Once Upon A Time…A Panic Attack!

Photo: Oil painting. Digital art. By Dr Zeina Assaf Moukarzel

If, in a particular situation, you experience at least four of the following symptoms, you are having a Panic Attack:

• Palpitations, accelerated heart rate or feeling your heart beating across your chest
• Sweating
• Trembling, chilling
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling of choking
• Chest pain
• Nausea or abdominal pain
• Feeling dizzy, fainting
• Feeling of unreality
• Fear of losing control
• Fear of dying
• Body’s numbness
• Hot flashes

Left untreated, panic attacks could precipitate cardiac diseases

Typically, panic attack has a rapid onset and last less than 20 minutes and may vary in frequency and severity; it may lead to agoraphobia (fear of being in places in which escape is difficult).

The onset of Panic Disorder is usually between the ages 15-25

If panic attacks are frequent and severe, you could be suffering from a Panic Disorder. Panic Disorder is characterized by a triade:

• Panic attack (e.g Someone who panics in the elevator)
• Anticipatory anxiety (e.g He or she becomes anxious at the idea to have to take the elevator)
• Phobic avoidance (e.g Instead of using the elevator, he/she will take the stairs)

However, to diagnose a Panic Disorder, Panic attacks should not be due to drugs use, medications or general medical conditions and other mental illnesses.

You are at higher risk if you have first-degrees relatives suffering from panic disorder

If you are witnessing a Panic Attack, try to provide a calm and supportive environment.

Panic attacks (or panic disorder) should be treated. Talk about it with your counselor