Panic Attack - Can You Identify The Cause And Symptoms?
Dean Caporella
Panic attack...it can occur anytime. It's like being put inside a wash
dryer. Your heart starts racing; you are short of breath and worst case
scenario - you feel like you are about to die. If you have experienced
it before then you'll recognize the symptoms about to be discussed in
this article.
So what is the cause of panic attack? That's a question many have tried
to answer in the past and many views have been put forward. Hereditary
traits are a common denominator but not conclusive. Stress factors are
considered contributory and biochemical elements likewise. But as far
as nailing down a single, common cause, well, researchers are still
working on that.
Did You Know?
There is a strong correlation between panic attack sufferers and other
mental health conditions. For example, people who experience panic
attack symptoms can also be affected by bouts of depression,
agoraphobia,as well as social phobia.
The Symptoms
The scariest part of panic attack is it seems to strike with the
precision of stealth. As a public broadcaster, I'm well aware of the
pressures of broadcasting to a live audience. It has affected me twice
during my life so in relative terms I can count myself a little
fortunate. The scariest moment of my life came midway during the
broadcast of a live sports event in the mid 1990's and what happened at
the time is a little difficult to describe in words. Let's just say I
coped as best I could but if you could imagine standing in front of a
live audience and "sailing" through a presentation with great ease one
minute, then within 60 seconds feeling like someone has cut off your
oxygen supply. Twelve years later, I'm happy to say it's never happened
again but I pose the question why; and what's up with that?
If you experience symptoms such as rapid heart rate, sweats,
hyperventilation, chills, hot flashes and chest pain then the chances
are pretty good you are experiencing an attack. Not to mention
dizziness, trembling, tightness in the throat area and a real sense
that you are going to die. In the US alone, the number of emergency
patients who check in convinced they are having a heart attack and upon
diagnosis are told everything is okay is staggering.
Cause Of Panic Attack
Again, the question has to be asked... what is the cause? Apart from
some possible reasons mentioned earlier, it's still a baffling mystery
for researchers. There isn't a magic pill prescribed that will prevent
it from happening again.
The human body is an amazing piece of machinery. It's ability to sense
danger or dangerous situations is fascinating. Many researchers believe
that this instinct; the body's natural fight and reactionary response
to danger can give us some of the clues in why panic attack occurs.
It's something akin to being 50 yards from shore at your favorite beach
with not another soul around. Suddenly your thought process turns to
the possibility of sharks. Within seconds, an intense fear begins to
grip you and you head for shore. There may not have been any sharks in
the area but the fear was real.
Is There Treatment Available?
While there is no treatment that will cure panic attack for extreme
sufferers, there are some effective medication treatments available.
Antidepressant medications are extremely effective in most cases and
should be discussed with your physician.
Therapy sessions with either a psychiatrist or psychologist are also
recommended, particularly for chronic sufferers and at worst, will help
you understand your condition which in the end, can only help you cope
with it better in the future. However it affects you in your life,
don't do nothing, which sadly, is what the majority will do.
Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Panic attack can strike
like stealth. Can you recognize panic attack symptom? Read the latest
reviews at:
http://www.panicattacksite.com
Find More Free Natural Health Information
Back To:
All Mental Health Articles
Choose Natural Health Site Map
