subject: Help For Panic Attacks - The Key Is Identifying The Cause [print this page] A panic attack can be described as an immediate rush of overwhelming anxiety and fear. You may feel your heart pound, become short of breath, feel dizzy, or think you are going crazy. In trying to get help for panic attacks, it becomes important to look at possible causes that are generating these out of control feelings.
Generally, panic attacks occur without any warning or obvious reason. They can strike while you are taking a walk, driving, sitting at home, shopping in the store, or while asleep. The symptoms usually peak within 10 minutes and end within 20-30 minutes, seldom lasting more than an hour. The panic-inducing situation is one that causes you to feel in danger with no available escape.
To better understand how to treat a panic attack, the key is identifying the cause:
Possible Causes
inheritance and genetics may play a factor
significant life changes: marriage, getting a first job, having a baby, graduating from college
major stress: divorce, job loss, death of a loved one
history of being physically or sexually abused as a child
medical conditions: hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, mitral valve prolapse
use of cocaine, amphetamines, and/or caffeine
withdrawal from medication
zinc or magnesium deficiency
People that suffer from panic attacks can have their quality of life seriously impacted in the following ways:
higher tendency towards alcohol or drug abuse
greater risk of suicide attempt
more time spent in hospital emergency rooms
fearful of driving more than a few miles from home
tendency towards being financially dependent on others
less time devoted towards sports, hobbies, and other interests
Help for panic attacks is available, and symptoms can be reduced or eliminated. Because there are so many possible causes, an important first step is to go to the doctor for a complete physical. If you discover that the attacks are being triggered from a physical condition, then they should stop after treating the physical cause. If the attacks are being caused by a particular anxiety or phobia, then you will need to attack the anxiety or phobia.
