your breathing. This will help you keep your heart rate down. Once your heart rate is controlled, all the other symptoms will diminish. While breathing in, count slowly to three, hold your breath for the same count and then slowly breathe out for also the same count.

Keep to it until a calm settles over you, and then slowly move around a bit. Some find it more potent to breathe out into a bag, and then inhale the same air. This will increase the carbon-dioxide in the inhalation which in turn corrects the level of acid in the blood, which has got disturbed by breathing fast.

As you do this breathing therapy, focus your mind on pleasant things and don't think about situations that can cause panic. Another good way is to play some mind games like puzzle to keep the mind preoccupied. - 31520

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