What are the Signs of Panic Attacks?

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A panic attack is an abrupt episode of intense anxiety or fear accompanied by a number of physical symptoms such as a racing heartbeat and shortness of breath, normally lasting between 5 and 20 minutes. Panic attacks can be highly distressing but pose no serious physical health risks.^[1]

Many people will experience a panic attack or two during the course of their lifetime. They tend to occur more commonly when undergoing a stressful life event such as bereavement, a job change or separating from a partner. It is also common to be unable to identify a trigger.

If a person experiences recurrent spontaneous panic attacks, without an apparent trigger, this is called panic disorder, a condition that is usually treatable with psychological counseling and/or medication.

If you think you or someone you know may be experiencing a panic attack, The adoctor can help you find the nearest doctor adoctor Algeria.

For more information on panic attacks, such as causes and common triggers, see the resource on panic attacks.

Signs of a panic attack

The signs of a panic attack involve intense mental symptoms as well as physical symptoms.

These include symptoms of mental distress, such as the sudden belief that one is dying, and concurrent physical symptoms, such as increased heart rate, sweating and trembling.

Panic attack warning signs

There are two main types of a panic attacks: expected and unexpected.

Unexpected panic attack warning signs

There are typically no perceptible signs of the onset of an unexpected panic attack. Many people report that they are hit by a rush of panic attack symptoms that occur out-of-the-blue, perhaps while doing an everyday task such as ironing or watching television.

It is believed that unexpected panic attacks occur in response to a stressful life experience. However, this stress is often outside the awareness of the person experiencing it. For instance, suppose a person has recently lost their job. While out shopping for groceries, the person experiences shortness of breath and a sense of impending doom – panic attack symptoms that seem to happen for no apparent reason. It is likely that such symptoms were brought about by the need to spend money on food without an income, even though the connection may not be obvious to the person experiencing symptoms.

Good to know: The occurrence of unexpected panic attacks is required for a diagnosis of panic disorder.

Expected panic attacks

Expected panic attacks may be divided into two types:^[2]

• Situationally bound or cued panic attacks: Expected to occur invariably in specific situations, such as in the case of a person with a social phobia having a panic attack entering into a public speaking engagement.
• Situationally predisposed: May be more likely in certain situations, but do not always occur on cue nor immediately after exposure, such as in the case of a person who sometimes finds that driving induces a panic attack, or that a panic attack occurs after driving for some time.

Expected panic attacks are often preceded by symptoms that may include:^[3]

• Panic
• An elevated sense of threat or danger
• Anxiety
• Helplessness
• Avoidance
• Distress about physical symptoms
• Physical signs of a panic attack, such as increased heart rate and shortness of breath
• Catastrophic thoughts, i.e. thinking about irrational, worst-case scenarios

Symptoms during a panic attack

During a panic attack, people may have a sense of impending doom, may feel as though they are dying from a heart attack or suffocation, or may feel that they are losing control or going crazy. However, the exact experience, and how it is described, may vary from person to person.

A full-symptom panic attack is defined as including four or more of the following physical and psychological symptoms:^[4]:

• Palpitations, pounding heart or accelerated heart rate
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
• Feeling of choking
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Nausea or abdominal distress
• Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded or faint
• Chills or heat sensations
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
• Fear of losing control or going crazy
• Fear of dying

A panic attack usually lasts between 5 and 20 minutes, with most panic attacks reaching their peak at around 10 minutes.

Nearly all panic attacks subside in under an hour. It is common to feel exhausted and shaken by the experience of having a panic attack, for minutes or hours after the attack itself is over.

If you think you or someone you know may be experiencing a panic attack, The adoctor can help you find the nearest doctor adoctor Algeria.

Limited-symptom panic attacks

Panic attacks vary between people, and some people may experience fewer symptoms. If a person experiences less than four of the above symptoms, this is known as a limited-symptom panic attack.

People commonly experience limited symptom attacks while recovering from or undergoing effective treatment for panic disorder, as they learn to use therapeutic techniques to reduce the number and severity of the symptoms they experience during an attack.

The duration of limited symptom panic attacks can be variable. A limited symptom panic attack normally peaks in about 10 minutes — the same timescale as a full symptom panic attack. However, it may last only one to five minutes thereafter. Alternatively, it could be part of a panic episode of varying intensity that lasts several hours.^[5]

Nocturnal panic attack

It is possible to experience a full or limited symptom panic attack in one’s sleep. This is called a nocturnal panic attack and involves waking up in a state of panic. The signs of nocturnal panic attacks are the same as those of panic attacks that occur when one is awake, and they may also be the same in terms of their duration and possible triggers.

Nocturnal panic attacks are a common occurrence in people with panic disorder, but can also be one’s first or only experience of a panic attack.^[6]

Agoraphobia with panic disorder

Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person fears and avoids places or situations that might cause them to panic and feel helpless, embarrassed, or unable to escape. This usually develops as a complication of panic disorder and can reduce a person’s quality of life, as they may become afraid of doing everyday tasks.^[7] Treatment is normally effective in helping to manage this condition.

Management of panic attack symptoms

During a panic attack, various techniques can be used by a person to try to reduce their symptoms. For example:^[8]

• Deep, calm breathing: This can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of a panic attack. A panic attack tends to cause a person to breathe too fast, which can make them feel dizzy and lightheaded.
• Progressive muscle relaxation: This is a technique involving the conscious tensing and then relaxing of one’s muscles. This can help to reduce tension and overall stress levels.
• Realistic thinking: This involves a person identifying what the frightening thoughts are that can trigger physical feelings of panic, and then identifying whether these thoughts are actually realistic.

Good to know: Regular exercise, eating regular meals, and avoiding caffeine may help in preventing some panic attacks.

Treatment of panic disorder

If panic attacks happen often and interfere with one’s life, a psychiatric evaluation for an anxiety disorder might be recommended. Normally, the most effective form of professional treatment for panic disorder is psychological therapy. Even a short course can help. Such therapy commonly includes:^[9][10]

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on thinking patterns and behaviors that are sustaining or triggering the panic attacks and helps a person to look at their fears in a more realistic light.
• Exposure therapy: This includes controlled exposure to the feared situations. It involves facing the feared situation until the panic begins to lessen. Through this experience, a person can learn that the situation isn’t harmful and that they have control over their emotions.
• Panic-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PFPP): This form of psychotherapy helps a person recognize suppressed and painful emotions, allowing them to resolve such issues with the support of a qualified therapist.

Antidepressants have been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for agoraphobia with panic disorder, as they help to prevent panic attacks, and improve anticipatory anxiety and avoidance behavior. These must be taken consistently over time to be effective.^[11] The most frequently prescribed groups of antidepressants for panic disorder include:^[10]

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Benzodiazepines, a type of anti-anxiety medication, may also be prescribed. These medications have a sedative effect that can help quickly reduce panic symptoms and put a person into a more relaxed state. However, Benzodiazepines may be addictive if used in the long term, so they are used cautiously.^[12]

Signs of a panic attack in a child

Panic attacks generally have the same symptoms in children as in adults.^[13] They may occur in younger children but are more common in teenagers.

Panic attacks can be particularly difficult for children and young people to deal with. Severe panic disorder may affect their development and learning, as it may, for example, prevent them from studying.^[1][14]

If you think you or someone you know may be experiencing a panic attack, The adoctor can help you find the nearest doctor adoctor Algeria.

Signs of a panic attack FAQs

Tingling: If tingling is experienced in a panic attack, it may affect the entire body. In a heart attack, tingling is typically experienced in the left arm.

Pain: In a panic attack, pain may be felt as a sharp sensation in the heart, which gets worse when the affected person breathes deeply or puts pressure on the chest. This pain usually disappears within five to ten minutes. A heart attack may feel like a crushing or pressure sensation all over the chest that may extend into the shoulders, left arm, neck, and back. Heart attack pain is not made worse by breathing or pressing on the chest. It may be a worsening pain and normally lasts longer than ten minutes.

If you are concerned that you may be having a panic attack, a heart attack, or another problem that is causing you related symptoms, try consulting Adoctorto to find out what the cause is. Adoctor conditions and symptoms.

If in doubt about one’s symptoms it is important to always seek medical attention without delay as a heart attack is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

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1. NHS. “Panic disorder.” Accessed 22 August 2018. ↩ ↩ ↩

2. Britannica.com. “Panic attack | psychology” Accessed 22 August 2018. ↩

3. NCBI. “Expected versus unexpected panic attacks: a naturalistic prospective study.” Accessed 22 August 2018. ↩

4. Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. “A panic attack.” Accessed 24 June 2018. ↩

5. University of Pennsylvania | Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety. “Panic Disorder (Symptoms).” Accessed 1 August 2018. ↩

6. eMedicineHealth. “Panic Attacks: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” Accessed 22 August 2018. ↩

7. NHS.UK. “Agoraphobia.” Accessed 1 August 2018. ↩

8. Mind, the mental health charity. “Anxiety and panic attacks.” Accessed 1 August 2018. ↩

9. HelpGuide.org. “Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder.” Accessed 23 August 2018. ↩

10. NCBI. “Diagnosis and treatment of agoraphobia with panic disorder.” Accessed 22 August 2018. ↩ ↩

11. Verywell Mind. “Types of Antidepressants for Panic Disorder.” 7 April 2017. Accessed 23 August 2018. ↩

12. Medscape. “The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline.” Accessed 11 September 2018. ↩

13. Medscape eMedicine. “Pediatric Panic Disorder.” 7 December 2015. Accessed 1 August 2018. ↩

14. KidsHealth. “Anxiety Disorders.” Accessed 1 August 2018. ↩

15. Anxiety UK. “You have had a panic attack.” Accessed 22 August 2018. ↩

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**What are the Signs of Panic Attacks?**



Panic attacks⁣ are‌ sudden and intense episodes of fear and anxiety that can occur without ​any obvious trigger. They are marked by a ‍cluster of⁤ distinct⁣ physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms that can⁢ be alarming‍ and overwhelming.​ If you suspect you are experiencing panic attacks,⁢ it⁣ is crucial to recognize the ‍signs to seek professional help ⁣promptly.



**Physical‌ Signs**



* ⁤Chest pain or discomfort

* Rapid or pounding heart rate

* Shortness⁣ of⁣ breath or hyperventilation

* Trembling or shaking

* ⁣Sweating

* Nausea or stomach upset



**Emotional ‌Signs**



* Intense⁢ fear of losing control

* Feeling detached or unreal (derealization)

* Feeling that you⁢ are going to ⁤faint, die, ‌or⁣ go crazy

* Numbness or tingling sensations

* Hot or cold flashes

* Dizziness⁢ or lightheadedness



**Cognitive Signs**



* Negative or catastrophic ⁤thinking

* Difficulty concentrating

* Memory impairment

* Feeling like something⁢ terrible ⁤is going to happen



**Additional Signs**



* A sense⁣ of dread or doom

* Fatigue or exhaustion

*⁤ Avoidance of situations where panic attacks have‍ occurred

* Changes in sleep patterns



**Causes ⁤of Panic Attacks**



The exact cause of panic ‍attacks is not fully understood, ‍but they are​ commonly associated with:



* Genetic predisposition

* ⁤Stressful life events or trauma

* Certain medications

* Caffeine‌ or substance abuse

*⁤ Underlying medical conditions (e.g., thyroid disorders,⁣ adrenal⁢ gland tumors)



**Treatment for Panic Attacks**



Panic attacks can be effectively treated⁣ with a combination of therapy and⁢ medication. Therapy options⁢ include:



* Cognitive Behavioral​ Therapy (CBT)

* Mindfulness-Based Stress ⁢Reduction (MBSR)

* ​Exposure​ and⁣ Response Prevention (ERP)



Medications that may be prescribed include:



* Antidepressants

*⁢ Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam,‍ alprazolam)

*‌ Buspirone



**If You⁣ are Experiencing ​Panic Attacks**



If⁣ you experience panic attacks, it is crucial to seek professional help. Ignoring the symptoms can lead to chronic anxiety, ‍disability, ⁤and a reduced quality of life.⁢ Early intervention is key to⁤ managing panic attacks effectively and regaining ​control⁣ over your ‍mental well-being.