13 Ways to Identify Panic Attacks!
Reviewed By: Nicole Cauchois, LCPC, LADC
Written By: Daniel Mark Hipp
What are Panic Attacks?
A panic attack occurs when we experience strong fear or immediate discomfort. This can be due in response to an expected or unexpected situation. It is important to figure out which types of panic attack you are experiencing.
Expected Panic Attacks
Expected panic attacks take place as a reaction to situations where you feel as though you lack control over the result. This may be a panic attack you experience prior to giving a public presentation or taking an important examination. Both situations are known to induce large amounts of stress prior to the performance.
The expected panic attack here has to do with the belief that the result will be negative in spite of one’s own efforts. It is likely the case that they feel as though anything they do is in vain. The key here is that you are aware of what it is you are reacting to situationally that is causing the panic attack.
Unexpected Panic Attacks
Unexpected panic attacks take place with no clear awareness as to why it is occurring. This can often take place outside of one’s home, where you may fear anything that could happen. We will pay special attention to the unexpected panic attacks when we bring up Panic Disorder later in this article.
13 Symptoms of Panic Attacks
The 5th edition text revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders identifies 13 symptoms related to panic attacks. If you are experiencing four or more of these symptoms, you should contact The Healing Center or another mental health professional.
These symptoms were taken directly from the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-V-TR.
“1. Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
2. Sweating
3. Trembling or Shaking
4. Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
5. Feeling of choking
6. Chest pain or discomfort
7. Nausea or abdominal distress
8. Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
9. Chills or heat sensations
10. Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)
11. Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being attached from oneself)
12. Fear of losing control or going crazy
13. Fear of dying” (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
Fear as an emotion
What an intense list of symptoms.
When we experience fear, our autonomic nervous systems activate (Durand & Barlow, 2016). This activation of the fight-or-flight response is potentially a source for many of these symptoms.
When we are trying to get away from an intensely fearful situation, noradrenalin is released by your body in reaction to the fight-or-flight response activation. The systems related to noradrenalin's regulation and production in our bodies has gained large interest from the scientific community in seeking the answers to how and why we experience panic attacks on a neurological level.
What is Panic Disorder?
What if you are experiencing panic attacks more frequently than you would like? Left untreated, the panic attacks have become a regular part of your day. It is probably time to contact The Healing Center or another mental health professional.
The 5th text revision edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders identifies 3 key features which elevate an isolated panic attack to a panic disorder. These requirements were taken directly from the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5-TR.
“1. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks are present.
2. At least one of the attacks has been followed by 1 month or more of one or both of the following:
(a) Persistent concern or worry about additional panic attacks or their consequences or
(b) A significant maladaptive change in behavior related to the attacks.
3. The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition and is not better explained by another mental disorder” (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
Panic disorder can be debilitating. I emphasized unexpected panic attacks at the beginning of the article because they are central to panic disorder. This makes it difficult for them to be in environments outside of what is immediately within their control. This can often lead to difficulties just leaving one’s own home.
The Healing Center Has Treatment Options for Panic Attacks
Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder may be treated using a mixture of talk therapy and/or medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a common treatment option for anxiety related disorders such as these.
The Healing Center in Las Vegas provides tailored mental health services facilitated by a team proficient in addressing diverse cultural backgrounds. Certified therapists deliver in-person or remote sessions, aiming to reduce stigma and foster a mentally healthy community. Our Boutique Psychotherapy Center employs spiritually attuned counselors, employing various techniques to reconnect individuals with their inner selves and foster self-worth.
With holistic approaches, these therapists equip patients with strategies to navigate life's crises effectively.
For further information on our therapies or to schedule a consultation, please visit The Healing Center's website at https://www.thehealingcentervegas.com/.
Contact The Healing Center via phone (702)505-1280 or email TheHealingCenterOperations@gmail.com.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th. ed., text rev. ). Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787