3 - Panic Attacks

Panic attack victims are not truly psychotic. However, panic attacks are included in the lesson on psychosis because they are intense, crippling emotional experiences that deeply alter the lives of the people affected. Panic attacks can prevent people from coping with life; they destroy people’s daily routines. Between attacks, people lead somewhat normal lives, but they are always in states of anxiety not knowing when panic may strike again.

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Panic attacks result in levels of anxiety that are so intense the victim is terrified and immobilized. Panic attacks can appear at any age, but young adults are subject to them more frequently. Some people may experience a few isolated attacks that do not develop into a panic disorder that is more chronic and more serious. If the disorder is untreated, it may become very disabling for the person. The fear of a panic attack can restrict everyday activities and may even keep the person home-bound. (See Lesson 3 on Phobias. Agoraphobia may affect two or three people in the same family.)

Causes

We have hinted at some of the factors that may cause panic attacks. Physical and psychological causes of panic disorder work together. Current research supports the theory that anxiety disorders may be the result of genetics (abnormal biochemistry) or the result of faulty thinking. Studies with twins have confirmed the possibility of “genetic inheritance” of the disorder.

In general, panic attacks seem to be linked with major turning points in life that are potentially stressful. For example, getting a divorce and losing your family, becoming chronically unemployed, or finding you are unable to pursue one of your favourite interests are all major transitions. When stress lowers a person’s resistance, the underlying physical predisposition kicks in and triggers an attack. 

Some factors contributing to panic attacks are stress, diet, bad breathing habits, grief, a bad heart, unique brain chemistry, and being a perfectionist.

Symptoms

In general, panic attacks or anxiety attacks are violent experiences. People commonly report that they feel as if they are going insane. People experience the helpless feeling that the symptoms will strike repeatedly and without warning. The symptoms may occur in a wide variety of situations—they can even happen while the person is asleep.

Some of the symptoms that occur during a panic attack include the following:

• People usually experience difficulty breathing.
• People cannot think clearly. Wrong signals are sent from the brain. Clear thinking stops completely.
• Adrenaline is discharged into the system, the pupils dilate, hands and feet get cold, and there is a tendency to sweat.
• Reduced oxygen supply reaches the heart causing an increase in heart rate. People often report that they feel they are experiencing a heart attack or stroke, that they are losing their mind, or that they are on the verge of death. Blood pressure may be affected causing the person to faint.
• Because of lack of oxygen throughout the body, the person feels weak, confused, and perhaps like they are suffocating.
• Strong feelings of impending doom and paralyzing fear are usual.
• Other physiological responses are hyperventilation, tremors, confusion, fatigue, and tingling in fingers or toes.

A recent study showed that people who suffer from panic disorders are more prone to alcohol and other substance abuse. In addition, they are greater suicide risks, spend less time in satisfying hobbies, tend to be financially dependent on others, and are afraid of driving more than a short distance from home. Panic disorder often leads to other complications such as phobias and depression.

Treatments

Panic disorder is highly treatable with a variety of available therapies. However, therapies must focus on all the victim’s needs—physical, psychological, and physiological. For panic attacks to initially be misdiagnosed as something else is not unusual.

If a person suffers repeated attacks (four or more), he or she should definitely seek help. The first part of therapy is largely informational. Many people are greatly helped by simply understanding exactly what panic disorder is and how many others suffer from it. The person is advised to find a therapist in the area and ask about background experience in treating panic attacks in particular.

Relaxation techniques are useful in helping someone get through an attack. These techniques include retraining in proper breathing and positive visualization.

In some cases medications may be needed to treat panic anxiety. Anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazephine may be prescribed as well as antidepressants. Finally, a support group can be very helpful to some people.

A famous person who has admitted to having problems with panic attacks is the singer Naomi Judd who used to make recordings and perform in concerts with her daughter, Wynonna.