Definition

A panic attack is a sudden, intense experience of fear coupled with an overwhelming feeling of danger, accompanied by physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a pounding heart, sweating, and rapid breathing. A person with panic disorder may have repeated panic attacks (at least several a month) and feel severe anxiety about having another attack.

Description

Each year, panic disorder affects one out of 63 Americans. While many people experience moments of anxiety, panic attacks are sudden and unprovoked, having little to do with real danger.

Panic disorder is a chronic, debilitating condition that can have a devastating impact on a person's family, work, and social life. Typically, the first attack strikes without warning. A person might be walking down the street, driving a car, or riding an escalator when suddenly panic strikes. Pounding heart, sweating palms, and an overwhelming feeling of impending doom are common features. While the attack may last only seconds or minutes, the experience can be profoundly disturbing. A person who has had one panic attack typically worries that another one may occur at any time.

As the fear of future panic attacks deepens, the person begins to avoid situations in which panic occurred in the past. In severe cases of panic disorder, the victim refuses to leave the house for fear of having a panic attack. This fear of being in exposed places is often called agoraphobia.

People with untreated panic disorder may have problems getting to work or staying on the job. As the person's world narrows, untreated panic disorder can lead to depression, substance abuse, and in rare instances, suicide.

Causes and symptoms

Scientists are not sure what causes panic disorder, but they suspect the tendency to develop the condition can be inherited. Some experts think that people with panic disorder may have a hypersensitive nervous system that unnecessarily responds to nonexistent threats. Research suggests that people with panic disorder may not be able to make proper use of their body's normal stress-reducing chemicals.

People with panic disorder usually have their first panic attack in their 20s. Four or more of the following symptoms during panic attacks would indicate panic disorder if no medical, drug-related, neurological, or other psychiatric disorder is found:

• pounding, skipping or palpitating heartbeat
• shortness of breath or the sensation of smothering
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• nausea or stomach problems
• chest pains or pressure
• choking sensation or a "lump in the throat"
• chills or hot flashes
• sweating
• fear of dying
• feelings of unreality or being detached
• tingling or numbness
• shaking and trembling
• fear of losing control or going crazy

A panic attack is often accompanied by the urge to escape, together with a feeling of certainty that death is imminent. Others are convinced they are about to have a heart attack, suffocate, lose control, or "go crazy." Once people experience a panic attack, they tend to worry so much about having another attack that they avoid the place or situation associated with the original episode.

Diagnosis

Once a medical condition is ruled out, a mental health professional is the best person to diagnose panic attack and panic disorder, taking into account not just the actual episodes, but how the patient feels about the attacks, and how they affect everyday life.

Most health insurance policies include some limited amount of mental health coverage, although few completely cover outpatient mental health care.

Treatment

Most patients with panic disorder respond best to a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy usually runs from 12-15 sessions. It teaches patients:

• how to identify and alter thought patterns so as not to misconstrue bodily sensations, events, or situations as catastrophic
• how to prepare for the situations and physical symptoms that trigger a panic attack
• how to identify and change unrealistic self-talk (such as "I'm going to die!") that can worsen a panic attack.
• how to calm down and learn breathing exercises to counteract the physical symptoms of panic
• how to gradually confront the frightening situation step by step until it becomes less terrifying
• how to "desensitize" themselves to their own physical sensations, such as rapid heart rate

At the same time, many people find that medications can help reduce or prevent panic attacks by changing the way certain chemicals interact in the brain. People with panic disorder usually notice whether or not the drug is effective within two months, but most people take medication for at least six months to a year.

Several kinds of drugs can reduce or prevent panic attacks, including:

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antipressants like paroxetine (Paxil) or fluoxetine (Prozac), are approved specifically for the treatment of panic
• tricyclic antidepressants such as clomipramine (Anafranil)
• benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin)

Finally, patients can make certain lifestyle changes to help keep panic at bay, such as eliminating caffeine and alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, and marijuana.

Alternative treatment

One approach used in several medical centers focuses on teaching patients how to accept their fear instead of dreading it. In this method, the therapist repeatedly stimulates a person's body sensations (such as a pounding heartbeat) that can trigger fear. Eventually, the patient gets used to these sensations and learns not to be afraid of them. Patients who respond report almost complete absence of panic attacks.

A variety of other alternative therapies may be helpful in treating panic attacks. Neurolinguistic programming and hypnotherapy can be beneficial, since these techniques can help bring an awareness of the root cause of the attacks to the conscious mind. Herbal remedies, including lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), oat straw (Avena sativa) , passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), and skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), may help significantly by strengthening the nervous system. Homeopathic medicine, nutritional supplementation (especially with B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidant vitamins), creative visualization, guided imagery, and relaxation techniques may help some people experiencing panic attacks. Hydrotherapies, especially hot epsom salt baths or baths with essential oil of lavender (Lavandula officinalis), can help patients relax.

Prognosis

While there may be occasional periods of improvement, the episodes of panic rarely disappear on their own. Fortunately, panic disorder responds very well to treatment; panic attacks decrease in up to 90% of people after 6-8 weeks of a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication.

Unfortunately, many people with panic disorder never get the help they need. If untreated, panic disorder can last for years and may become so severe that a normal life is impossible. Many people who struggle with untreated panic disorder and try to hide their symptoms end up losing their friends, family, and jobs.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent the initial onset of panic attacks. Antidepressant drugs or benzodiazepines can prevent future panic attacks, especially when combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy. There is some suggestion that avoiding stimulants (including caffeine, alcohol, or over-the-counter cold medicines) may help prevent attacks as well.

Resources:

Books:

• Bassett, Lucinda. From Panic to Power: Proven Techniques to Calm Your Anxieties, Conquer Your Fears and Put You In Control of Your Life. New York: HarperCollins, 1995.
• Bemis, Judith, and Amr Barrada. Embracing the Fear: Learning to Manage Anxiety and Panic Attacks. Center City, MN: Hazelden, 1994.
• Greist, J., and James Jefferson. Anxiety and Its Treatment. New York: Warner Books, 1986.
• Peurifoy, Reneau Z. Anxiety, Phobias and Panic: A Step by Step Program for Regaining Control of Your Life. New York: Warner Books, 1996.
• Sheehan, Elaine. Anxiety, Phobias and Panic Attacks: Your Questions Answered. New York: Element, 1996.
• Wilson, Robert R. Don't Panic: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks. New York: HarperCollins, 1996.
• Zuercher-White, Elke. An End to Panic: Breakthrough Techniques for Overcoming Panic Disorder. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, 1995.

Periodicals:

• "Cognitive Therapy and Panic Attacks." Harvard Mental Health Letter (Nov. 1994).
• Grewal, Harinder. "Panic Attack!" Total Health, Oct. 1992, 57-58.
• Katerndahl, David A. "Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder." Journal of Family Practice 43 (Sept. 1996): 275- 283.
• Kram, Mark, and Melissa Meyers Gotthardt. "Night of the Living Dread." Men's Health, Apr. 1997, 68-70.
• Wiltz, Teresa. "Is It Stress?" Essence, Apr. 1992, 24-25.

Organizations:

• American Psychiatric Association. 1400 K Street NW, Washington DC 20005. (888) 357-7924. http://www.psych.org
• Anxiety Disorders Association of America. 11900 Park Lawn Drive, Ste. 100, Rockville, MD 20852. (800) 545-7367. http://www.adaa.org
• Freedom From Fear. 308 Seaview Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305. (718) 351-1717.
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Colonial Place Three, 2107 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 300, Arlington, VA 22201-3042. (800) 950-6264. http://www.nami.org
• National Anxiety Foundation. 3135 Custer Dr., Lexington, KY 40517. (606) 272-7166. http://www.lexington-on-line.com/naf.html
• National Institute of Mental Health, Panic Campaign. Rm
• 15C-05, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. (800) 647-2642. http://www.nimh.nih.gov
• National Mental Health Association. 1021 Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314. (703) 684-7722. http://www.nmha.org

Other:

• The Anxiety and Panic Internet Resource. http://www.algy.com/anxiety
• Anxiety Network Page. http://www.anxietynetwork.com
• "Panic Disorder." Internet Mental Health Page. http://www.mentalhealth.com
• National Institute of Mental Health Page. http://www.nimh.nih.gov

Reviewed: 01/2006