Panic attacks are a symptom of an anxiety disorder.
In the U.
S.
approximately 2% of adult Americans will have a panic attack at some time in their lives.
With an unknown number of children suffering attacks also, we can recognize a large and growing serious health problem affecting over 3 million people.
Anxiety is a state of apprehension resulting from the anticipation of a real or imagined threat.
It is one of the most common human emotions experienced by people and perfectly normal.
Panic attacks are anxiety to an extreme level where losing complete control seems very real.
Those that have never suffered a panic attack are unlikely to realize the horror of the experience.
Attacks can occur suddenly and unexpectedly and be totally disabling.
Once someone has experienced a panic attack they may develop irrational fears associated with the activity that they were engaged in at the time of the first attack.
Eventually, the pattern of avoidance of that activity and level of anxiety about another attack may reach the point where the mere idea of doing things that preceded the first panic attack triggers future panic attacks.
Attacks in children will likely result in a decline in the child's school performance, an avoidance of school altogether and avoidance of other separations from parents or the safety of home, as well as substance abuse, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Like other illnesses, anxiety and panic attacks leading to panic disorders can have a serious impact on a person's daily life unless an effective treatment is sought.
They are very frightening and very real.
Is there a panic cure? Yes there is but a sufferer will need to be ready to take some action themselves.
Medication can remove the awful symptoms but they are known to be addictive and therefore, in my mind, not a long term solution for all.
To be free from attacks a sufferer must be ready to take many small steps in diet change, exercise routine, and most importantly in the manner that they deal with stressful situations.
In the U.
S.
approximately 2% of adult Americans will have a panic attack at some time in their lives.
With an unknown number of children suffering attacks also, we can recognize a large and growing serious health problem affecting over 3 million people.
Anxiety is a state of apprehension resulting from the anticipation of a real or imagined threat.
It is one of the most common human emotions experienced by people and perfectly normal.
Panic attacks are anxiety to an extreme level where losing complete control seems very real.
Those that have never suffered a panic attack are unlikely to realize the horror of the experience.
Attacks can occur suddenly and unexpectedly and be totally disabling.
Once someone has experienced a panic attack they may develop irrational fears associated with the activity that they were engaged in at the time of the first attack.
Eventually, the pattern of avoidance of that activity and level of anxiety about another attack may reach the point where the mere idea of doing things that preceded the first panic attack triggers future panic attacks.
Attacks in children will likely result in a decline in the child's school performance, an avoidance of school altogether and avoidance of other separations from parents or the safety of home, as well as substance abuse, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Like other illnesses, anxiety and panic attacks leading to panic disorders can have a serious impact on a person's daily life unless an effective treatment is sought.
They are very frightening and very real.
Is there a panic cure? Yes there is but a sufferer will need to be ready to take some action themselves.
Medication can remove the awful symptoms but they are known to be addictive and therefore, in my mind, not a long term solution for all.
To be free from attacks a sufferer must be ready to take many small steps in diet change, exercise routine, and most importantly in the manner that they deal with stressful situations.
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