What is a Panic Attack?

What is a panic attack and how do you know when you are experiencing one?

Having a panic attack is one of the most frightening experiences in a person’s life. A panic attack is a sudden, measurable time period of acute anxiety and fearfulness. There is usually a general sense of feeling uncomfortable and stomach problems may be present.

The onslaught of these episodes is usually very abrupt with no noticeable triggers that brought it on. We could get into the physiological aspects and how adrenalin is being produced to deal with the fear response but for now lets keep it simple.

Different people experience panic attacks in different ways. First time sufferers usually think they are having a heart attack and dying therefore trips to the emergency room are not unusual. More experienced sufferers recognize the symptoms and usually they are able to ride out the episode.

Panic Attacks usually last from 15 to 30 minutes. Sometimes they come in waves and the entire time period may extend for several hours. Many times those afflicted will experience generalized anxiety with a sense of dread prior to the onset of a full fledge panic attack.

There is really no evidence to prove that anti-anxiety medication is anymore effective in treating panic or anxiety problems contrary to a lot of popular belief. On this website we will be focusing on drug free ways to treat panic and anxiety problems.