Panic Attacks

A panic attack is a sudden feeling of intense fear that results in serious physical reactions even without any reason or impending danger. A panic attack is a very frightening experience. Globally, its prevalence is estimated between 1–4% of the world population. It is common among people of the late 20–30 age bracket. A panic attack occurs in women twice more than in men. Even though they are not deadly, their occurrence can be frightening and significantly ruin your quality of life. Symptoms Of A Panic Attack Typically, panic attacks strike suddenly. They can begin anytime and anywhere: at the store, when you're driving, during a business meeting, or even in the middle of a sound sleep. A panic attack can occur frequently or occasionally. They are often followed by fatigue after it subsides. They generally include some of the following symptoms:

The feeling of an unknown impending danger
Fear of death
Sweating
Short breath or tightened throat
Nausea
Pain in the chest
Headache
Sense of unreality
Shaking

Causes Of Panic Attack Doctors are out of the loop on what causes panic attacks, but the following factors play a major role:

Stress
Genetics
Temperaments that reacts to stress or negative emotions
Certain alteration to some parts of the brain function

Risk Factors Of Panic Attack Factors that trigger the development of panic attacks include:

A family history of the event
Shocking life events, such as serious illness or death of a loved one
A traumatic event like a ghastly motor accident
Major life changes like divorce or giving birth
Smoking
Unforgettable childhood physical assault

Prevention Of Panic Attack There's no clear-cut way to prevent a panic attack. However, the following steps may help:

Get immediate medical attention to prevent its frequent/worse occurrence.
Always adhere to your treatment rules
Physical exercises are also recommended as a protection against anxiety.

Going beyond in the holistic approach Louise Hay, Motivational leader and empowerment coach who has done pathbreaking work in supporting HIV/AIDS patients and their families, has said that, “Illness however mild or severe is an indicator of your emotional state, caused by your thoughts and focus.” According to her, the main cause of panic attack is: Not trusting the flow and the process of life. One of the ways of healing this is through saying or writing affirmations. Her affirmation for healing panic attack is: I love and approve of myself and I trust in the process of life. I am safe. Read less