Panic Attack Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment 

A panic attack is a sense of panic and intense fear that comes over you, and it causes a wide range of symptoms. This can happen suddenly and can be scary at the same time, even for no specific reason. However, it is distressing, but there is no danger in a panic attack on an immediate basis. This condition lasts for 5 to 20 minutes before you get back to normal state.

People go through panic attack quite often, and this is normal. You might fear that you have lost something or you have forgotten something but this normal. It is considered as the natural response of the body to a disturbing situation.

Moreover, if this feeling is getting intensive, occurs repeatedly or accompanied by physical or psychological symptoms- this is symptom or indication for the problem of panic disorder.

The panic attack or fear of a situation can make you go through other problems as well, but its intensity depends from person to person- this can happen a couple of times a week or year.

You can face this condition in your teens, but it can also affect at any stage of life.

Psychological symptoms

Feeling nervous, worried, uneasy or apprehensive

• Bad Mood

• Feeling upset or tearful

• Trouble while concentrating

• A sense of danger, death, and panic

• Tiredness

• Being alert than normal

Physical symptoms

During and before anxiety, you will notice:

• No appetite

• Insomnia

• Low sex drive

• Headaches

• Sweating

• Dizziness

• Dry mouth

• Digestion problem

• Chest pain

• Nausea

It is suggested by the doctors that while panic attacks an individual must focus on the breathing technique as much as possible because this helps to calm down.

Our doctors can guide you through these techniques and can build a strategy that will help in coping. You can use such techniques at any time when you feel panic attack or May about to happen.

It is not needed to go to the hospital after having a panic attack, but it's a good idea to see a doctor so that diagnosis will become easy.

The exact reasons for panic attacks are yet to be found, but it is clear that this happens because of physical or psychological stress.

This condition can occur in the place of isolation or can happen due to other issues, such as a traumatic life event, phobias, an anxiety disorder that already exists.

The panic attack is more likely to happen if your parents or sibling have this issue of the disorder. A chemical imbalance in the brain can also be another cause for a panic attack. The fear of this condition can contribute more to these worries, which can lead to other problems such as fear of going to public areas, due to such condition other attacks can also occur.

Health conditions that Cause Panic

Your underlying health conditions which are supposed to be treated could be reasons for the panic attack. Furthermore, in a few cases, this can be the first indication for an undiagnosed disease.

It is normal to suffer from anxiety and depression accompanied by other mental health issues. If our doctors identify that this is the case, they will recommend the right treatment or can refer a specialist only if they think that you need specific assistance.

Medical conditions that cause anxiety are:

• Diabetes

• Chronic pain

• Heart disease

• Respiratory disorders, like COPD 

• Thyroid problems

• In sporadic cases, tumours

• Drug/alcohol  abuse or withdrawal

Some medicines can also cause anxiety if you think that this is a case speak to your doctor.

When you visit a general physician, they will ask about the symptoms and what situations trigger a panic attack. The doctors will also ask about general and mental health, and from how long you have been experiencing a panic attack or its symptoms. The doctors can recommend further tests, to figure out other conditions such as a problem with the heartbeat. They may also refer psychologist or any other expert of mental health, who can do a further investigation regarding your condition and can provide assistance to manage that.

Treatment for panic attacks can include medication, talking therapies or a combination of both.

Talking therapies

Simply talking about the panic issue with a doctor can help you a lot. Once you figure out the cause of the panic attack, you can have control over it.

There are also sessions for self-help groups only if you want to join; our doctors can refer you, specialist, you need for help.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

After the session with the doctor, if the doctor thinks that CBT can help in the diagnosis of the cause, they will recommend you a treatment of CBT.

CBT is designed to facilitate you in dealing with your symptoms after their occurrence. They will train your mind in such a manner that will assist you to keep symptoms under control.

Counselling is another therapy that doctors can recommend. Moreover, it depends on the personal situation what treatment you want and what is comfortable for you.

Our online doctors can prescribe medications that are designed to reduce anxiety. These medicines can be beta blockers, antidepressants or anything else. The doctors will use the information provided by you to prescribe the right dose and tablet.

You cause for panic disorder can alter the decision of doctors. For instance, if your anxiety or panic disorder is because of chemical imbalances in the brain, they will prescribe medication to correct such a situation.

If you are unable to manage your panic attacks, it is really important for you to get a consultation from a doctor. Our doctors will listen to your problem or situation and will offer you a treatment plan, to make you feel better.