| The term "panic attack" has become very generic and | | | | hyperventilation or very heavy breathing, and an |
| is used to describe any number of unpleasant or | | | | almost uncontrollable urge to "get away" from where |
| startling episodes that take us by surprise. But a true | | | | the attack took place. |
| panic attack is an period of very intense fear or | | | | These occurrences are very different from other |
| apprehension that happens very suddenly and lasts | | | | types of anxiety because they are so very intense |
| about a half an hour although some can be much | | | | and because they happen so very quickly. And, |
| shorter, less than a minute, or much longer, with some | | | | although they are sometimes experienced along with |
| lasting for several hours. | | | | other anxiety disorders, panic attacks do not always |
| How an attack affects someone is very different | | | | indicate a mental disorder. |
| from person to person. Many individuals who | | | | Panic attacks can be treated in a number of ways: |
| experience a true attack for the first time immediately | | | | - Psychological Therapies such as Cognitive behavioral |
| call for emergency services believing they are | | | | therapy |
| experiencing a heart attack. It has been said that | | | | - Medications such as anti-depressant and anti-anxiety |
| experiencing a true, full blown, panic attack is one of | | | | drugs |
| the most frightening and uncomfortable experiences | | | | - Paper bag rebreathing. Many sufferers and some |
| one can have. | | | | doctors recommend breathing into a paper bag as a |
| People who have had true attacks say they feared | | | | short term treatment. |
| dying, losing their minds, or were having a heart attack | | | | - Self help techniques |
| because of a numbing sensation throughout the body. | | | | Before venturing into psycho therapy, counseling, or |
| Others have described flashing or tunnel vision, | | | | drug therapy consider self-help first. |