Panic Attacks

When we experience a panic attack, we are overcome with sudden, intense feelings of fear and anxiety, usually accompanied by alarming physical symptoms such as dizziness, sweating, a racing heart, shaking, nausea, chest pain, and shortness of breath. At the same time, we may feel an overwhelming sense of losing control, impending doom, or a conviction that we are dying. These episodes are incredibly unsettling, and it’s an unfortunate side effect that the fear of experiencing another attack can actually increase the likelihood of one occurring. The good news is that just understanding what panic attacks are and what may trigger them helps drastically decrease their severity and frequency. There are many highly effective therapies and treatment options for controlling, reducing, or eliminating panic attacks completely.