Panic Attacks: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment Tips

What Are Panic Attacks?

Panic attacks are a sudden and intense fear that can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or a feeling like you’re having a heart attack. Panic attacks can be very frightening and often leave people feeling helpless.

If you think you’re having a panic attack, try to stay calm and don’t fight the feelings. Instead, let them wash over you and then gradually subside. It’s important to remember that the feelings will eventually go away. You may also want to try some of the following tips:

• Breathe deeply and slowly
• Focus on something calming, like nature or your favorite music
• Distract yourself by doing something active
• Talk to someone you trust
• Remind yourself that the feelings you’re having are not dangerous or harmful and will go away

Symptoms Of Panic Attack

People should know the symptoms of panic attacks that will help people identify if they are having one and what to do about it. A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear that can be accompanied by physical symptoms. If you think you’re having a panic attack, try to stay calm and don’t fight the feelings. Instead, let them wash over you and then gradually subside. The symptoms of a panic attack can vary from person to person, but typically include-

• A feeling of intense fear, terror, or impending doom
• Sweating
• A racing heart (or rapid heartbeat)
• Feeling short of breath (also known as hyperventilation)
• A feeling like you’re choking
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Feeling like your heart is pounding or fluttering
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Chills or hot flashes
• Feeling like you’re detached from your body
• Fear of losing control
• Feeling like everything is unreal
• Tingling sensations
• Trouble swallowing or “cotton mouth” (dry mouth)

Causes Of Panic Attacks 

There is no one cause for panic attacks, but there are several factors that can contribute to them. Some of these factors include genetics, certain medications, and environmental stress. If you know what’s triggering your panic attacks and can avoid those triggers, it may help to prevent future attacks from happening.

For example, some common stressors that can contribute to or cause panic attacks to include-

• Stress at work or in school
• Relationship problems
• Trouble sleeping
• Traumatic events
• Caffeine
• Drugs, alcohol, or nicotine
• Excessive caffeine intake
• Not eating enough

Feeling very hungry or drinking too much caffeine are both things that can trigger a panic attack. So if you know what’s triggering them for you, try to avoid those triggers as much as possible.

How To Diagnose If You are Having Panic Attacks?

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a panic attack, it’s important to seek help from a professional. Panic attacks can be very frightening and often leave people feeling helpless. If you think you’re having a panic attack, try to stay calm and don’t fight the feelings. Instead, let them wash over you and then gradually subside.

Questionnaire to Assess Panic Attack

The Panic Attack Questionnaire is a tool used to help identify if someone is experiencing panic attacks. The questionnaire asks about the frequency and severity of panic attacks, as well as the symptoms that are experienced. So it can be used to help diagnose panic attacks, as well as track the progress of treatment.

The questionnaire is typically filled out by the person who is experiencing the panic attacks, but can also be filled out by a family member or friend. It can be used to help identify if someone is experiencing panic attacks, as well as track the progress of treatment.

The Panic Attack Questionnaire

1. Have you felt constantly or repeatedly plagued with one or more of the following symptoms?
2. Do these attacks come out of nowhere and reach their peak within about 10 minutes?
3. During an attack, do you fear that you are dying, having a heart attack, going crazy, or escalating to a more serious panic attack?
4. For at least one month, have you had repeated attacks of intense anxiety or panic?
5. Do these attacks occur suddenly and reach their peak within about 10 minutes?
6. Do you fear that you are dying, going crazy, or losing control during an episode?
7. Are you experiencing panic attacks, but are afraid of saying something about it?

Are you seeking professional help, or are you afraid of what someone might think if they found out you were struggling with anxiety? If any of the questions above seem familiar to you, it’s important to seek help. We’re all here for you!

The panic attack starts when a person has a strong urge to escape from a situation where they feel trapped, like being in an elevator. The feelings escalate quickly and reach their peak within 10 minutes.

When people have panic attacks, they often think that they’re having a heart attack or that they’re going crazy or losing control.

What To Do When You Have a Panic Attack?

When people have panic attacks, they often think that they’re having a heart attack or that they’re going crazy or losing control.

• It’s important to try to stay calm and not fight the feelings. Instead, let them wash over you and then gradually subside. Remind yourself that the feelings won’t hurt you and will go away.
• If possible, it’s a good idea to try to focus on something calming, like nature or your favorite music. It can also be helpful to distract yourself by doing something active, like going for a walk.
• Doing this may help bring your heart rate down and reduce the intensity of the panic.
• It’s also important to know that panic attacks are not dangerous, so it’s okay to let them happen. It might help to talk about what you’re feeling with someone you trust.
• Doing this can be helpful because it can show the person that they have more control over their anxiety than they think!
• The first step to taking back control of your life is recognizing that you are struggling with anxiety.

You can do this by opening up and talking about it with the people in your life, seeking professional help, or even filling out a questionnaire like the one above! The more that people know what you’re going through, the easier it will be to fight these urges. It’s important to remember that you are not alone, and there is a community of people who can help! Let your struggles become a story to empower others!

People typically experience panic attacks as being out of control or losing control, having difficulty breathing, having chest pain, or an intense feeling of anxiety in the chest. The first step to taking back control of your life is recognizing that you are struggling with anxiety. You can do this by opening up and talking about it with the people in your life, seeking professional help, or even filling out a questionnaire like the one above! The more that people know what you’re going through, the easier it will be to fight these urges.

Advice When You Have A Panic Attack

• Breathe deeply and slowly. Try breathing in for five seconds, holding, then breathing out for five seconds.
• Focus on something calming, like nature or your favorite music.
• Distract yourself by doing something active. Work, exercise, clean house, write an article… anything to take your mind off of the frightening thoughts.
• Talk to someone you trust. They may be able to help you figure out what’s triggering the attack and how to calm yourself down.
• Remind yourself that the feelings you’re having are not dangerous or harmful and will go away.

Tips To Help Someone Who Is Having A Panic Attack?

When someone is having a panic attack-

• It’s important to stay calm and try to help them relax
• It can be helpful to talk about what they’re feeling and to distract them by doing something active
• It’s also important to know that panic attacks are not dangerous, so it’s okay to let them happen
• It might help to talk about what you’re feeling with someone you trust. Doing this can be helpful because it can show the person that they have more control over their anxiety than they think

When someone is having a panic attack, it’s important to tell them that everything is going to be okay and that you’re there for them. It can also be helpful to talk about what they’re feeling and distract them by doing something active- such as playing a game or watching a movie. Finally, it might help to talk about what you’re feeling with someone you trust. Doing this can be helpful because it can show the person that they have more control over their anxiety than they think!

Treatment Of Panic Attacks

There are many ways to treat panic attacks, but the most important thing is to seek professional help. A therapist can help you understand what’s causing your panic attacks and give you tools to deal with them. There are also medications that can help, like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications.

It’s also important to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself physically. Try to get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly. This can help reduce stress and improve your mood.

Finally, it’s important to remember that panic attacks are not dangerous. They will eventually go away on their own. Don’t be afraid to let them happen – this can actually make them less intense. Talk to someone you trust, distract yourself or do something to take your mind off the sensations, and you’ll find that over time, they become less intense.

Lifestyle Changes To Prevent Panic Attack

There are many things that you can do to help prevent panic attacks from happening in the first place. Here are a few of the most important ones:

• Get enough sleep
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Take deep breaths and relax your muscles.

When to Seek Professional Help For “Panic Attacks”?

There are many ways to treat panic attacks, but the most important thing is to seek professional help. A therapist can help you understand what’s causing your panic attacks and give you tools to deal with them. There are also medications that can help, like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications.

It’s also important to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself physically. Try to get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly. This can help reduce stress and improve your mood.

Finally, it’s important to remember that panic attacks are not dangerous. They will eventually go away on their own. Don’t be afraid to let them happen – this can actually make them less intense. Talk to someone you trust, distract yourself or do something to take your mind off the sensations, and you’ll find that over time, they become less intense.

Conclusion

Panic attacks can be very frightening and debilitating. If you experience panic attacks, it is important to seek help from a doctor or therapist. There are many treatments available that can help you manage your panic attacks and lead a normal life. Remember, you are not alone in this struggle – millions of people suffer from panic attacks every year. With the right treatment and support, you can overcome them.

A Word From Therapy Mantra

Your mental health — Your psychological, emotional, and social well-being — has an impact on every aspect of your life. Positive mental health essentially allows you to effectively deal with life’s everyday challenges.

At TherapyMantra, we have a team of therapists who provide affordable online therapy to assist you with issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, workplace Issues, addiction, relationship, OCD, LGBTQ, and PTSD. You can book a free therapy or download our free Android or iOS app.