Panic attack can sneak up on a person like stealth, bring on an intense and overwhelming feeling of fear and then dissipate. Those who have experienced it for the first time are at a loss to explain what they just went through and will often times be left in a "muck lather" of sweat. It's a frightening experience simply because there is generally no warning it's about to happen.

Panic Attack Facts

Agoraphobia can be a complication of panic attacks and is described as a fear of public places. Basically, people with agoraphobia fear having a panic attack in areas which could cause them embarrassment. This can lead to social withdrawal of crowded areas.

Will You Develop Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder can be difficult to diagnose simply because an assessment of other pre existing disorders needs to be made. Before panic disorder can be successfully diagnosed, a doctor will need to rule out other conditions.

This is no reason to continue to ignore the symptoms because unless it is established and then treated, the condition can remain chronic and only get worse. A one time panic attack episode is no reason to be concern about developing chronic panic disorder. In fact, panic attack is common; most who suffer one will have just an isolated incidence of it but continued attacks should not be ignored.

Chronic conditions can severely restrict a person's lifestyle. Generally, a feeling of being in fear of the next attack will play on the mind which can then lead to withdrawing from certain lifestyle situations. For example, if an attack occurred in a certain place, the answer would be to avoid that place in the future.

Feelings of anticipated anxiety can pervade a person's thoughts. Without correct diagnosis and treatment other issues could follow such as depression and abuse of certain substances such as drugs and alcohol. The correct course of action is to get help rather than withdrawing from the things you once enjoyed.

Medication As A Treatment Option

There are two types of medication used to treat panic disorder. Your doctor will decide the best course of action with you. Trycyclic antidepressants or reuptake inhibitors and Benzodiazepines may be used either individually or in conjunction with one another.

Antidepressants are effective however, they are not an immediate relief factor while benzodiazepines are fast acting but are not a long term solution as they have addictive qualities and side effects.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) has been used effectively and is a course of treatment designed to help a person eliminate damaging thought patterns and better cope with their fears.