Panic attacks are brief episodes of extreme fear. They may be mistaken for heart attacks or strokes, but are actually psychological rather than physical. Panic attacks can occur suddenly and usually peak within ten minutes. Most panic attacks end within 20 to 30 minutes.
Some symptoms include:
- Chills
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Chest pain
- Palpitations
- Shaking
- Feelings of suffocation
Sometimes panic attacks are isolated incidents, but if a person has had at least two panic attacks and lives in fear of having another, they may have panic disorder. A panic attack can happen without an obvious cause, but people with panic disorder may develop phobias and avoidance related to things or situations they associate with panic attacks, including open spaces, large crowds, or driving.
Panic disorder is classified as an anxiety disorder, and like other forms of anxiety, it is commonly treated with a cognitive behavioral therapy in which we will increase understanding of your thoughts and feelings, then implement behavioral changes and coping skills in treatment including engaging in mindful breathing exercises, grounding exercises, regularly moving your body, and incremental, more manageable exposures to sources of distress.