Most panic attacks last between 5 and 20 minutes. Some have been reported to last up to an hour. The number of attacks you have will depend on how severe your condition is. Some people have attacks once or twice a month, while others have them several times a week. Although panic attacks are frightening, they're not dangerous. An attack will not cause you any physical harm, and it's unlikely you'll be admitted to hospital if you have one.
Be aware that most of these symptoms can also be symptoms of other conditions or problems, so you may not always be experiencing a panic attack. For example, you may have a racing heartbeat if you have very low blood pressure. They'll ask you to describe your symptoms, how often you get them, and how long you have had them.
They may also carry out a physical examination to rule out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms. It can sometimes be difficult to talk about your feelings, emotions and personal life, but try not to feel anxious or embarrassed. You may be diagnosed with panic disorder if you have regular and unexpected panic attacks followed by at least a month of continuous worry or concern about having further attacks.
Treatment aims to reduce the number of panic attacks you have and ease your symptoms. Talking therapies and medicine are the main treatments for panic disorder.
Your treatment will depend on your symptoms. You can refer yourself directly to a psychological therapies service for treatment based on cognitive behavioural therapy CBT. Your therapist may discuss with you how you react when you have a panic attack and what you think about. They can teach you ways of changing your behaviour to help you keep calm during an attack. Antidepressants can take 2 to 4 weeks before they start to work, and up to 8 weeks to work fully.
Keep taking your medicines, even if you feel they're not working, and only stop taking them if your GP advises you to do so. If your symptoms do not improve after CBT, medicine and connecting with a support group, your GP may refer you to a mental health specialist such as a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
The specialist will carry out an assessment and devise a treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms. Animated video explaining self-referral to psychological therapies services for stress, anxiety or depression.
Panic disorder. Kunas, S. The modulating impact of cigarette smoking on brain structure in panic disorder: A voxel-based morphometry study. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 15 8 , — Otte, C. Cognitive behavioral therapy in anxiety disorders: Current state of the evidence. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 13 4 , — Tolin, D. Is cognitive—behavioral therapy more effective than other therapies? Clinical Psychology Review, 30 6 , — Roberge, P. Behavior Modification, 32 3 , — Ougrin, D.
Efficacy of exposure versus cognitive therapy in anxiety disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 11 1 , Reinecke, A. Early effects of exposure-based cognitive behaviour therapy on the neural correlates of anxiety. Translational Psychiatry, 8 1 , 1—9. Craske, M. Lancet London, England , , — Aylett, E.
Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice — a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Kandola, A. Current Psychiatry Reports, 20 8 , Anxiety Disorders. American Psychiatric Association. National Institute of Mental Health. American Psychological Association. Panic — Self-help series of workbooks. Centre for Clinical Interventions. Panic attacks: what they are and what to do about them — Free course to help you manage panic. Open University. NAMI Helpline — Trained volunteers can provide information, referrals, and support for those suffering from anxiety disorders in the U.
Call National Alliance on Mental Illness. Find a Therapist — Search for anxiety disorder treatment providers in the U. Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Support Groups — List of support groups in the U. Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Call: Anxiety UK. Anxiety Canada — Provides links to services in different Canadian provinces. Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada. Call: 18 SANE Australia. Helpline India — Provides information and support to those with mental health concerns in India.
Call: or Vandrevala Foundation. This holiday season alone, millions of people will turn to HelpGuide for free mental health guidance and support. So many people rely on us in their most difficult moments.
Can we rely on you? Panic attacks may come on suddenly and without warning at first, but over time, they're usually triggered by certain situations. Some research suggests that your body's natural fight-or-flight response to danger is involved in panic attacks.
For example, if a grizzly bear came after you, your body would react instinctively. Your heart rate and breathing would speed up as your body prepared for a life-threatening situation. Many of the same reactions occur in a panic attack. But it's unknown why a panic attack occurs when there's no obvious danger present. Symptoms of panic disorder often start in the late teens or early adulthood and affect more women than men. Left untreated, panic attacks and panic disorder can affect almost every area of your life.
You may be so afraid of having more panic attacks that you live in a constant state of fear, ruining your quality of life. For some people, panic disorder may include agoraphobia — avoiding places or situations that cause you anxiety because you fear being unable to escape or get help if you have a panic attack. Or you may become reliant on others to be with you in order to leave your home. There's no sure way to prevent panic attacks or panic disorder. However, these recommendations may help.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Nocturnal panic attacks: What causes them?
Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Panic disorder. Arlington, Va. Accessed April 12,
0コメント