What Is A Panic Attack | What Is An Anxiety Attack | What Doctors Say

What Is A Panic Attack

If you are asking “what is a panic attack,” the answer really comes from the book DSM IV that psychiatrists and other doctors use to diagnose various “mental illnesses.” I put this in brackets because not everyone believes that panic attacks are part of a mental illness.

As far as doctors go, it is an illness and this is based on many reasons. Panic attacks are found world-wide. People with panic attacks show the same set of symptoms and the same course of the “illness.” Both medication and specific non-medication treatments can help panic attacks. There is a known biological pathway for anxiety and panic attacks tend to run in families.

When doctors think what is a panic attack, they are also concerned about if the person has a panic disorder and other illnesses (depression) that are related to panic. A panic attack is a specific set of symptoms. A panic disorder are those symptoms happening repeatedly over a long period of time.

Examples of People’s Experiences With Panic Attacks

What Is A Panic Attack | Doctors Criteria

Before you dive into this list and forget everything, be aware of the major causes which I put in bold. It is easy to get lost in every rare disorder that could cause a panic attack. You doctor is responsible for knowing what is a panic attack and how to eliminated all of the below. You can always go through the list with you doctor. All of the below can be cause panic attacks. Although I’ve tried to be complete, I am fallible and there may be missing items.

The Diagnostic And Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) gives the exact definition of what is a panic attack. Doctors use this, so here is the Criteria for a Panic Attack:

A discrete period of intense fear or discomfort, in which four (or more) of the following symptoms developed abruptly and reached a peak within 10 minutes:

• palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
• sweating
• trembling or shaking
• sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
• feeling of choking
• chest pain or discomfort
• nausea or abdominal distress
• feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
• derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
• fear of losing control or going crazy
• fear of dying
• paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)
• chills or hot flashes

Go here for more information on the physical symptoms of anxiety.

What You Need to Know About What Is A Panic Attack:

Panic attacks are caused by many things. They can be related to other physical illness, another mental illness, lifestyle, or what is being put in your body. You should be evaluated by a doctor for panic attacks to make sure you don’t have anything serious. Once you confirm you have panic attacks you can choose to take medications from you doctor to stop the attacks, go to individual therapy, or look into popular programs for panic that you can do from home such as Panic Away or The Linden Method.

Here is a list of some of the major contributors to panic attacks that I have seen with patients and that you may need to discuss with your doctor.

1. Other Mental Disorders

• Underlying depression
• Underlying PTSD
• Underlying Generalized Anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Acute Stress Disorder
• Social Phobia
• Specific Phobia
• Psychotic Disorders

2. Underlying Substance Use Disorder

• Drinking too much
• Methamphetamine or Cocaine use
• Too much caffeine
• Opioid withdrawal (Prescription pain medications, heroin, other narcotics)
• Sedatives and Sedative Withdrawal (including barbituates)
• Marijuana
• Theophylline
• Amyl Nitrite
• Anticholinergics
• Antihistamines
• Hallucinogens

3. Non-Medical

• Poor sleep
• High stress
• Too many recent changes
• Lack of social supports
• Asthma

4. Medical

• Heart Arrhythmias (supraventricular tachycardia)
• Underlying Heart Condition (angina or Heart attack, heart failure)
• Hyperthyroidism
• Blood Electrolyte Imbalance
• Hyperventillation
• High Blood Pressure
• Anemia
• Cancer
• Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attacks
• Menopause
• B12 Deficiency

5. Medical: Less Common or Rare

• Pulmonary Embolism
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Vestibular Disorders (balance problems)
• Cushing’s Syndrome
• Hypoparathyroid
• Addison’s Disease
• Seizure Disorder
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Huntington’s Disease
• Wilson’s Disease
• Lupus
• Uremia
• Pheochromocytoma
• Mastocytosis
• Carcenoid Syndrome
• Heavy Metal Poisoning
• Temporal Arteritis
• Sepsis
• Systemic Allergic Reaction

6. Medications That Can Cause Anxiety

• Thyroid Medication
• Medications for Asthma
• Theophylline
• Hormones (Contraceptives)
• Steroids
• Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (many of the antidepressants)
• Methyldopa
• Amphetamines (for ADHD, e.g. Ritalin)
• Medications/products with Caffeine (Many over the counter medications have caffeine: Excedrin)
• Decongestants : Sudafed

After You Learn What Is A Panic Attack, What Next?

I usually recommend to my patients to begin a process of elimination to stop the panic attacks. Some things are easier than others to do. I ask all my patients with panic to avoid any caffeine, drugs or alcohol. This is a tall order for many. Caffeine withdrawal can be very difficult to deal with. Many people like their alcohol or don’t really believe alcohol or drugs are related to the attacks. I say to just give them up for a month or two and see if it makes a difference.

The next step is to visit you doctor and get a full workup. It is much less expensive to do this in the doctor’s office than having to go to an emergency room during a panic attack. It is also a lot more convenient. Make sure you are honest with your doctor about any depression or other problems you are having. Depression and anxiety so frequently go with each other that I call them twins. Besides, some of the medications used to treat anxiety and panic attacks will treat the depression.

After approval from your doctor, begin an exercise program that involves vigorous exercise 5-6 days per week for at least 30 minutes. Vigorous exercise is getting your heart rate to a sustained 70% of maximum and you can find out more about this here. Regular, vigorous exercise is the single most effective thing you can do for anxiety (and depression).

Next, learn about meditation and relaxation. The program Panic Away and The Linden Method both cover this. It is very important to learn how to relax and to practice this for 10 minutes daily if you have anxiety. Relaxation can be helped with hypnosis, progressive muscle relaxation, or with a biofeedback machine.

Finally, you have to assess the things in your life causing you stress. This may take the aid of a counselor, talking with your spouse or significant other, or perhaps just sitting down and making a list of the things in your life causing problems. The most frequent chronic problems I see involve

1. Being in Debt
2. Not having a rainy day fund
3. Committing to too many things (A Major Problem)
4. Spending excessive time on the computer: (email, Facebook, surfing, playing games)
5. Poor health from lack of exercise and poor dietary habits
6. Our Individual Perception of Stress

Summary of What Is A Panic Attack

Doctor use a set of symptoms to identify panic attacks. Medical problems, mental problems, stressors, and our perception of stress all can lead to panic attacks. A doctor will evaluate anyone with panic attacks for serious illnesses that can cause the attacks. Once the reason for the attacks is known, there are good medication, therapy, and home programs that can be of benefit.

More Resources on What is A Panic Attack

Dr.Rich is a psychiatrist who writes about mental health related topics focusing on anxiety disorders and substance abuse on various blogs as he realizes anxiety and substance abuse occur together.  You can find information about opioid dependence and suboxone treatment. Skip to our other sections:

Anxiety Information | Panic Attacks| Social Anxiety| Generalized Anxiety| Stress Management