Surely, on more than one occasion you have gone through a situation similar to that of a panic attack, either by very negative thoughts, by internalized fears or even when there is no real danger. The panic is not distinguished by age or sex. The emotion experienced in previous moments bring us thoughts of uncertainty and fears that lead us to lose control of the situation. It is in that precise moment when we begin to hyperventilate, the heart accelerates, our hands tremble and sweat without any control, and we become blocked.
To address this issue, our doctor Josecarlo Gutierrez, general practitioner, recommends that we know the meaning of panic and to know what situations lead us to that state. Panic attack is a type of anxiety disorder, in which the person has repetitive attacks of intense fear that something bad is going to happen and it is possible that they may think that they may suffer a heart attack. Unlike anxiety, the panic attack is momentary and can last from minutes to hours, while anxiety persists day after day.
What symptoms can it present?
There are several symptoms that may be present in a panic disorder and once detected, we must work on emotions and anxiety:
- Chest pain
- Afraid to die
- Imminent death
- Suffocation
- Fainting
- Sickness
- Palpitations
- Tremor
- Sweat or hot flashes
- Difficulty breathing
- Tingling in certain areas of the body
Generally, a panic disorder is accompanied by other disorders, such as anxiety, agoraphobia, depression and / or substance abuse problems. According to various studies, 30% or more of people with panic disorders also suffer from depression and must be under medical supervision.
What can I do to control it?
When it comes to panic attacks there are many things you can do to help yourself. The first thing is to not be scared of the situation, since this would make your state worse. Once you are conscious, drink water, breathe and if you are in a closed space, go out and get some fresh air. If you have been able to detect negative thoughts, do the exercise of traveling with your mind to a place where you know you can be happy. Call a relative or friend, distract your attention with another topic, listen to music and even perform relaxation exercises and learn to control your breathing.
Is there medication to cure me?
Medication can be used to temporarily control or reduce some of the symptoms of panic disorder. However, it does not cure or solve the problem. The best treatment that is proven and most effective is psychotherapy. Prescription medications used for panic attacks and panic disorder include:
- Antidepressants
- Benzodiazepines
Our doctor tells us that facing the situation requires time and patience to redefine attitudes to external fear and thus control it. Stress will lead to anxiety and it is better to control it with good guidelines. If you have seen yourself reflected in this article, consult our doctors to start controlling your mind as soon as possible.
*Content validated by the mediQuo medical team.
