Panic attacks are real and they do account for over 20% of all emergency room visits. If you have never had one yourself it is difficult to describe and from the outside looking in they are hard to believe. But for the person having one, it is all too real.

It was in 1980 when the medical community gave this episode the name "Panic Attack." Panic attacks are part of the anxiety family and are treated by most physicians with the same pharmaceuticals that they use for anxiety.

Panic Attacks and anxiety in general is like a boiling over effect. The onset of an attack usually starts with a feeling of uneasiness. You just don't feel normal and you become sensitive to your environment. Your sense of smell, taste, touch, sound, and sight is heightened as your heart begins to race. Your attack is coming on now; you feel it and you can't do anything about it. As the attack begins you probably have one or more of the following feelings:

• A sense of impending death
• Sweating
• Shortness of Breath
• Tightness in your throat
• Hyperventilation
• Faintness Trembling Chills
• Dizziness
• Hot Flashes
• Nausea
• Headache
• Chest Pain
• Abdominal Cramping

At the end of your attack you are wiped out. You feel fatigue and worn out but most of all you are worried about going through another one at any time. Your behavior at home begins to change as well as work or with your family. You probably think you are going crazy or having a heart attack.

Treatments for panic attacks vary from doctor to doctor. However, most medications used act on the central nervous system to reduce anxiety and related symptoms.

Anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, and cognitive behavioral therapy (working with a therapist) have been successfully used to treat panic disorders. The following medication classes have been usefull:

• Benzodiazepines: anti-anxiety medications that include aprolazam (Xanax). These drugs are very easy to become dependent on or addicted to in this class of medications. Usually used only on a temporary basis.
• Antidepressants: known as SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most commonly used medications for panic disorder. They include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), cetalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro).
• Monoaxmine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI's): such as phnelzine (Nardil) tranylcypramine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) are only used when none of the other drugs work. MAOI's are the most effective medications for panic disorder, but they have serious side effects and they can interact with other drugs and foods.

Behavioral treatment appears to have long-lasting benefits.
Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and regularly scheduled meals may help reduce the frequency of the attacks. Reduce or avoid the use of caffeine and other stimulants.

Some doctors may prescribe cognitive-behavioral therapy. Usually this is for those patients that have had some sort of trauma in their life that may be triggering the attacks. This therapy may also include mental imagery and relaxation techniques. Behavioral therapy appears to have long lasting results.

Genetics may play a role in the cause of panic attacks, however the exact cause is unknown. It is known that panic disorders are twice as common in women as in men. The onset of symptoms usually begins after the age of 25 with symptoms being very rare in children.

A full battery of test is run mainly to rule out any other potential illness. If you have had an attack or have come close to one be sure and see your physician as soon as possible. Treatments are available and with the proper diagnosis you should be able to get your life back to normal.