Panic attacks are characterized by a sudden onset of intense fear. Your heart starts beating fast, you become short of breath and you are dizzy. It feels like you are losing control.You may feel like you are dying. Panic attacks were once dismissed as nerves or stress, but they are now recognized as a serious and sometimes disabling condition.

Panic attacks begin abruptly and last about one half hour. Sometimes they can last several hours or even a day. They are physically and emotionally draining, leaving you totally exhausted . Usually, people who experience panic attacks have underlying depression, social phobia or other mental health conditions.

The signs and symptoms of a panic attack are:

Rapid heart rate

Sweating and trembling

Shortness of breath and hyperventilation.

Chills or hot flashes.

Nausea or abdominal cramping.

Chest pain.

Headache

Dizziness or faintness

Tightness in your throat and trouble swallowing.

A sense of impending death.

The cause of panic attacks are not exactly known. Hereditary factors may be a cause. If you have a family member that has panic attacks, your chance of having them increases. Stress and certain biochemical factors may also may cause panic attacks.

You may have panic disorder if you frequently have panic attacks and start to avoid situations that you think may be causing them. Worrying frequently about when the next panic attack will strike is a good indicator of panic disorder.

Since panic attacks can mimic symptoms of other problems such as heart attack, breathing difficulties or even low blood sugar, you should see your doctor to be diagnosed. Tell him all of your symptoms. He may run several tests to rule out anything physical that could be wrong with you.

Panic disorder can interrupt your whole life. A lot of times, people with panic disorder start avoiding things that causes panic attacks. They won’t go to the mall, they won’t go out alone or sometimes they won’t leave the house at all.
People with panic disorder have an increased risk of suicide, depression and alcohol or drug abuse.

Treatments for panic disorder are very effective. Your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant such as Zoloft, Paxil or Prozac. These drugs usually improve or eliminate the symptoms of panic attacks. He may also add an anti-anxiety medicine such as Klonopin or Xanax. These drugs should be used as needed when you feel a panic attack coming on. They can be habit forming. If you think that you are becoming addicted to Klonopin or Xanax, talk with your doctor. Do not stop them abruptly because you can develop withdrawal symptoms.

The doctor may order cognitive behavior therapy also. Your psychiatrist or psychologist will help you understand the causes behind your panic attacks.

He will also show you ways to cope with your panic disorder. Meditation and deep breathing exercises can help alleviate a panic attack. Behavior therapy can help you overcome avoidance of certain situations that cause panic attacks and get your life back to normal.

For more information about an informative ebook and self help package for anyone suffering Panic Disorder or Depression visit Defeating Depression