Learning the Symptoms of Anxiety and Panic Attacks

There are a lot of symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety that people should know more about. Studies have shown that panic attacks could be symptoms of an underlying anxiety disorder.  There have been researches that say at least 20% of Americans will suffer from panic attacks at some point in their lives.  Panic attacks are different from other anxiety disorders as panic attacks usually occur all of a sudden, with no provocations at all.  There are even some instances that people suffer from panic attacks while sleeping.  Panic attacks are episodes of intense fear which occur suddenly and without any warning.

A panic attack may only occur one time, but many people actually experience recurrent episodes. Some may even suffer from panic disorder, which stems from repeated episodes of panic attacks.  People who have panic disorder may have had several panic attacks and constantly fear that they might suffer from another attack.  This is a chronic condition that merits a trip to a doctor so that proper intervention could be done. 

In the past, when people have panic attacks, others would usually say that it is normal, that they are just due to stress or the “nerves”.  In recent times, these episodes are now considered as real medical conditions.  There is no need to worry, however, as these disorders are highly treatable and have high chances of being free from them.

Is it possible for people to overcome panic attacks?  The answer is: yes!  The goal of the treatment of panic attacks is to eliminate all of the symptoms related to panic attacks.  Panic attacks are highly treatable, and with continued treatment, people who suffer from them could go back to their old lives and their everyday routines. Most specialists agree that both cognitive and behavioral therapies are effective for treating panic disorders.  For some extreme cases, medication may be needed to treat the panic attacks. 

The first part of the therapy includes the giving of information to the person who is suffering from the panic attacks.  It helps him or her to understand the situation, and at the same time, the doctor may also work together in identifying probable triggers for the attacks.  Many phobias actually stem from panic disorders, and it is important to let the people understand that panic attacks may be entirely separate from the trigger (phobia).  The trigger could then lose its power to induce a panic attack once the person realizes the situation.  The second part of the therapy includes exposure to the actual physical sensations that a person experiences when having an attack.  This is similar to the systemic desensitization process that people with phobias have.

There is definitely no need to be scared or ashamed when a person suffers from panic attacks or panic disorders because there are doctors who know how to stop panic attacks.  These disorders are highly treatable, and the people who suffer from them could go back to their daily routines in no time.  For those who have had them for a long time, it’s never too late to get help.