Panic attacks, panic attacks, anxiety attacks or panic disorders are often called frequent anxiety attacks, which occur mostly suddenly and without initially apparent reason. In this case, the panic attacks are often accompanied by other symptoms, which often give the affected person the feeling of being in a life-threatening situation.
What are panic attacks?
Panic attacks are in principle always curable. Only the triggering causes must be found. However, this is often quite difficult and lengthy. Panic attacks are first of all, in contrast to normal anxiety, often repetitive attacks of fear or panic. Normally, fear is a vital and natural basic feeling, which alerts the brain and the body in case of danger. All reflexes, forces and concentrations are mobilized very quickly for a potential escape or a fight. However, if this fear occurs more frequently and recurrently, it is called a panic attack. Panic attacks almost always occur spontaneously and out of the blue and can last up to 30 minutes. Typical accompanying symptoms of a panic attack are usually dizziness, fear, anxiety, shortness of breath or hyperventilation, facial pallor, rapid heartbeat, inner restlessness, sweating and trembling. These symptoms often make the sufferer think that they are having a heart attack, stroke or circulatory shock, or that they are about to die. Statistically, panic attacks occur mostly in women under the age of 30. Unfortunately, many doctors often do not diagnose panic attacks, but concentrate more on the accompanying symptoms in order to find a physical cause. Then, tablets and medications are often prescribed, which do not alleviate the panic attacks in any way. Sufferers are often treated by several doctors for years without finding the right cause for their panic attacks. This, of course, in turn promotes uncertainty and thus fuels further anxiety attacks.
Causes
Panic attacks can occur, for example, both from fear of poisonous animals (e.g. spider phobia) or from fear of dangerous situations (e.g. fear of heights, claustrophobia). Often, however, those affected do not even know why they suffer from panic attacks, even in harmless situations. This in turn can then lead to a fear of possible worse causes or diseases. If the panic attacks accumulate, the patients can also be afraid of the fear and one speaks of an anxiety phobia (or also anxiety disorder). However, most panic attacks are caused by too much stress, social and professional problems (e.g., being overwhelmed, bullying, death of a loved one), too little sleep, too much alcohol and nicotine, and too little relaxation, physical exercise (sports), and a natural balance in nature.
Diseases with this symptom
- Fear of heights
- Exam anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Claustrophobia
- Dental phobia
- Epilepsy
- Anxiety disorder
- Fear of flying
- Hypoglycemia
Complications
If panic attacks remain untreated, they often take a chronic course. The anxiety attacks then occur at increasingly shorter intervals, and the anxiety-free intervals diminish progressively. In constant expectation of another panic attack, all situations that could trigger an attack are avoided: In particular, the fear of wide places (agoraphobia) and crowds occurs very frequently after repeated panic attacks. As a far-reaching complication, the pronounced avoidance behavior often entails social withdrawal and even the loss of the ability to work. In further consequence a depression can develop, which in the worst case leads to suicide. Even after successful therapy, the occurrence of panic attacks carries a higher risk of developing other mental disorders later in life. Attempts to combat anxiety attacks with alcohol often end in addiction. Even antidepressants prescribed by a doctor are not without risk: if they are abruptly discontinued after regular use, there is a risk of health problems such as dizziness, nausea and a recurrence of the panic attacks. Medical treatment with tranquilizers can also end in addiction, and subsequent withdrawal therapy not infrequently triggers panic attacks again.
When should you go to the doctor?
Already at the first panic attack, the way leads many affected people to the doctor, because they fear a heart attack or a stroke due to the strong symptoms, such as palpitations, dizziness and sweating. Regarding the physique, this visit to the doctor would be unnecessary. However, it can have a calming effect on the sufferer if he knows the cause of his symptoms and tries to understand the nature of panic attacks. Often this reassurance is enough and patients use their knowledge for the connection between stressful situations and anxiety to avoid further panic attacks in the first place. A further visit to the family doctor, possibly resulting in a referral to a psychologist or psychotherapist, is necessary if the panic attacks occur more frequently. They could then significantly limit the life of the affected person, so that psychological support is needed. The danger of leaving panic attacks untreated lies in two complications. Firstly, the patient may develop avoidance behavior with regard to all situations (subway, restaurant, airplane) in which such attacks have already occurred. Secondly, there is the threat of so-called anticipatory anxiety. This means that the panic has already become so entrenched in the thoughts of the affected person that he anxiously waits for the next attack and thus provokes it. At the latest then further medical support is necessary, so that this cycle can be broken for example with a purposeful behavior therapy.
Treatment and therapy
In principle, panic attacks are always curable. Only the triggering causes must be found. However, this is often quite difficult and lengthy and requires a lot of inner strength and motivation on the part of the person affected. First of all, the sufferer should find a good doctor who will not declare him crazy (because he is not at all) and who will take his panic attacks seriously and diagnose them as such. He will then usually refer them to a specialist (for example a psychologist) or to a trained psychotherapist. Together with this specialist, the patient’s life is then examined in detail in order to find possible causes for the panic attacks. Autogenic training and progressive muscle relaxation have proven to be particularly effective therapeutic tools. They provide inner balance and give strength to cope with problems in everyday life and at work. However, it is crucial for a cure of the panic attacks that they find and eliminate the causes in their lives, even if this should mean a complete change of their previous way of life. Psychotropic drugs should be prescribed by a doctor only in very severe cases. More favorable for body and soul are herbal products from valerian and lemon balm.
Outlook and prognosis
Panic attacks occur in many people and lead to a greatly reduced quality of life. Thus, simple processes in everyday life can no longer be performed in the usual way. It is hardly possible to get through everyday work with panic attacks anymore, and even attending school is relatively difficult. If they are triggered by stress or by a special situation and do not occur permanently, the panic attacks do not necessarily have to be treated by a doctor. In this case, the patient can often bring the panic attacks under control himself. However, if the panic attacks occur frequently and lead to very bad feelings, therapy is definitely necessary. For example, panic attacks often lead to rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness and profuse sweating. In many cases, a heart attack also occurs due to the panic attacks. Many people also faint during severe panic attacks. Treatment is done with medication and with therapy. The medications have a calming effect and are meant to prevent the panic attacks from occurring. Talks with a psychologist also help to reduce panic attacks, as their causes are treated. Therapy often leads to success, but it may take several months before it is effective and the panic attacks recede.
Home remedies and herbs for panic attacks.
Prevention
Above all, avoid stress, too much alcohol and nicotine. Move a lot in nature and do sports regularly. Solve social and professional problems quickly if possible.Autogenic training and progressive muscle relaxation also have a preventive effect, which can strengthen them mentally against the pitfalls of everyday life and thus prevent panic attacks.
What you can do yourself
In case of panic attacks, the patient should definitely take shelter and sit down or lie down. Taking deep breaths and drinking plenty of fluids will also help during a panic attack. Ideally, friends, family or colleagues should be notified and be with the affected person so that the panic can disappear. Those suffering from panic attacks should not wear clothing that is too warm. Airy clothes and especially those that are easy to take off are ideal. Valerian helps against panic attacks and for general calming. This can be taken in the form of tablets or tea before going to sleep or during the day. In the pharmacy there are also other herbal remedies that serve to calm the body. Unnecessary stress should be avoided in any case. The patient should not get involved in heated discussions or arguments to prevent the panic attacks. Before going to sleep, relaxation exercises, such as yoga, are worthwhile. Ordinary conversations with friends or with the partner often help against the panic. However, the affected person must admit to himself that he suffers from the symptom. If self-help does not lead to success, a psychologist must be consulted in any case.
