Panic Attacks

Although panic attacks (often also called anxiety attacks) can produce some very disturbing symptoms, they are completely harmless. Overcoming anxiety and panic attacks can be very fast indeed. Let me explain how.

Panic attacks are the most extreme manifestation of panic disorder, an anxiety response resulting from an over-production and under-use of adrenalin, the bodily chemicals that cause them. When the anxiety reaction has no use for adrenalin, this powerful hormone can create a group of physical reactions which can peak with the formation of a panic attack. This response is natural and physical - it has nothing to do with mental or physical illness or chemical imbalances, but it can feel very threatening indeed.

A panic attack usually builds subconsciously as a response to a perceived danger, but spontaneous panic attacks can occur indiscriminately without the need for any external catalyst to be present.

Because behaviour has been altered to 'accommodate' the anxiety in your life, the subconscious mind is holding onto this inappropriate anxious response and it is this which causes panic attacks to appear without warning.

Whilst disturbing, panic attack symptoms are usually controlled by the sufferer using avoidance behaviours. Although not ideal, the panic attacks sufferer can, at least, live a fairly normal life most of the time. Avoidance behaviours can severely curtail a sufferer's enjoyment of life, but also cause the panic attacks sufferer to 'support' their panic disorder.

This kind of avoidance behaviour often causes the sufferer to develop Agoraphobia, a phobic condition which limits the sufferer's geographic movements and enjoyment for life. Panic attacks sufferers have what is called an 'anxiety disorder'; anxiety disorders range from mild shyness and GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder), to extreme panic disorder which might include depersonalisation and derealisation, and a raft of physical sensations.

How do panic attacks form?

Panic attacks form when the Amygdala, a small organ in the brain which forms part of the subconscious mind and plays an important part of the activation of the anxiety response, becomes re-set at a higher than appropriate level of anxiety, tipping the sufferer into panic attacks mode in a split second; often without any external stimulation or catalyst.

Once started, however, the panic attack response can spiral out of control, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of high anxiety and panic attacks which can be very difficult to break. The panic attacks sufferer feels threatened by the initial anxiety, this cause the anxiety to rise, this causes a panic attacks, this causes symptoms, the sufferer fears the symptoms, this causes more fear which causes more symptoms and an endless cycle of fear and anxiety ensues... a 'fear of fear' cycle which is very hard to break.

In each and every case, the cause remains the same - the inappropriate response of the Amygdala. Because the Amygdala believes that its response is appropriate, the brain continues to react in this way even though the sufferer knows consciously that it shouldn't be that way. Fear breeds fear and the cycle continues.

Panic attack symptoms are usually a more intense version of the symptoms experienced during generalised anxiety. These include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pains
• Stomach cramps or diarrhoea
• Racing heart
• Dizziness or faintness
• Tingling in the extremities
• Muscle pains
• Sweating
• and many others...

In fact, the list of symptoms experienced by panic attack sufferers can be very long indeed. The symptoms listed above form the core or most commonly described panic attack symptoms a sufferer may experience. It is important to bear in mind that every one of us is physically and psychologically different so these symptoms aren't going to be the same for every panic attacks sufferer.

After the peak of the panic attack has subsided, the sufferer can be left feeling weak, tired, confused, emotional and achy from their symptoms. It is not uncommon to feel fluey and shaky, this is all normal and will pass.

It is very important to understand that panic attack symptoms give the body a workout, like running or going to the gym. The aches and pains are inevitable side-effects! Actually, your heart is being strengthened by panic attack symptoms; the heart is a muscle and like any other muscle in your body and the exercise is good for it!