Panic Attacks & Anxiety Disorders

Panic attacks relate to anxiety disorders as they fall into the collective categorization of anxiety disorders. Panic attacks belong to a categorically defined set of disorders that include the Social Anxiety disorder, the Acute Stress Disorder /Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the obsessive compulsive disorder and the Generalized Anxiety disorder.

All of these disorders are categorized as anxiety disorders for the prime reason that among other negative attitudinal and/or behavioral disorders, they have been known to specially induce anxiety in an individual. Panic attacks usually originate from exceptionally positive or negative compulsions/obsessions that tend to ‘mimic a number of physical conditions’.

Panic attacks constitute a dramatically heightened sense of individual insecurity concerning a particular situation or occurrence. It would, moreover, also be noteworthy to acknowledge that panic attacks are typically influenced by the specific disorder which can be cited as the originator. Take into consideration, for instance, the two differing types of panic attacks, specific and spontaneous panic attacks.

The first one relates to panic attacks that are brought on by a pre-existent condition, which is usually an anxiety disorder in a particular individual. The panic attack in this case can be attributed to the condition.

What causes Panic Attacks?

Occurring in specifically feared situations or places, specific or cued panic attacks include:

• Attacks brought on in social situations for people suffering from the Social Anxiety disorder
• Those brought on by revisiting the scene(s) reminiscent of a particularly traumatic event in the case of people subjected to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Exposure to a particularly disturbing situation as in case of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Regardless of the [pre-existent] disorder that is instrumental in a panic attack, these attacks are demoralizing and have a negative impact.

This is accentuated with the symptoms of panic attacks that include:

• Palpitations
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
• Feeling of choking
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Nausea or abdominal distress
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Fear of going insane

It is quite apparent that panic attacks result from a socio-medical issue that is not, under any circumstances, to be taken lightly. People suffering from anxiety disorders that yield the potential to trigger panic attacks typically tend to live in continuous state of uncertainty and self loathing due to the knowledge that their condition is one that does not fall into the regular run-of-the-mill disorders.

Controlling Panic Attacks

It is imperative that an effective strategy should be employed to control these panic attacks as a stream of panic attacks leave an individual mentally and physically weak and incapable of living a normal life.

People suffering from panic attacks specifically fear its approach rather than the set of events leading up to the attack. The fear of flying, accordingly, is not a phobia that is impounded in the fear that the plane will crash, but rather, within the individual fear that a panic attack will approach in the case of taking a plane flight. This can also destroy and disrupt an individual’s life and cause complications. Thus, controlling panic attacks is very important.

Treating Panic Attacks

The best way to deal with individuals suffering from panic attacks, regardless of the category of attacks, is to put them through behavioral therapy. While this is effectual in helping people to control their behavior in potentially risky situations, another good countermeasure to deal with panic attacks is to teach the respective subjects relaxation techniques such as breathing or any activity the patient enjoys and can take part in feeling normal and healthy.

These techniques are of utmost relevance in helping individuals fit into the mould of their everyday lives by adhering to the techniques that take away a major portion of their feelings of inadequacy and helplessness in the case of an attack.