what can cause sudden panic attacks?
133494
It's brain chemistry. They used to think it was emotional, but now scientists realize it's a brain condition that triggers it. Thank goodness there are medications now. I suffered from them since I was 17. They usually start in your late teens.
451806
sounds like either a panic attack or sleep apnea (holding your breath while sleeping) both of which are very common\n\nsleep apnea tends to happen more frequently than once a year but can be very dangerous if it continues or gets worse in a person that isn't treated for it.\n\npanic attacks are common as well-nightmares can sometimes trigger them during sleep.\n\nsymptoms of a panic attack are:\n\n-palpitations (racing heart)\n-overwhelming feeling of panic or feeling like you are going to die\n-shortness of breath\n-chest pain or tightness\n-sweating\n-dizziness or faintness\n\nif you have any of those symptoms-best thing to do is lie down in a comfortable,dark,quiet room. place a cool washcloth on your forehead and focus on taking slow, deep breaths (this will help slow your heartrate down). get something cool to drink and take small,frequent sips. remain lying down until you fall asleep or feel calm enough to get back up.\n\nif this happens again in the near future-make an appt with your family dr. there are medications that can be given at night to help you sleep and ward off the panic attacks and there are also medications and methods to treat sleep apnea if you have it.\n\ngood luck
429797
When I first started getting panic attacks I hyperventilated a lot. My counselor said the only thing that could happen is that I would pass out and start breathing again. That was BAD information. I should have been given medication to prevent attacks.\nYour doctor sounds like a quack, go see someone else.\nIt may take time to find the right medication for you, but you have to keep trying. When you find the right one, you will feel SO much BETTER. \n\nHere is a link for you, I've copied some here for you. Good luck.\n\nWhat Are the Symptoms of Panic Disorder?\n\nSymptoms of a panic attack, which often last about 10 minutes, include:\n\nDifficulty breathing. \nPounding heart or chest pain. \nIntense feeling of terror. \nSensation of choking or smothering.\nDizziness or feeling faint. \nTrembling or shaking. \nSweating\nNausea or stomachache.\nTingling or numbness in the fingers and toes. \nChills or hot flashes.\nA fear that you are losing control or are about to die.
499800
Stress usually causes these things!!\nget some Zovorax!!!
523364
Probably some anxiety and maybe some obsessive complusive disorder (OCD). Here's some info on anxiety disorders and OCD. \n\nAnxiety disorders are the most prevalent group of psychiatric disorders in the United States. Approximately 27 million Americans--nearly 15 percent of the population--will suffer from an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.\n\nAnxiety disorders are most often characterized as having an element of fearfulness involved. According to Dr. Steve Dager, University of Washington associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Harborview Medical Center, these disorders come about as a kind of impairment or over-reactivity of the normal "flight or fight" response.\n\nAlthough these disorders are amenable to treatment, the majority of sufferers don't receive appropriate care. Most often, people with anxiety disorders will seek relief from the physical symptoms, such as rapid heart rate, respiratory distress or nausea, and may not be aware or may not want to admit that there are emotional causes for the symptoms.\n\n"People worry about being labeled 'crackpots' if they admit to overwhelming anxiety or fear," says Dager. "But there is evidence that these symptoms are the result of healthy coping mechanisms gone awry. And worrying about them tends to exaggerate their effects."\n\nThere are several different types of anxiety disorders. The most common are:\n\nGeneralized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), exaggerated tension without apparent cause, can be debilitating but doesn't usually cause people to avoid certain situations. People with GAD often seem unable to relax or fall asleep and may experience lightheadedness, shortness of breath, nausea, trembling, muscle tension, headaches, irritability, or sweating. \n\nPanic Disorder (PD) causes people to feel terror suddenly and unpredictably. PD can become disabling when people avoid situations they fear may bring on an attack. Panic attack symptoms include rapid pulse, chest pains, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, numbness, trembling, and a fear of going crazy or dying. Depression or alcoholism often accompanies PD. Panic disorder is probably the best studied and understood of the anxiety disorders. \n\nAgoraphobia, the most disabling anxiety disorder, is diagnosed when panic attacks cause people to increasingly refrain from normal activities. As such people avoid situations where they fear an attack may occur -- in crowds and stores and on bridges and public transportation -- they become so restricted, they may not leave their homes. \n\nSocial Phobia (SP), an intense fear of humiliation in social settings, may cause sufferers to avoid parties, public speaking, eating out, or even signing a check in public. Unlike shyness, those with SP can feel at ease around others, yet particular situations, like walking down an aisle, cause intense anxiety. SP disrupts relationships and careers as sufferers avoid certain situations. \n\nObsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by rituals, such as washing hands or checking things repeatedly (compulsions), or persistent, unwelcome thoughts, such as fears of committing violent acts, of performing sexual acts repugnant to the person, or of thoughts contrary to the person's religious beliefs (obsessions). Compulsive activities consume an hour or more each day and interfere with daily life. \n\nPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can result after a terrifying event, causing sufferers frightening thoughts and memories. Anniversaries of the incident can be difficult and ordinary events can trigger flashbacks or intrusive images. Sufferers may become easily irritated or have violent outbursts. Depression, substance abuse, or anxiety may accompany PTSD. \nIf\n you feel that your life is being ruled by anxiety and fear, and that your symptoms are having an impact on your relationships and daily life, you can find help. There's no need to live in fear
79292
Your symptoms and your prior diagnoses seem indicative of chronic panic attacks. Do you suddenly get nervous almost jumpy, begin sweating, have shortness of breath and what can only be described as chest pains when these attacks happen? If so, I would probably have to go with my first assessment. You may want to see your doctor and let him know of all of these symptoms (should they apply to you). He can then prescribe an anti-anxiety medication such as valium, xanax, buspar, etc. Do you have any idea what causes them? Have you suffered a traumatic experience in the past that could have been the basis for this? What generally trigger's this? Sometimes simple panic attacks happen as we remember or are exposed to a situation that is similar to a negative/traumatic experience in ones past. Also, panic attacks and some fears stem from the unknown. Have you heard of the phrase, "What you don't know won't hurt you?" This doesn't apply to people who suffer from panic attacks. The best way to combat this is to research what it is that scares you and trigger's these symptoms. To understand ones problem is to put oneself at ease. Try not to read too much into a situation as this will just increase your anxiety and make it worse. Have you heard of the K.I.S.S. Principle? It stands for Keep It Simple Stupid/Silly. The last "S" is part of the original phrase as Silly is a new variation. Don't take it personally. Anyways, life is already complicated enough without having our own fears and anxieties flare up and make life worse. Try to get to the bottom of this as it can be a learned behavior as a way to compensate for traumatic experiences in your past. I hope that I have been of some help to you in this endeavor. Good Luck to you!\n\nps: Anxiety will increase ones blood pressure and the lack of help and confusion will eventually fuel your anger making things worse. Keep calm as you don't want to give yourself a stroke as it could happen when left unchecked. \n\n\npps: That reminds me, also see your doctor about a blood pressure medication and to also recommend a good therapist as it will provide you with an outlet for your stress. Don't be worried about shame or stigma as over 50% of all Americans suffer from one kind of mental illness or another (no matter how mild of how bad it could be). You are in the majority in this respect. Remember, there is no shame in wanting to get better.\n\nppps: The stress that you are undergoing will lead to a build up of stomach acids which will create heartburn and if left unchecked GERD and/or esophageal varices (an ulcer in the esophagus where it meets your stomach opening), and eventually a gastric ulcer. Eat a lil something low in salt, sugar, fat and acid. This will allow the excess acids to work on the food and not your insides. BTW, sugary, salty and fatty foods will also elevate stomach acids. On a holistic note: I read that the drinking of certain types (not any and all) of vinegar will help to neutralize stomach acids. This makes sense as vinegar is an alkali and will neutralize acid. In any case, always consult your doctor before taking anything to help ease your problems as there may be an allergic or adverse reaction that you don't want to find out about the hard way.
568838
Yes, it is a form of paranoia and can be found in many mental illnesses. All you can do is anchor yourself and try to get past the panic attack. Talk to your dr about getting an "as needed" med for those attacks.
559987
It sounds like a panic attack to me, and I've learned about them.  Here's how you can tell for sure:  Are you afraid of something?  Is there something you don't want to do?  Are you in a situation you don't want to be in?  Then it's a panic attack.  If you cannot connect it to any thoughts, then it must be something else, and you should see a doctor.  But if it is the panic attack, YOU are the cause.  The good news is, YOU are also the cure.  Being afraid of the panic attack will only make you panic more, making your panic attack worse.  It's a vicious cycle.  But you will NOT die, go insane, or lose control from a panic attack.  Here are 6 steps to help.\n\n1. ACCEPT that you are anxious about something.\n2. Give yourself PERMISSION to feel anxious (it's okay!)\n3. BREATHE.  Slowly.\n4. TALK to yourself.  Tell yourself that the panic attack won't hurt you and that it will pass.\n5. DISTRACT yourself.  If you're not focusing on your anxiety, you wond be in a state of panic.\n6. LET TIME PASS.  Try to see the humor.  Also, try to figure out what's causing your anxiety.  Are you stressed out or afraid of something?\n\nIf you need more help, see a counselor or contact the Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety at www.stresscenter.com
604562
Well in my case the symptoms were extreme fear or anxiety, racing heart beat, unable to breathe or difficulty breathing and uncontrollable crying.  What helps me to calm down is drinking some water and taking a walk or stepping outside most importantly talking to someone husband or a friend someone you trust.  Usually this happens when high level stress is built up inside for a while.  Its important to do things every day to relieve that stress like excercise, reading a good book whatever you like to do to disconnect from the stress.
205686
What is an anxiety attack? An anxiety attack is a short period of strong fear that happens for no reason that you know of. An anxiety attack is also known as a panic attack. An anxiety attack can be a one-time event, or can become an ongoing problem. If you have two or more anxiety attacks in a month, you may have a condition called panic or anxiety disorder. If anxiety attacks become severe (very bad), they may keep you from living a normal life. \n\nWhat causes anxiety attacks? \n\nCaregivers do not know for sure what causes anxiety attacks. Sometimes they are caused by being in a situation that you find upsetting. You may have them due to a stressful life event, such as getting divorced. You are more likely to have anxiety attacks if you also have another mental health problem. Other mental health problems include depression (feeling very sad most or all of the time), or alcoholism (abusing alcoholic drinks). Anxiety attacks may happen for no reason. Anxiety attacks can happen to anyone, regardless of age or gender.\n\n\nSome health conditions or medicines may cause anxiety attack symptoms. Using or withdrawing from alcohol or illegal drugs may also cause symptoms. Some people have anxiety attacks that are triggered (started) by the fear of having a future anxiety attack. You are more likely to have anxiety attacks if someone in your family also has them. \n\nWhat are the signs and symptoms of an anxiety attack? \n\nThe symptoms felt during an anxiety attack can feel like symptoms of a serious health problem, such as a heart problem. On the other hand, some serious health problems can cause anxiety attacks, such as heart or breathing problems. Have your symptoms checked by a caregiver to make sure they are not caused by a serious health problem.\n\n\nThe main symptom of an anxiety attack is extreme fear. Other signs and symptoms are different from person to person. The same person may even have different signs and symptoms during repeat anxiety attacks. Signs and symptoms usually do not last longer than 30 minutes. Besides fear, other signs and symptoms of an anxiety attack may include:\n\n\nChest pain.\n\n\nDizziness, or feeling light-headed.\n\n\nFear of losing control or doing something embarrassing.\n\n\nFeeling of being out of touch with people or things around you.\n\n\nHaving a feeling of doom, which is feeling like something very bad is going to happen. You may feel like you are about to die.\n\n\nHeart palpitations (pal-pi-TAY-shuns), which is becoming suddenly aware of your heartbeat. You may feel like your heart is pounding, or beating too fast.\n\n\nSweating, trembling, or having hot or cold flashes.\n\n\nStomach discomfort or upset which may include nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) or diarrhea (loose, watery BMs).\n\n\nNumbness (loss of feeling) or tingling in your hands or feet. You may have numbness or tingling of your lips or around your mouth.\n\n\nYou may feel like you cannot breathe. Some people may hyperventilate (heye-per-VEN-ti-layte) during an anxiety attack and not even notice it. Hyperventilation means that your breaths are too fast and shallow. Breathing this way can cause numbness or tingling in your hands and lips. Your fingers or toes may have cramping, or even curl up. During an anxiety attack, focus on taking very slow, deep breaths. You may need a friend or loved one to help you do this by breathing with you. Your caregiver may show you how to breathe in and out of a paper bag when you hyperventilate. Never use a plastic bag. \n\n\nWith panic or anxiety disorder, you may have anxiety attacks that happen often. These attacks often come without reason or warning. You may be troubled with a fear of having another anxiety attack. You may have a lot of anxiety attacks, followed by weeks or months without having any.\n\n\nSome people become so fearful of having anxiety attacks that they are afraid to leave their house. This is called agoraphobia (ag-or-ah-FOH-bee-ah). People with agoraphobia m
168850
The exact cause of panic disorder is not clear. It is thought that panic disorder may result from an imbalance of chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters).\n\nPanic disorder also may be passed down through families (genetic). Children of parents who have panic disorder are up to 8 times more likely to develop panic disorder. 2 You are also at increased risk of developing panic disorder if you had a parent with either depression or bipolar disorder. 9, 8 Stressors (such as the sudden loss of a relationship) may trigger symptoms of panic disorder as well.\n\nYou may experience a panic attack without having panic disorder. Panic attacks may be triggered by:\n\nDrinking large amounts of alcohol or abruptly stopping the use of alcohol. \nDrinking large amounts caffeinated beverages. \nChain-smoking, which causes the amount of nicotine in the blood to be very high. \nTaking certain medications (such as those used to treat asthma and heart conditions) or abruptly stopping certain medications (such as those used to treat anxiety or sleep problems). \nUsing illegal drugs, such as cocaine or marijuana. \nHaving high levels of stress for a long time (chronic stress). \nHaving recently had a baby. \nHaving recently had surgery or been under general anesthesia. \nPanic attacks also can be caused by or associated with other medical conditions, including: 10 \n\nThyroid problems, such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). \nHeart problems, such as mitral valve prolapse. \nSeizure disorders, such as epilepsy. \nAsthma. \nRespiratory problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). \nStopping the use of a prescription medication, such as a heart medication. \nDepression. \nAnxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder.Panic disorder can be controlled with medications (such as antidepressants) and professional counseling (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy). Successful treatment reduces the number and frequency of panic attacks, decreases the anxiety that accompanies the fear of future attacks, and improves the quality of your life.\n\nIf your panic attacks were caused by a specific trigger, such as a medication reaction, you may not need treatment once the trigger has been removed, which in this case would mean stopping the medication with the help of your health professional. However, sometimes panic attacks caused by outside factors can continue after the trigger has been removed and may develop into panic disorder.\n\nInitial treatment\nInitial treatment for panic disorder depends upon the severity of your panic attacks, the fear or anxiety you feel about having another attack, and whether you have agoraphobia (avoiding situations or places that might trigger an attack) along with panic disorder.\n\nGenerally, initial treatment includes:\n\nProfessional counseling. \nCognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on modifying certain thinking and behavior patterns, is the most effective type of therapy for panic disorder. \nExposure therapy is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy focusing on confronting a feared object or situation. It can be especially helpful in treating agoraphobia or anxiety linked to a particular place or situation. \nMedications. \nThe most common medications used to treat panic disorder are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), or paroxetine (Paxil). If these medications are not effective or do not work because of their side effects, other antidepressants may be tried. \nAntidepressants with mixed neurotransmitter effects, such as venlafaxine (Effexor) are sometimes used. 7 \nBenzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (for example, Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or clonazepam (Klonopin) sometimes are prescribed either alone or combined with an antidepressant. Benzodiazepines are most commonly used for rapid, short-term relief of symptoms and may also be used as a part of ongoing trea
422435
The lightheadedness and difficulty breating can be side effects of the racing heart. If ur not having panic attacks, u should go to ur dr and find out what is making ur heart race.
250286
a panic attack is your bodys "fight or flight" reaction kicking in. the only difference is that its not considered rational at the moment that it happens. say you are walking in the jungle and a lion jumps out in front of you, thats the fight or flight reaction having a purpose. i have panic attacks, i know how you feel. no one ever died from a panic attack even though it can make you feel like it. if you need couseling try www.onestepatatime.com or if you just want someone to talk to you can talk to me. kristeena911@yahoo.com Good luck!
39101
I have a friend and a sister who both were suffering from panic attacks.  Interestingly, both started therapy and were prescibed Paxil by their psychiatrists.  Neither ever had a nother panic attack.  There are very effective drugs to help people control panic attacks.  You should talk to a professional.  I think you should make an appointment so that hopefully you can avoid having another attack.  When my sister had her attacks, she said it felt like there was a giant weight pressing down on her chest and that she couldn't breath.  I'm really glad that she doesn't have those anymore.  Good luck to you.
630283
Yes this could be from anxiety. The light headedness, and excess swallowing from nervousness, and the shortness of breath from possibly hyperventilating from too much worry about the situation. Id say mild panic attack but the chest pressure with light headedness could mean worse. Id get an ekg and " get it off your chest".
164749
everyone experiences anxiety, many times to different degrees, and are triggered by different sources.  \n\nSOunds like GAD or a mild panic attack, i would talk with a doctor
353100
It sounds like classic panic attacks.  Tell your Doctor exactly what you said here.  He will be able to prescribe a mild tranquilizer which will do wonders for you.  I`m taking Ativan for the same thing as you described.  As time goes on I find that I am taking it less and less.