How panic attacks develop and appear
A panic attack usually comes unexpectedly as well as suddenly and usually disappears within a very short time. For a large number of those affected, panic comes out of the blue. That sounds a little trivial; but it’s not. For those affected, who have to endure panic attacks from time to time or even more often, it is usually a great burden.
Definition and frequency
A panic attack is defined as repeated (at least monthly) panic attacks and the resulting fear of a serious illness or the renewed approach of a situation that could trigger such an attack. Such a panic attack is experienced by up to 22% of all people at least once in their lives. It is not uncommon for panic disorder to occur in clusters within a family. This fear reaction is triggered in the amygdala, which is a part of the brain area that connects new information with emotions. The amygdala is responsible for, among other things, impulse-driven, emotional behavior and the control of the fear response.
Panic attacks and their accompanying symptoms
Those who suffer from recurrent panic attacks experience downright anxiety attacks. These can erupt during certain encounters (e.g., dogs, spiders), in certain places (e.g., elevators, bridges, open spaces), or in certain situations (e.g., confined spaces, crowds). In these cases, they are linked to a key panic-inducing stimulus (trigger). However, the fear can also attack the affected person for no reason, as if out of nowhere. A panic attack can sometimes trigger very severe physical symptoms. Occasionally, these can assume an extent that sufferers suspect a serious illness behind them. These then suffer from at least four of the following symptoms, which can also occur simultaneously:
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Sensory disturbances
- strong palpitations
- Trembling
- Cold shower
- Hot flashes
- Tightness or pain in the chest
- Suffocation
- Nausea or other gastrointestinal symptoms
- Fear of loss of control
- Fear of death
Some hyperventilate, breathing in and out very rapidly, which can lead to dizziness and convulsions and even fainting. Meanwhile, anxiety continues to rise. Although a panic attack usually lasts only a few minutes, in certain cases it can last for several hours. Only when the panic attack has passed its peak and gradually subsides, do the symptoms also recede.
Panic attacks often leave their mark permanently
Those people who have faced a panic attack in the course of their lives not infrequently develop an additional deep-seated anxiety. Because there is always a fear that this circumstance could repeat itself. To prevent it from getting to that point, situations similar to the one in which the panic attack was triggered are avoided. Those affected withdraw further and further into a vicious circle of fear. More and more the fear of anxiety takes over, which leads to social withdrawal and a strong impairment of everyday life. This often results in additional psychological problems, such as anxiety disorders, which is a pathological form of anxiety.
More about fear as a disease
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When fear becomes a disease
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