Panic attacks may strike anyone, anytime. You could be suffering from panic attack without knowing it. There are several forms of panic attacks that people may experience them at some points in their life; if left untreated, this could lead to panic attack disorder which is a more serious mental condition that needs immediate medical attention.

Panic attack is a mental state of mind which generally occurs as a result of extreme pressure, stressful condition, or intense anxiety. It is usually manifested by the following symptoms:

• Shaking or trembling
• Dizziness
• Muscle cramps
• Intense sweating
• Chest discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Light headedness
• Hot flashes
• Nausea
• Increase heart rate
• Hyperventilation
• Numbness specially in arms, legs or feet
• Fear of dying
• Feeling of choking

These symptoms usually last for an average of 30 minutes; some people may experience them for just one minute, while others may last for about an hour depending on the severity of the condition. It is important to note these symptoms in order to make necessary treatment to neutralize its occurrence.

One concern regarding the aforementioned symptoms is that, they are more or less similar to the symptoms of having a heart disease, as well as other diseases of the intestines, lungs, and nervous systems. As a result, people often visit their physician complaining of heart problems and other conditions which usually ends up having negative lab or diagnostic results of their perceived problems. Hence, should you experience having any of the symptoms mentioned above, try to consider panic attack as one of the suspect.

There are many factors that can trigger panic attack; and each person has different underlying causes. The most common causes for panic attack are the following:

• Hereditary – people with family history of panic attack are prone to be afflicted with it.
• Anxiety Disorder – uncontrolled anxiety as a result of constant exposure to pressures, or stressful condition in life.
• Stress- like doing a presentation in front of a large audience, pressures at work, anxiousness prior to taking an exam or an interview
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – as a result of past traumatic events
• Phobias – fear of something
• Emotional distress --- loss of a loved one, broken relationship, and sudden change in environment or lifestyle; such as bankruptcy, transfer to different strange place.
• Alcohol, substance or drug abuse- also includes withdrawal from excessive use of drugs, alcohol, smoking and other substances.
• Use of medicines – such as an antibiotic like fluoroquinolone
• Biological condition: Lack of Vitamin B, Hyperthyroidism, Wilson’s disease, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, Hypoglycemia, and Pheochromocytoma.

Panic Attack Disorder

Panic attack disorder is a series of panic attack episodes; usually it is diagnosed to people experiencing two or more panic attacks. Panic attack disorder may also be concluded when four or more symptoms mentioned above are present.

Panic attack usually occurs as a result of physical and psychological imbalance due to anxiety, which is the common reason to trigger a panic attack. Under this situation, when a person perceives danger, this signals his brain to release adrenaline; thus, causing our body to react in a condition of ‘fight or flight’ mode and prepares our body for some extreme physical activities to protect itself from harm. Consequently, heart rate and breathing increases resulting to tachycardia and hyperventilation.

All these activities within our body are normal in response to danger; however, the problem arise when this psychological response is unmatched by actual physical activities wherein there is actually no strenuous physical activities happening. This imbalance results to lower carbon dioxide level in the lungs and blood triggering other symptoms to occur like numbness on the feet, arms or legs; and lightheadedness. In addition to that, the release of adrenaline triggers a transfer of blood from the brain towards the muscles to strengthen them; resulting to dizziness and shortness of breath. The psychological and physical imbalance may lead to cause one condition to another, like a domino effect, and the total result is a panic attack

Fortunately, panic attack can be completely cured if given immediate medical treatment. In fact, there is a reported 70% to 90% success rate in treating panic attack from people who seek medical advice. There are many treatment options for panic attacks; and they can be either or a combination of the following:

1. Psychotherapy – counseling, behavioral therapy, use of relaxation techniques

2. Change in life-style – exercise, reduce use of stimulants like coffee, adequate sleep, and regular meal schedule.

3. Use of medicine – such as anti-depressants like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) like Sertraline (Zoloft)

• The Linden Method- this is a well known drug-free method of treating mental problems which is highly supported by most psychologists and recommended by Government Health Services. This new technique has a high success rate of 96.7%; and have helped more than 115,000 people worldwide in overcoming anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

• Panic Away System- this is an innovative and very powerful natural method of overcoming general anxiety and panic attacks without the use of medication. Many people have completely eliminated panic attacks using this system and experienced immediate anxiety relief.

If you feel you are suffering from panic attack after noticing the presence of some symptoms mentioned above, always seek medical help immediately in order to be given proper treatment. Each treatment may differ from other person because there are different underlying causes, and this is the first task of your physician or psychiatrist: to determine what triggers your panic attack in order to formulate specific prescription for your condition. Most often, it may start as stress and anxiety; in such case, it would be very helpful to overcome stress and anxiety first in order to prevent occurence of panic attacks.

In today's world, stress and anxiety normally happens in the workplace specially due to pressure from work as well as lay-off anxiety. In any case, it is very helpful to do something to overcome anxiety in order to prevent panic attacks like learning to relax by constantly doing some relaxation exercises; have a paradigm shift towards a positive outlook in life, and be happy all the time.

Prevent Panic Attack and Live a Panic Attack and Anxiety-free Life: Be Happy

How to Overcome Lay-off Anxiety and Depression

The fear of losing a job can cause stress and anxiety; and being laid-off can actually cause depression among many people who lost their jobs. Lay-off anxiety occurs as a result of fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of the future, and fear for the survival of the family that makes this event a major crisis for them especially for breadwinners of the family

How to Overcome Different Types of Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal response to stress and pressures in life. It usually occurs prior to big and important events in life such as an examination, a presentation, a business meeting, a public speaking event or performance, and other incidences where a person is too anxious of. It may gradually disappear once the event is over; for some people however, such anxiety may still occur longer than normal and this has developed into an anxiety disorder.

How to Deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a serious mental condition wherein a person suffers flashback episodes of traumatic events that happened in the past. PTSD may affect anyone regardless of age. A person doesn’t have to be physically hurt in order to acquire PTSD; he could also witness other people being hurt, murdered or physically abused and develop PTSD as well

How to Overcome Depression

Everybody experiences feeling depressed at some points in one's life. This is a normal feeling due to some unwanted events or things that happen in your life. However, if such mental condition stays longer than usual that it inferferes your daily activities and quality of life; then you have developed depression which can become a chronic mental disorder that needs immediate medical attention.

How to Overcome Social Phobia

Social Phobia is a mental condition wherein a person consistently feels an intense fear of being judged by other people; or being embarrassed in front of them. Although such feelings are normal; however, as soon as they interfere with doing the normal functions and affects the quality of life, then it is diagnosed as social phobia. This mental condition should be given proper medical attention; if left untreated, it may develop into social anxiety disorder which is a severe mental health problem

How to Deal with Work-related Stress and Anxiety

Office works can be stressful sometimes no matter what type of job you are currently working on. Stress can be related to work deadlines and quality, sales quota and target, and relationships with colleagues, superiors and customers. Sometimes work stress can become so intense that it develops into anxiety, triggers a panic attack, and cause depression to occur.

This ebook is all about how to change the rules on the trick that anxiety plays on you. I hope this will help in some ways. Get it FREE here. No email address required.

The Anxiety Game