What is a Panic Attack?

Panic attacks, which affect roughly one-third of Americans, and perhaps many more who are simply unaware that they are even suffering from panic attacks, involve a period of intense, often overwhelming and irrational, fear of distress that are usually associated with other fears.  Lasting for roughly thirty minutes or so, and occasionally much shorter or longer, there are several primary symptoms associated with the panic attacks.  For example, those who have experienced them generally state that there is a brief onset of trembling, followed by a shortness of breath.  These are considered the minor symptoms, although for those who experience a heavier, longer panic attacks, symptoms can and usually are much more severe.  Ranging from heart palpitations to hyperventilation to choking or smothering, panic attacks can cause an individual severe pain and can have lasting consequences. 

There is a general consensus among the medical community that panic attacks stem from other phobias, or fears, which in turn triggers a panic attack upon exposure to these fears.  If a person suffers from acrophobia, or fear of heights, for instance, upon flying in an airplane, this phobia may be triggered, causing the person to enter a panicked state and, hence, have a panic attack.  During a panic attack, the "flight vs. fight" reaction comes into play and the person experiencing the attack suddenly has an overwhelming desire to leave the situation they are currently in.  Moreover, chest pains or restricted breathing often accompanies this "flight vs. fight" reaction and this, potentially leading to feelings of impending doom, frequently spurs the sufferer to seek medical attention.  Of course, this can be quite difficult, especially if an individual is in a plane or some other highly restricted area, and, as a result, a panic attack can often lead others to react in ways they are typically not accustomed to reacting, further heightening the already heightened tension.  Finally, it is important to note that panic attacks are experienced by roughly ten-percent of the population and are in no way indicative of some underlying medical disorder or psychological problem.  Most of the time, normal people, ones who are completely healthy, are those who experience panic attacks.   

Typically lasting anywhere between two and eight minutes, panic attacks come on in waves, sometimes mild and sometimes intense, and, in most cases, ending in a deep physical exhaustion.  This is due, primarily, to the "flight vs. fight," reaction and the accompanying adrenaline that is released when the body undergoes this reaction.  With such a dramatic release of adrenaline, the sufferer experiences a soaring high, only to experience a rock bottom low when the adrenaline has done its job and is no longer being released.  This type of up and down can have harmful consequences on a person's body, especially if a person experiences several panic attacks a day.  If this occurs, it is important that an individual consult a doctor, who can help diagnose the problem and provide assistance by giving the sufferer some anti-anxiety medication that can help curb these panic attacks. 

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