Panic Attacks

Who has experienced panic attacks?

Panic attacks are actually common! How many people have almost gotten into a car crash and felt your face getting hot, palms sweat, heart race, perhaps even a fear of driving or getting into a car afterwords? Adrenalin is released during a panic attack exactly like during a good work out!

During a panic attack, the "flight or fight response" isn't actually directed at something that is life threatening. In other words, if you were held at gun point, flight or fight is appropriate! Being held at gunpoint, chased after a lion, almost falling off a bridge are examples of times when fear triggers our "fight or fight response" so we can save ourselves! However, those experiencing panic attacks "out of the blue" experience panic without actual present danger: the fear is a fear of panic itself. A panic attack is like the fire alarm going off when there isn't an actual fire.

Panic attacks feels like an overwhelming sensation of fear (panic) coming over you: you begin to sweat, hands may feel tingly, shortness of breath, trembling, feeling dizzy, lightheaded or faint, choking sensation, feeling detached from surroundings, chest pain, and feeling numb.

This is taken from Anxiety and Depression Association of American Webpage:

"Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older (18% of U.S. population).
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only about one-third of those suffering receive treatment.
Anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion a year, almost one-third of the country's $148 billion total mental health bill, according to "The Economic Burden of Anxiety Disorders," a study commissioned by ADAA (The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 60(7), July 1999).
More than $22.84 billion of those costs are associated with the repeated use of health care services; people with anxiety disorders seek relief for symptoms that mimic physical illnesses.
People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events."



Good news is anxiety and panic attacks are VERY easy to treat with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy!!! If you or someone you love suffer from anxiety or panic attacks, please find a skilled CBT therapist!!! I have worked for years with individuals suffering from anxiety disorders and would be happy to answer any questions!