What is a Panic attack?

Spontaneous panic attacks occur out of the blue, without any obvious environmental or situational triggers.

During a panic attack, you might get the feeling that you are about to:

• faint
• go crazy
• run amok
• or even feel as if you are about to die

You may get physical symptoms such as:

• breathing problems
• pain in the chest,
• cold sweats
• shaking hands
• dizziness

Often these symptoms are so severe that the person rushes to hospital to seek a medical opinion, but no physical illness is found.

Typically panic attacks reach their peak within 10 minutes and then subside with the full episode lasting around 30 to 45 minutes. When you have recovered, you feel exhausted and possibly depressed but no longer anxious.

When you have experienced several attacks, you might become more and more nervous about getting another one.

Around two-thirds of patients with panic disorder develop agoraphobia, defined as fear in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or in which help might not be available, in the event of a panic attack.

Panic attacks can be treated effectively with medicine and psychotherapy.