Understanding Panic Attacks: Causes and Treatment
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. During a panic attack, individuals may experience a racing heart, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, trembling, and a sense of impending doom. Panic attacks typically peak within ten minutes and subside within twenty to thirty minutes.
What Causes Panic Attacks?
Panic attacks involve the activation of the body fight-or-flight response in the absence of actual threat. Contributing factors include genetic predisposition, chronic stress, significant life changes, and underlying anxiety disorders. A history of trauma or other mental health conditions can also increase vulnerability.
Panic Disorder
When panic attacks occur repeatedly and unexpectedly, and when a person begins to avoid situations out of fear of having another attack, the diagnosis of panic disorder may apply. Panic disorder affects approximately 2 to 3 percent of adults and is highly treatable.
Treatment Options
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most effective psychological treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder. Interoceptive exposure — a CBT technique that involves deliberately inducing mild physical sensations associated with panic — helps patients learn that these sensations are not dangerous. Medications including SSRIs and SNRIs are also effective and are often used in combination with therapy.
Recovery Is Possible
With appropriate treatment, the majority of people with panic disorder experience significant improvement. Learning to understand and tolerate the physical sensations of panic is a powerful first step toward recovery.
