Lets look at the definition of a panic attack
A defintion of a panic attack is a severe feeling of fear or anxiety.Many times the fear is irrational meaning the person is in no physical danger when the fear appears. The person is usually safe but the fear builds to the point, they feel like they’re going to die.
For each person having a panic attack, the symptoms can be extremely different. The symptoms can often seem like a heart attack and the person may believe it is a heart attack they are experiencing. The persons may experience changes in their breathing which causes the throat to tighten up. The person may feel dizzy, clammy, shaky, sweaty, lightheaded and other symotoms.
Although a person having a panic attack may feel like they are about to die, medical evidence suggest these attacks are not serious. It is still advisable to a medical opinion to rule out other medical conditions. The reason being is there are conditions like medical withdrawal, mitral valve prolapse and others that have the exact same symptoms. So it may be advisable to get a medical opinion before starting treatment.
A further definition of panic attacks would be a moment of intense fear followed by symptoms of the fight or flight mechanism. The fight or flight response which prepares us to run or stand up and flight is a very old inbuilt system. Years ago the system was a survival mechanisms to help us fight of danger or wild animals. Instead these fears have turned into irrational fears ranging from fear of rejection, fear of success, fear of failure. These fears have no real danger but cause the fight or flight mechanism to go off.
A further definition of a panic attack is a moment of intense fear or dread. We normally label feelings into two categories bad or good, meaning pleasure and pain. WIth fear we associate it with pain so we try to avoid feeling it. We then develop a fear of the fear.
With a panic attack this can lead to the person withdrawing, avoiding situations and may possible develop into further disorders.
Panic attacks do interfere with every day life so it is a good idea to seek treatment. What form of treatment depends on the individual? There are many treatments available from medical assistance, hypnosis, counselling, cognitive therapies, accupunture and many other treatments.
There is no really known cause of panic attacks but many believe it is relates to the flight or fight system inside our body.
Another reasons may be thorugh stress, certain medical conditions, life experience, trauma and other such things.
There are certain things you can do like avoiding caffeine in particular coffee, getting plenty of rest, trying relaxation techniques, acupuncture, healthy diet, avoid sugars, aromatherapy plus many others.
Remember there is a way to be free of panic attacks, there are treatments that help.