Mental Health Counseling

The Real Thing

• Rapid heart rate
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Shortness of breath
• Hyperventilation
• Chills
• Hot flashes
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramping
• Chest pain
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Faintness
• Tightness in your throat
• Trouble swallowing
• A sense of impending death

The list, compiled by the clinic, is very scary.  No wonder a panic attack feels like you might actually be dying.  It is not hard to imagine why doctors may put you through a plethora of tests.  Yet, they will probably not find any reason for the illness. 

You might start to feel better in a matter of minutes.  But, a panic attack is not on the clock.  An episode of panic can last an entire day.  Imagine feel like you are on the verge of death for more than a day, and knowing you are experiencing a panic attack.  No wonder people start to think they have a mental illness.

Reasons for Panic Attacks

Having a mental illness or panic disorder does not mean that you are crazy.  In fact, there is no definitive reason why people suffer from panic attacks.  Some health care professionals think it may have something to do with heredity.  If you have a relative who has the disorder, maybe you will be more likely to also develop panic attacks.

Some doctors may attribute panic attacks to the level of stress in your life.  However, it may not explain the people who will develop agoraphobia.  Oftentimes, if panic attacks become too severe and frequent, a person will simply take a permanent sabbatical from life.  The thought of even leaving the house is impossible.  Sufferers may even have friends do their shopping and run other errands.  They are too afraid of where they will be, or what they will be doing, when the next attack happens.

Another plausible reason for uncontrollable panic attacks is changes in brain function.  In normal situations of high stress and fear, it is normal to panic.  For instance, if you see a tornado heading in your direction, your heart rate will increase rapidly.  A lot of things will be going through your mind and body in a split second.  You have the natural instinct to survive, so you will run to the basement, leave your car and hit the ditch, or whatever you can do to get out of the path of nature’s wrath.

In a panic attack, your brain can go into survival mode without any legitimate reason.  The feelings and bodily reactions may be similar, but you are actually quite safe.  Your intellect may try to tell you that nothing is wrong, but everything else is in hyper drive.  For those who have suffered multiple episodes of panic attacks, it is no wonder it becomes almost impossible to go anywhere or do anything.

Treatment

For those who suffer from panic disorder, they do not have to be without hope.  Medical help is available to ease the symptoms and make life more livable again.  The first treatment for panic disorder is generally medication.  It will help control the overwhelming feelings of stress. The next order of business is psychotherapy for panic attacks.

In the beginning, you may simply be schooled in the potential causes and symptoms of panic attacks.  You will learn what to do, in order to help get the symptoms under control, if you feel a panic attack coming on. You will learn what can be done to help you lead a normal life again.  However, the next step will be much harder.  You will probably have to go through desensitization. 

At first, the doctor will probably accompany you on outings-to situations that you have learned to avoid.  If a panic attack is emanate, you will be reminded of what to do, in an effort to regain control.  You may then progress to going out with a trusted friend; going to a friend’s home where you feel safe; and eventually you may be able to venture back out alone.

Panic attacks are nothing less than terrifying.  In fact, they can be totally debilitating.  But, you or someone you care about is not without hope.  Seek professional medical care, so life may be livable again.