Panic attack can kill you

Have you ever felt the sudden surge of overwhelming anxiety and fear? Do you call or visit the hospital often to be told after series of tests that nothing is wrong with you? Does your heart pound and you can’t breathe? You may even feel like you are dying or going crazy, look no further, you may be suffering from a panic attack.
Clinical psychologist, Patricia Chiegboka states: “Panic attack is an anxiety disorder where an individual feels overwhelmed in situations that he or she cannot control. Such people feel anxious and have irregular heartbeats. It happens to people who lack concentration in any uncontrolled event. People suffering from epilepsy have panic attacks from time to time.”
A panic attack is often a reaction to fear, either conscious or unconscious, and some of the strange physical reactions you experience during one are the result of your body reacting to this fear. It is a sudden rush of physical symptoms like shortness of breath, muscle spasms, and nausea coupled with uncontrollable anxiety and sometimes a sense of impending doom.
If someone constantly lives in apprehension, becoms fearful of things and situations, it results in panic. Agitation sets in and sometimes, there is mental blackout. If left untreated, panic attacks can lead to panic disorder and other problems. They may even cause withdrawal from normal activities.
The cheering news is that panic attacks can be cured and the sooner one seeks help, the better. With treatment, one can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of panic and regain control of their life.
According to Chiegboka, when one is not in charge of situations important to one’s welfare such as preparing for an upcoming examination, it can result to panic attack. “You are required to study well to be able to reproduce answers during your exams, but when you have not studied, panic sets in. It is an indication that you are not prepared and that you are fearful.”
In Nigeria, the fear of terrorism can trigger panic attacks. It makes people live in fear. “Any slight bang will throw people into a state of panic even if is not a bomb explosion. This may cause people to run helter skelter without trying to find out where the bang came from. It can also lead to death, Chiegboka added.”
In addition, individuals married to aggressive spouses will live in a continuous state of panic which gives rise to other health conditions.  Panic attack respects neither age nor race. Anyone can experience it, man, woman, children and the elderly. But it is more dangerous in elderly people because it may trigger heart attack.
Panic attacks could put you at greater risk of suffering a heart attack, claim researchers. Those diagnosed with panic disorder before the age of 50 are particularly vulnerable to heart disease later in life, according to a study. Researchers say the finding is important as people who have panic attacks often fear they are in the grip of a heart attack, and there may in fact be a biological link.

Causes of panic attacks
Although the exact causes of panic attacks are unclear, the tendency to have panic attacks runs in families. There also appears to be a connection with major life transitions such as graduating from college and entering the workplace, getting married, and having a baby. Severe stress, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or job loss can also trigger a panic attack.
Panic attacks can also be caused by medical conditions and other physical causes such as Mitral valve prolapse, a minor cardiac problem that occurs when one of the heart’s valves doesn’t close correctly. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), Stimulant use (amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine) may also trigger panic attacks.

Recognise the symptoms of a panic attack
Familiarizing yourself with panic attack symptoms can help you feel more in control while one’s happening. Once you realize you are experiencing a panic attack and not a heart attack, allergic reaction, or some other serious ailment, you can focus on techniques for calming yourself.
Being able to recognise it for what it is will help you decide what action to take to overcome it. Although symptoms differ from person to person, and only a trained professional can provide a definite diagnosis. Some of the symptoms are irregular heartbeat, dizziness and lightheadedness, shortness of breath, choking sensations and nausea.
One can also experience shaking and sweating, fatigue and weakness, chest pain and heartburn, muscle spasms, hot flashes or sudden chills. The symptoms may also include a fear that you are going crazy, might die or be seriously ill.
While panic attack is a serious issue that can be triggered even by looking at pictures and driving on a lonely road at night, it can be managed if one seeks help on time. It can be managed through muscle relaxation therapy, deep breathing techniques, exercise, such as walking, yoga and stretching. If extreme, medications will aid in relaxing the individual.
Chiegboka revealed that treating an individual with panic attack requires patience, tact and attention to details. In terms of using drugs to treat panic attacks, the nature of administration determines the level of success attained. She also added that if the condition is accompanied by compulsive depression, it can be treated with anti-depressants.
To start feeling in control of your anxiety, make an appointment with your doctor and get a full physical exam. This will help you focus your approach, as you will find out whether you are coping with panic attacks and not some other ailment. A clean bill of health can also help alleviate irrational fears of dying and doom, which can surface during a panic attack.