Panic Attacks

Simply reading the definition of a panic attack and its associated symptoms, as given in the next paragraph, makes it clear why panic attacks are difficult to bear. They are are frightening due to their intensity and, sometimes, their unpredictability. Certainly they are never convenient, and most people who have experienced them dread them. Many avoid the circumstances where they have occurred, but sometimes these situations have to be endured anyway, for practical reasons or out of pure determination.

The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic Manual (2013) defines a panic attack as "an an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes." During these minutes several of the following physical symptoms can occur: pounding heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, choking, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, chills or hot flashes, and numbness or tingling. In addition, there may be psychological symptoms of feelings of unreality or detachment, fear of lose of control, and fear of dying.When people have recurring attacks and a mounting fear of them, they may have what is called a panic disorder. This disorder is often accompanied by agoraphobia, a fear of situations in which the panic attacks take place.

These attacks can arise from a calm or an anxious state. They can accompany a variety of conditions, both psychological and medical. The associated psychological conditions are often depression , anxiety , and stress . Psychological interventions can be very helpful. Pappas (2025) reported that 50 years of research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and some medications can ease the attacks and have long-lasting benefits to a person's general mental health.

Clinicians are learning more about how patients overcome their fears. Once it was thought that it was enough to treat with exposure and habituation, but more recently there is focus on replacing the learned fear with new information, even seeking the  panic attacks.This approach is thought to better show that intense anxiety is not a disaster. Instead of avoiding the symptoms, they are pursued and handled. Cosequently, it is shown that that panic attacks are not dangerous and can be tolerated. When people stop fearing the attacks, they are more likely to stop having them. 

 If you are struggling with panic attacks, I would be glad for you to Contact Me for help.

References

American Psychiatric Assosociation (2013). Diagnostic Manual DSM-5. 

Pappas, S. (2025). Recent progress in treating panic disorder. Monitor on Psychology, 56(8), 34-39.