In fact, while they may feel longer, most panic attacks only last around 10 minutes. If you begin to experience anxiety symptoms that affect your daily life, your attacks increase in intensity or duration, or you just need extra help with coping, reach out to a mental health professional. For those who seek treatment from a mental health professional, two-thirds reportedly achieve remission within 6 months.
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Skip to main content. Home Anxiety. Panic attack. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. What is a panic attack? Some people may develop panic disorders For many people, the feelings of panic occur only occasionally during periods of stress or illness.
Symptoms Symptoms of a panic attack can include: Heightened vigilance for danger and physical symptoms Anxious and irrational thinking A strong feeling of dread, danger or foreboding Fear of going mad, losing control, or dying Feeling lightheaded and dizzy Tingling and chills, particularly in the arms and hands Trembling or shaking, sweating Hot flushes Accelerated heart rate A feeling of constriction in the chest Breathing difficulties, including shortness of breath Nausea or abdominal distress Tense muscles Dry mouth Feelings of unreality and detachment from the environment.
Acute stress such as experiencing a traumatic event — can suddenly flood the body with large amounts of stress chemicals. Habitual hyperventilation — disturbs the balance of blood gases because there is not enough carbon dioxide in the blood. Having depression.
Having irrational fears phobias. Having other anxiety disorders , such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Having trouble relating to other people in social settings because of intense feelings of anxiety. What Increases Your Risk Your risk for panic attacks and panic disorder may be higher if you: Have a family history of panic disorder. You are also at increased risk if you have a parent with either depression or bipolar disorder. Have other conditions associated with panic disorder or panic attacks, such as depression.
Drink alcohol, use illegal drugs, chain-smoke cigarettes, or drink large amounts of coffee or other caffeinated beverages. Take medicines known to trigger panic attacks, such as those used to treat asthma or heart problems.
Have had previous, unexpected panic attacks. When should you call your doctor? Call your doctor if you have: Attacks of intense fear or anxiety that seem to come on without a reason. A panic attack or worry that you will have another one, and your worrying interferes with your ability to do your daily activities.
Occasional physical symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain , and you are not sure what is causing them. Watchful waiting It can be hard to tell the difference between the symptoms of a panic attack such as shortness of breath and chest pain and the symptoms of a heart attack or another serious medical problem. Who to see The following health professionals can diagnose panic attacks. They may work together with other health professionals to treat panic attacks and panic disorder: Emergency medicine specialist Family medicine physician General practitioner Physician assistant Nurse practitioner Treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder may also be provided by a: Psychiatrist.
Licensed professional counselor. Exams and Tests You may be diagnosed with panic disorder if you have at least two unexpected panic attacks along with fear or worry about having another panic attack and avoiding situations that may trigger it. Treatment Overview Successful treatment reduces how many panic attacks you have and how often you have them.
Treatment may include: Professional counseling , such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. To learn more, see Other Treatment. Medicines, such as an antidepressant or a benzodiazepine. Home treatment, such as relaxation exercises.
Prevention Panic disorder cannot be prevented. Home Treatment Here are steps you can take to decrease the number of panic attacks you have. These steps can also reduce the severity of your symptoms when an attack does occur: Reduce anxiety. Do tension-reducing activities, and lower the amount of stress in your life. Do relaxation exercises. These involve 10 to 20 minutes of deep breathing and muscle relaxation each day.
Changing how you think can change how you feel—and that can reduce your anxiety. Noticing negative thoughts and replacing them with helpful ones is one way to do this. Get your breathing and heart rate up several times a week. Limit alcohol and caffeine or avoid them completely. Eat a balanced diet. This means eating fresh, healthy foods and limiting your intake of foods that are high in sugar and fat. Support for the family When a person has panic attacks, his or her entire family is affected.
Medications Medicines for panic disorder are used to control the symptoms of panic attacks, reduce their number and severity, and reduce the anxiety and fear linked with having another attack. Medicine choices Medicines used most often to treat panic attacks include: Antidepressants , such as Paxil, Prozac, or Zoloft. Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan, Valium, or Xanax. Medicines sometimes used to treat panic disorder include: Antidepressants , such as Anafranil, Norpramin, and Tofranil.
Antidepressants with mixed neurotransmitter effects, such as Effexor. Other Treatment Counseling Medicines to treat panic disorder often may prevent another panic attack.
Support groups and self-help Support groups are often good places to share information, problem-solving tips, and emotions related to panic disorder. Online discussion forums and websites may also offer information and support.
Relaxation exercises Body-centered relaxation exercises can be useful for reducing anxiety and treating symptoms of stress. They include: Breathing exercises , such as roll breathing a type of deep breathing.
Progressive muscle relaxation. This reduces muscle tension by relaxing individual muscle groups. This uses the aroma-producing oils essential oils from plants to promote relaxation. Yoga , tai chi, and qi gong , and other forms of exercise and meditation. They typically require initial instruction. Mindfulness activities Mindfulness activities are techniques that help relax the mind.
These techniques include: Meditation , where you focus your attention on the things that are happening right now in the present moment. One way to do this is by paying attention to your breathing. Stress Management: Doing Meditation Guided imagery visualization. This is a method of using your imagination to help you relax and release tension caused by stress.
Your body responds to the images in your mind. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with panic disorder. Huppert JC, et al. Anxiety disorders: Cognitive-behavioral therapy. In BJ Sadock et al. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Clinical features of the anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders: Somatic treatment. Department of Health and Human Services Washington, DC: U.
Government Printing Office. Vannice GK Medical nutrition therapy for psychiatric conditions. In LK Mahan et al. St Louis: Saunders. Credits Current as of: September 23, Top of the page Next Section: Health Tools.
Can panic disorder be prevented or avoided? Panic disorder treatment The two most common ways to treat panic disorder are through counseling and through medicine. There are several medicines that can make panic attacks less severe or stop them altogether. How long does treatment last? Living with panic disorder Panic attacks are often unpredictable, even after your diagnosis.
Physical activity can help you minimize stress. It can also calm your mind. Not getting enough rest can leave you groggy. It can also cause you to be more emotional. This may make you more prone to anxiety and an attack.
Skip the alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and any recreational drugs. Any of these can trigger a panic attack or make it worse. Join a support group. Many times, simply talking about your panic disorder can create a feeling that you have power over it.
Questions to ask your doctor What is causing my panic disorder? What treatment is best for me? Should I take a medicine? Will I have to take medicine the rest of my life?
Is there any kind of therapy I should try? How long will I have to be in therapy? What should I do? Is there a possibility that my panic attacks will come back after treatment? Last Updated: October 2, This article was contributed by: familydoctor. Tags: Anxiety , anxiety disorders , panic attack , panic attacks , panic disorder , phobia. Related Articles. Read about how to cope with depression and suicidal thoughts.
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