Panic Attacks: More Harmful Than You Think

Everyone has gone through panic at some point in their lives, but some people experience that enveloping sense of fear almost everyday through panic attacks. Immense panic is most commonly associated with agoraphobia, which is a wide spread disorder.

Those with agoraphobia are extremely nervous about going into environments where they have little to no control. Some common characters if a places where they feel they have no control could be places where it could be difficult to get assistance, closed spaces, and even open spaces. But those are just the most common and simple characters of a space that could make someone with agoraphobia have a panic attack.

But panic is not always associated with attacks or disorders. Anyone can feel a sense of panic, even over small things. Someone experiencing any form of panic can feel a loss of breath, sweaty palms, hot flashes, heart palpitations, dizziness, sweating, nausea, and even shaking. Not all of these symptoms appear at once, and some people never feel them at all -- but they are all signs of panic.

Panic can be caused by phobias, hereditary panic disorders, anxiety disorders, being unsure, certain medications, withdrawals from an addictive substance, and even some cardiac conditions. The list can go on and on, and some of the things are more mental than physical. But no matter who feels panicked, it always feels awful.

Frequent panic attacks can be treated with antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. But if someone has frequent, recurring panic attacks seeking psychiatric help beyond medications may be a good idea.

Having frequent bouts can lead to serious medical problems.

It's been found out recently that menopausal women are more likely to suffer a stroke or a heart attack if they frequently experience extreme bouts of panic.

When someone is put into a situation that makes them extremely anxious, their body gives way to the fight or flight response. Those who are not prone to anxiety problems are more likely to pick fight, while those who do exhibit symptoms of a panic of anxiety disorder will unwillingly decide on flight. The problem is, this flight response can completely lock a person up mentally and be entirely detrimental to every aspect of daily life.

If you are suffering from frequent panic attacks, see a doctor to get advice on how to reduce that crushing feeling and to get some medication to help you. Millions of people around the world have a panic disorder, and it is nothing to be ashamed of.