What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear.
It triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.
Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you're losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.
Between episodes of an attack, a person becomes anxious and nervous about an impending attack, unfortunately, this unfounded fear increases the likelihood of a recurrence of the attack.
This psycho-neurological disorder is well known to a large part of the world's population.
Many people have just one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes, and the problem goes away, perhaps when a stressful situation ends. But if you've had recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, you may have a condition called panic disorder.
Symptoms
Panic attacks typically include some of these signs or symptoms:
- Sense of impending doom or danger
- Fear of loss of control or death
- Rapid, pounding heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Chills
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Abdominal cramping
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Faintness
- Headache
- Numbness
Causes
It's not known what causes panic attacks or panic disorder, but these factors may play a role:
Genetics
Major stress
Temperament that is more sensitive to stress or prone to negative emotions
Certain changes in the way parts of your brain function
Panic attacks may come on suddenly and without warning at first, but over time, they're usually triggered by certain situations.
Risk factors
Symptoms of panic disorder often start in the late teens or early adulthood and affect more women than men.
Factors that may increase the risk of developing panic attacks or panic disorder include:
- Family history of panic attacks or panic disorder
- Major life stress, such as the death or serious illness of a loved one
- A traumatic event, such as sexual assault or a serious accident
- Major changes in your life, such as a divorce or the addition of a baby
- Smoking or excessive caffeine intake
- History of childhood physical or sexual abuse
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/panic-attacks/symptoms-
causes/syc-20376021
