At some point in our lives, most people experience stress, fear, anxiety or all of these. Although those are normal reactions in the face of life threatening situations, some people experience them more frequently than others do. Most people will experience terror in the event of an assault, violent situation, motor vehicle collision or another similar situation, but others experience it when dealing with their normal day-to-day activities. This condition is known as panic disorder and manifests in panic attacks. These episodes are not life threatening, though they may be experienced as such by the sufferer.
Being able to experience anxiety is only natural. It is an instinctive response to threats, which prepare the body and mind for defending ourselves in a dangerous situation. Sometimes when there is no immediate threat, the body overreacts and panic attacks are experienced. Two to three percent of all people in the Western World are affected by this condition.
In many cases, treatment is not required. Adults and children alike experience it and it may interfere with their social life and daily activities. These episodes are frightening and it is important that you are supportive if someone close to you is experiencing an episode.
These episodes usually happen without warning or reason. Palpitations are one of the first signs that most sufferers experience. This is when the heart beats irregularly and fast. It may feel as though the heart has stopped or has missed a few beats. Numbness in the extremities, shaking and tremors are next to follow.
Increased anxiety occurs when dizziness and sweating begin to manifest. This normally happens when strangers surround the sufferer. Severe cases could cause the onset of bladder incontinence. Incontinence is the loss of bladder control and it may extend to the bowels.
It is common for one to feel as though they may die during a panic attack. Things may seem unreal and the sufferer may even doubt that he or she is real. The need to escape may be overwhelming and if is common to feel aggressive towards anyone who stands in their way or escape. The fear may seem irrational to others, but it is very real to the sufferer. Allow them to escape from the situation if it is at all possible or safe for them to do so. It is important to distract them.
It has been reported that certain people that experience this will not want to go to school nor will they want to be around people. They may develop agoraphobia due to being scared of going back to places where symptoms were previously experienced, or places where it may recur. Agoraphobia is fear of open spaces such as airports and shopping malls. This is because there is nowhere to hide should there be an onset of an attack.
Mental health professionals should be contacted if the person also suffers from behavioral problems or psychological problems. These problems could be underachievement, depression, self-harm or sleep disturbances. There are medications that can help and behavioral therapies can help without harmful side effects. Medications can contraindicate other conditions so only take medications if it was prescribed by a health care professional.
Discover the best techniques about panic attacks by going online for assistance. There you will find many articles that will give you methods to use. Head online to learn more now.