What are panic attacks and how to handle them

My first panic attack was a nightmare. It happened three years ago. Then I broke up with a guy after a long relationship, one died, there were problems with health and money - once just a lot of bulk. I often nervous, depressed all the time went.

One day I came home from the study, sat down on the sofa and suddenly felt that I was starting to choke. Heart beat faster, I began to shake, I felt such a strong fear that screamed. I do not understand where this fear came from. At first thought I was going crazy, and then all thoughts have disappeared, leaving only fear. I slipped from the sofa to the floor, leaning against the table and hugged her knees.

The next 30 minutes I was just shaking, screaming and crying. The house was empty, and that the need to call an ambulance, I thought, when it calmed down.

Panic attacks I come about once every six months, when long experience emotional stress. But I deal with it much better than the first time.

What is a panic attack and what are its symptoms

Panic attack - an attack is a strong irrational fear that can overtake

Answers to Your Questions about Panic Disorder at any time and in any place, even in a dream. It seems that now you go mad or die.

Seizures usually occur in adolescents and young adults, with women affected more often than men.

During a panic attack there are some of these symptomsPanic attacks and panic disorder or all at once:

• a sense of loss of control over a situation, or;
• feeling of unreality;
• Frequent palpitations;
• weakness, dizziness, and sometimes even fainting;
• headache;
• numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers;
• tide fever or chills;
• sweating;
• chest pain;
• shiver;
• shortness of breath or a lump in the throat;
• abdominal cramps and nausea;
• labored breathing.

Typically, the episodes last 5-30 minutes, although some symptoms persist longer.

When you need to call an ambulance

Medical care needAre you having panic attacks?, if a:

• Panic attack lasts longer than 20 minutes, and attempt to stop it to nothing lead.
• The victim feels sudden severe physical weakness and malaise. Usually it ends up fainting.
• During a panic attack sick heart. This may be a sign of a heart attack.

Where do panic attacks

It is unclear exactly what causes them. But experts sayPanic Attack SymptomsThat attacks can occur because of stress or life changes. For example, dismissal or exit to a new job, divorce, marriage, birth of a child, loss of a loved one.

Genetics also plays a role. If someone has a family member suffering from a panic attack, then you may be predisposed to this.

At risk are also smokers, Avid coffee drinkers and those who use drugs.

Why panic attacks are dangerous

Individual episodes are usually harmless. But panic attacks need to be treated if they are repeated, otherwise they will go into panic disorder. Because of him, people live in constant fear.

There are other complicationsPanic attacks and panic disorder:

• Specific phobias. For example, fear of driving or fly.
• Problems with academic performance in school or college, the deterioration of health.
• Isolation, unwillingness to interact with others.
• Depression or anxiety disorders.
• Thoughts of suicide, including attempts to commit suicide.
• Alcohol or drug abuse.
• Financial difficulties.

How to cope with panic attacks

I have seizures often occur at night, when there's nobody there. The first thing I do - immediately turn on the lights and any film or TV series (not horror), not to feel alone. Silence and darkness cause an even greater fear.

It may seem that the panic will not work and you will not be able to cope with them. But this is not the case. There are several ways to calm downPanic Attacks & Panic Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.

1. breathe deeply

In the attack time may appear shortness of breath, and one feels that it is not in control of himself. Tell yourself that shortness of breath - this is just a temporary symptom, it will soon pass. Then take a deep breath, wait a second, then exhale, mentally counting to four.

Repeat exercise until normal breathing is restored.

2. Relax your muscles

This will return you to control over the body. Squeeze hand into a fist and hold in this position for a count of 10. Then uncompress and completely relax your hand.

Try also to stretch and relax your legs, and then gradually work your way up through the body, affecting the buttocks, abdomen, back, arms, shoulders, neck and face.

3. Repeat setting positive

Try to yourself or out loud to say a few encouraging phrases. For example: "This is temporary. I'll be ok. I just need to breathe. I calm down. Things are good".

4. Focus on any object

Examine it to the smallest detail: color, size, pattern, shape. Try to think of other objects related to it. Compare them with each other, mentally locate the differences. This will help to get distracted and think less about the fear that you are experiencing.

5. Open the windows

If you are in a stuffy room, fresh air will help to recover.

How to treat panic attacks

If the attacks are repeated, consult your doctor. This will help prevent panic disorder or start his treatment.

First, contact the therapist, which, depending on the symptoms of order tests, and then send to a neurologist, psychotherapist or psychiatrist. It is important to get tested to rule out diseases of internal organs, as well as the problems thyroid, Blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Natalia Taranenko, neurologist of higher category

Panic disorders are treatedPanic Disorder: When Fear Overwhelms medication, with psychotherapy or complex.

Psychotherapy

Used cognitive-behavioral therapy. During her man learns to control themselves, their feelings and emotions. Panic attacks will go faster if you change the reaction to the physical sensations of fear and anxiety.

medicine

They help to cope with panic. The drug is particularly needed if seizures severe and control their own very difficult.

Some medications cause side effects: headaches, Nausea and insomnia. they are usually not dangerous, but if you feel them all the time, tell your doctor.