Table of Contents
Panic Attack Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
What are Panic Attacks?
Panic attacks are the momentary surge of intense fear and anxiety that people feel some time after they are exposed to a life-threatening event. This article will discuss the symptoms and causes of panic attacks as well as prevention tactics for individuals in social situations. Panic attack treatment can help most people control or even stop attacks.
Panic attacks are often a sudden onset of intense anxiety, fear, or discomfort that can last several minutes to hours. Thus, rapid heartbeats and increased production of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline defines panic attack. With panic attacks, it’s not uncommon for people to be unable to recall what they were doing before the attack occurred. Furthermore, the episode may also include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or stomach distress.


People with epilepsy, other seizure disorders, and other neurological conditions can also have panic attacks. In some instances, panic attacks may be the result of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anyone can have a panic attack and there isn’t a typical way of having one.
You can have one while you’re sleeping or in a car, at work or at home. Likewise, it’s important to know that the condition is not life-threatening. For one thing, there are many effective treatments available to get it under control. If you suspect that someone else may be experiencing panic attacks, the first step is to get them to seek medical help as soon as possible.
People with epilepsy, other seizure disorders, and other neurological conditions can also have panic attacks. In some instances, panic attacks may be the result of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anyone can have a panic attack and there isn’t a typical way of having one.
You can have one while you’re sleeping or in a car, at work or at home. Likewise, it’s important to know that the condition is not life-threatening. For one thing, there are many effective treatments available to get it under control. If you suspect that someone else may be experiencing panic attacks, the first step is to get them to seek medical help as soon as possible.
Panic Attacks Symptoms
While there are different theories as to why people have panic attacks. Also, there’s not currently enough conclusive evidence to support any one explanation. There are no tests for panic attacks so we don’t know the cause of a panic attack. Moreover, there’s also some debate about whether clinical research should focus on what causes panic attacks or on ways to treat them.
- Symptoms of a panic attack include extreme anxiety and physical sensations of fear. For example, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, trembling and muscle tension.
- Triggers for panic attacks can include over breathing, long periods of stress, activities that lead to intense physical reactions. For example, exercise, excessive coffee drinking. Also, physical changes occurring after illness or a sudden change of environment.
- In other cases, symptoms that are common to panic attacks may also occur in some physical conditions. Some medications and drugs – such as tranquillizers, alcohol and caffeine – may also induce panic-like symptoms.
You may be suffering from Panic Disorder if you:
- Experience frequent, unexpected panic attacks that does not involce a specific situation
- Worry a lot about having another panic attack
- Are behaving differently because of the panic attacks, such as avoiding places where you’ve previously panicked


Panic attacks may lead to the following panic disorder symptoms:
- Anticipatory anxiety – This anxiety stems from a fear of having future panic attacks. Therefore, this “fear of fear” is present most of the time, and can be extremely disabling.
- Phobic avoidance – This avoidance may be based on the belief that the situation you’re avoiding caused a previous panic attack. Taken to its extreme, phobic avoidance becomes agoraphobia. Agoraphobia develops as a complication of panic attacks and panic disorder.
Causes of Panic Attack
Factors that may contribute to panic attack:
- Genetics or family history
- Major life stress. Such as the death or serious illness of a loved one
- Temperament that is prone to negative emotions. For example sexual assault or a serious accident.
- Certain changes in the way parts of your brain function.
- Excessive use of nicotine or caffeine.
- Drinking alcohol and panic attacks has very close relation.
- Drug use.
- Taking certain medicines. Such as those used to treat asthma and heart problems.
- History of childhood physical or sexual abuse.
10 Tips to Manage Panic Attack along with Panic Attack Treatment
- Use deep breathing
- Recognize that you’re having a panic attack
- Close your eyes
- Practice mindfulness
- Find a focus object
- Use muscle relaxation techniques
- Picture your happy place
- Engage in light exercise
- Keep lavender on hand
- Repeat a mantra internally
Panic Attack Treatment
The most effective form of professional treatment for panic attacks, panic disorder, and agoraphobia is therapy. To simplify, treatment can help most people control or even stop attacks. Your treatment will depend on your symptoms. . But symptoms can come back, especially if you stop treatment too soon. Treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder includes psychotherapy. Medicines may also help.
- Psychotherapy. A type of psychotherapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is useful. CBT focuses on thinking patterns and behaviors. For example, if you experience a panic attack while driving, what is the worst thing that would really happen? You might have to pull over to the side of the road, for you not to crash your car or have a heart attack. Once you learn that nothing truly disastrous is going to happen, the experience of panic becomes less terrifying.
- Medication are temporary solution to control some of the symptoms of panic disorder. However, it doesn’t treat or resolve the problem. It can be useful in severe cases. But it should not be the only treatment.


Medication is most effective when combined with other treatments. Such as therapy and lifestyle changes, that address the underlying causes of panic disorder.
Examples of Medications used:
Antidepressants. It may take several weeks before it takes effect. Therefore, it has to be taken continuously, and not just during a panic attack.
Benzodiazepines. Anti-anxiety drugs that act within 30 minutes to an hour. However, benzodiazepines are highly addictive and have serious withdrawal symptoms. So they should be used with caution.
A co-occurring panic attack disorder can occur when a secondary disorder or other mental illnesses contribute and become part of the entirety of mental illness requiring treatment. For this more complex Panic Attack Treatment an experienced team that can treat the multiple diagnoses can be invaluable in achieving recovery success.
Finding Panic Attack Treatment at We Level Up Florida Mental Health Center
If you or your loved one is suffering from constant and unexpected Panic Attacks, professional intensive Panic Attack Treatment can be life-changing. To learn more about advanced Panic Attack Treatment options and related integrated mental health therapy programs, contact us today at We Level Up FL Mental Health Center, we provide utmost care with doctors and medical staff available 24/7 for life-changing and lasting recovery. We provide an enhanced opportunity to return to a fulfilling and productive life.
Sources
[1] National Center for Biotechnology Information – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10574314/
[2] The American Journal of Medicine – https://www.amjmed.com/article/0002-9343(92)90136-Y/fulltext