Panic Attacks

PANIC ATTACKS

What are Panic Attacks?

A lot of people say that they have had a panic attack at somepoint in their lives, and then generally go on to describe a wide variety of different signs and symptoms.

Officially, a panic attack is described as an intense feeling of impending disaster which comes on suddenly. With this feeling you also can have lots of nasty physical reactions such as; not feeling you can breath, chest pains, sweating, the shakes, hot and/or cold flushes etc. Basically these are your reactions when you are very scared.

This scaredness often makes people think that something terrible is going to happen to them, maybe like going mad or having a heart attack.

How Many People Suffer Panic Attacks?

Although there is no exact figure, anything between 1 in 200 and 1 in 33 people may experience panic attacks during any specific year. So if you think you do suffer from them, remember you're not the only one by any means.

What Brings on Panic Attacks?

Often, people don't think of their problems as being anything to do with worrying but they usually are. Also usually the first panic attack happens following some major stress in peoples' lives, such as someone loved dying or something simple like moving house.

What Treatments Work?

Some of the most effective forms of therapy for this problem include Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Behavioural Therapy, and various techniques such as Relaxation. Various drugs can also be used.

We have now created a SimplePsych factsheet on Panic Attacks which goes into more detail while still using easy to understand English. If you would be interested in this service please let us know by emailing us Click Here

However, please note we do make a small charge for this service.

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* RECOMMENDED BOOKS *

If you are interested in going into even more depth, the following book(s), sold by Amazon.co.uk, are recommended by us. Each is followed by a rating for ease of reading (1-3).

1=Simple and Easy to comprehend.
2=More Complex but still a good read.
3=Very Complex, only for professionals/those studying to degree level.

Panic Attacks (Ingham)

RATING SCORE = 1 A cheap, well written book meant for the average person.

Panic Attacks (Breton)

RATING SCORE = 1 A more USA-friendly type of self-help book if you know what we mean.

How to Conquer Your Fears, Phobias & Anxieties: Stop Running Scared (Fensterheim et al)

RATING SCORE = 2 Behavioural techniques designed to help you.

Overcoming Panic, Anxiety & Phobias: New Strategies to Free Yourself from Worry & Fear (Goldman & Babior)

RATING SCORE = 2 We've thrown in another self-help book in case the others didn't take your fancy.

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