Panic attack symptoms and causes

By Dr. Sachin Singh | 22nd Nov 2021

Panic attack symptoms and causes

What is a Panic attack?

A panic attack is a brief period of extremely high anxiety accompanied by unpleasant physical symptoms. Shortness of breath and dizziness are among the panic attack symptoms that can accompany a rapid heartbeat. Anxiety attacks can strike at any time, without warning, and for no apparent reason. Many people experience anxiety attacks only when they are under a lot of stress or are sick. It’s a sort of anxiety illness known as a panic disorder when a person suffers from frequent panic episodes. They frequently suffer from anxiety attacks that come out of nowhere, as well as a constant fear of recurrence.

Anxiety attacks aren’t necessarily a sign of a more serious panic disorder. The following panic attack symptoms are included in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for the diagnosis of panic disorder:
You suffer from panic episodes that come out of nowhere.
An anxiety attack that has left you fearful of the consequences of an attack, such as losing control or having a heart attack or “going mad,” for at least a month has been followed by major behavioural adjustments, such as avoiding circumstances that you think might cause an attack.

Can you have panic attacks at night? Do nocturnal attacks exist?

Yes, Nocturnal panic attacks exist. They are normally short-lived, although it can take time to settle down and get back to sleep afterwards. People who suffer from nighttime panic attacks are also more likely to suffer from anxiety attacks throughout the day.
You may wake up from a nocturnal panic episode with no apparent cause.

Like a panic attack that occurs during the day, you may experience perspiration and high heart rate as well as shaking, shortness of breath, heavy breathing (hyperventilation), flushing or chills, and an overwhelming sensation of dread and imminent disaster. A heart attack or other serious medical illness could be mistaken for these symptoms. However, anxiety attacks are not life-threatening.

Exactly what triggers panic episodes is a mystery. Genetics, stress and changes in the way areas of your brain function can all play a role. Panic-like sensations may be caused by an underlying illness such as a sleep disorder or a thyroid problem. Consult with your doctor about your symptoms and the possibility of an underlying illness. It is possible to prevent panic episodes by using cognitive behavioural therapy or medication, or both.

Panic disorder causes

  • The actual cause of the panic disorder is unknown, as is the case with many other mental health issues. Bereavement, for example, is regarded to be a factor in the development of the disorder, as can be a traumatic or stressful life experience.
  • The body creates higher-than-normal quantities of stress hormones like adrenaline as a result of chronic (ongoing) stress.
  • Adrenaline rushes into the body at significant levels during times of acute stress (such as when confronted with a horrific event).
  • Chronically low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood result from habitual hyperventilation, which throws the body’s balance out of whack.
  • Excessive physical activity might have adverse effects on some people.
  • Coffee, tea and other liquids contain caffeine, a powerful stimulant.
  • A person’s physical appearance can be altered as a result of illness.
  • Walking into a crowded, stuffy, or hot area is an example of an abrupt shift in the environment.

Derealization, cardiac panic, and respiratory panic were identified as the three forms of panic that remained stable over time and for which credible scales were developed using multidimensional scaling (MDS).

Some of the following signs of a panic attack:

  • Doomsday or a sense of imminent peril
  • Fear of death or loss of control.
  • An excruciatingly fast heartbeat.
  • Sweating.
  • shaking or trembling.
  • Breathlessness and/or a feeling of tightness in the throat.
  • Chills.
  • Flickering heat.

Panic attack treatment

Drugs or other substance abuse, a medical ailment or another mental health disorder such as obsessive-compulsive disorder are not to blame for your panic attacks.
It doesn’t matter whether or not you have been diagnosed with a panic condition; you can still benefit from therapy. In the absence of treatment, panic episodes have the potential to worsen and turn into panic disorders or phobias.
True, panic disorder is never eliminated. Although it can be well managed to the point that it no longer significantly impacts your life, it can be done. For one thing, panic disorder manifests itself in a wide variety of ways from person to person.

For the treatment of the panic disorder, the FDA has approved fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) as SSRIs (Zoloft). Drugs that impede the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline (SNRIs). Antidepressants are a subclass of these drugs.

An effective countdown distraction trick-. Look around for 5 things, try to touch 4 things, listen to at least 3 things, try and smell 2 things and taste 1 thing. This will help you understand how your body and mind respond to unpleasant events and might help you cope more effectively.

It’s still unclear whether nutritional supplements can cure the panic disorder, but they have been investigated in the past. Unlike pharmaceuticals, herbal goods and dietary supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. You never know what you’re getting or whether it’s safe.
Consult your physician before consuming any herbal medicines or nutritional supplements. A few of these products may interact with prescription drugs in a harmful way.
If your or another person’s symptoms indicate a panic attack, seek immediate medical attention. In the event of an emergency, call for an ambulance.

Hence, after consulting with your doctor, your doctor may prescribe you medicine according to your health condition. So, you can buy medicine at your nearest medical store or if you are looking for online medicine and also for free online doctor consultation. You can refer to our Truemeds physician which provides free online consultations. We also provide you with  PAN India home medicine delivery, with a discount offer, and monthly savings on your medical bill. 

Our online pharmacy Truemeds, provides the highest-quality medications, supplements and other healthcare products at the lowest prices. We provide all varieties of medications, including branded, over-the-counter, and nutritional supplements, as well as Generic medicines online at an affordable price. We are India’s most reliable and genuine online medicines supplier. When you select an alternative or generic drug that is advised by our Truemeds expert doctors, you may be able to save up to 72% on your medical bill.

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