What are Panic Attacks?

Today, we hear much news about Panic attacks. It is reported that almost one-third of Americans population is affected. But the number is even more as many are simply unaware that they are even suffering from panic attacks. Just what are Panic Attacks?

Basically it involves a period of intense, often overwhelming and irrational, fear of distress that is usually associated with other fears.  Usually lasting for roughly thirty minutes or so, and occasionally much shorter or longer, there are several primary symptoms associated with the panic attacks.

For example, those who have experienced them generally state that there is a brief onset of trembling, followed by a shortness of breath.  These are considered the minor symptoms, although for those who experience a heavier, longer panic attacks, symptoms can and usually are much more severe.  Ranging from heart palpitations to hyperventilation to choking or smothering, panic attacks can cause an individual severe pain and can have lasting consequences.

The medical community has arrived at a general consensus that panic attacks stem from other phobias, or fears, which in turn triggers a panic attack upon exposure to these fears.  If a person suffers from acrophobia, or fear of heights, for instance, upon flying in an airplane, this phobia may be triggered, causing the person to enter a panicked state and, hence, have a panic attack.

During a panic attack, the “flight vs. fight” reaction comes into play and the person experiencing the attack suddenly has an overwhelming desire to leave the situation they are currently in.  Moreover, chest pains or restricted breathing often accompanies this “flight vs. fight” reaction and this, potentially leading to feelings of impending doom, frequently spurs the sufferer to seek medical attention.

Of course, this can be quite difficult, especially if an individual is in a plane or some other highly restricted area, and, as a result, a panic attack can often lead others to react in ways they are typically not accustomed to reacting, further heightening the already heightened tension.

Finally, it is important to note that panic attacks are experienced by roughly ten-percent of the population and are in no way indicative of some underlying medical disorder or psychological problem.  Most of the time, normal people, ones who are completely healthy, are those who experience panic attacks.

So what are panic attacks lasting period. It was observed that most will last anywhere between two and eight minutes, panic attacks come on in waves, sometimes mild and sometimes intense, and, in most cases, ending in a deep physical exhaustion.  This is due, primarily, to the “flight vs. fight,” reaction and the accompanying adrenaline that is released when the body undergoes this reaction.

With such a sudden release of adrenaline, the sufferer experiences a soaring high, only to experience a rock bottom low when the adrenaline has done its job and is no longer being released.  This type of up and down can have harmful consequences on a person’s body, especially if a person experiences several panic attacks a day.

If this occurs, it is important that the individual consult his physician, who can help diagnose the problem and provide assistance by giving the sufferer some anti-anxiety medication to help curb these panic attacks. He can also explain to you just what are panic attacks and how to treat it.

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