Dear panic sufferer,
The causes and symptoms of panic attacks are tied together however its manifestations are very similar with those of other physiological illnesses and conditions.
Worldwide at least 5 to 10% of the healthy population experiences at least one panic attack during life time. But because of its similarities with other diseases as long as symptoms go many live with this disorder for months or even years without knowing what are they suffering from.
The question of causes and symptoms of panic attacks is addressed in this post as well as what are the efficient treatment methods today. Enjoy!
What are panic attacks? A short incursion behind the panic scene…
Panic attacks are triggered by irrational and/or catastrophic thoughts and interpretation of body’s internal sensations and changes, which are otherwise normal. I guess a schematic would make it more clear, so here we go!
internal sensations/physiologic reactions => thoughts and interpretations => emotions => build up physiological reactions and sensations => thoughts and interpretations ……..
This vicious cycle builds up to the maximum in about 10 minutes and lasts for usually half an hour. A panic attack “burns out” by itself due probably to the body’s habituation process or to understanding the internal reactions and sensations as having no harm consequences.
Studies and practice have shown a vulnerability to panic attacks in sufferers who tend to be anxious, who have a rigid and inadaptable way to think about what happens with them and around them.
These are the causes that determine certain symptoms so let’s talk a bit about them as well.
A panic episode usually triggers symptoms like very fast heart rate (the racing heart sensation), difficult breathing, choking sensation, nausea, vomit, dizziness, stomach pains, chest pains, headaches, drowning sensation, numbness, depersonalization and fear of death being the most usual ones.
What are panic attacks associated with?
Besides the psychological and physiological vulnerability, there are a number of substances and bad habits which can precipitate a panic attack, like alcohol and caffeine abuse or sudden withdraw, narcotics, sudden stop of anxiolytic medication.
What can be done about the causes and symptoms of panic attacks?
Today the majority of panic sufferers are treated only with drugs. This is a shallow and unrewarding approach because it addresses only the symptoms and it leaves the causes untouched. However medication is advisable when patient’s stabilization is needed or to ease distress.
The causes and symptoms of panic attacks are of psychological root therefore the best modality to address and treat panic attacks is through psychotherapy, cognitive and behavioral therapy, or CBT, being the most efficient and fast to treat completely panic disorder and panic attacks.
To wrap this up, panic attacks and panic disorder are not a physiological illness but rather a psychological disorder caused by certain so called irrational thoughts and evaluations we make about what we feel and what we experience inside our body.
Follow this link to find out more Causes And Symptoms of Panic Attacks or this link for the most efficient treatment programs available Get Rid Of Panic Attacks! Start Today!
