Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is when all of a sudden you get very scared and anxious. You might also have chest pain and choking and feel sick to your stomach, dizzy, and short of breath. A panic attack goes away in 10 or 15 minutes.
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Panic attacks may be triggered by something scary, like seeing a snake, or they may just come on their own
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During a panic attack, you may think you're having a serious medical problem, like a heart attack or stroke
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Although panic attacks are uncomfortable and scary, they aren’t dangerous
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Panic attacks are common—each year, about 1 in 10 adults have a panic attack
What is panic disorder?
What causes panic attacks?
Panic attacks can be triggered by something you're scared of. For example, if you're afraid of snakes, you might have a panic attack when you see a snake. But panic attacks sometimes happen for no apparent reason. Also, doctors aren't sure why some people get panic attacks when something scary happens and some people don't.
What are the symptoms of a panic attack?
Although panic attacks are uncomfortable and scary, they aren’t dangerous. Symptoms start quickly and are gone within 10 or 15 minutes.
The main symptoms are:
People also have at least 4 of these other symptoms:
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Chest pain or discomfort
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Feeling like you’re choking
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Dizziness or faintness
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Feeling sick to your stomach, stomachache, or diarrhea
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Numbness or tingling in lips and fingers
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Feeling your heart pounding or beating fast
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Feeling short of breath or like you’re being smothered
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Sweating
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Trembling or shaking
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Fear that you're dying
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Fear that you're going crazy or losing control
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Feeling like things around you aren’t real
How can doctors tell if I have panic attacks?
How do doctors treat panic attacks or panic disorder?
Some people get better without treatment. For others, panic attacks come and go over years. Treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder may include:
Exposure therapy helps lessen the fear by:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches:
Supportive psychotherapy includes education and counseling to give you:
