Manifestations of panic attacks: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

A panic attack is a defense mechanism of the body that is triggered regardless of the circumstances, the person's well-being, or the person's wishes. During a panic attack, a person experiences a strong heartbeat, difficulty breathing, cold sweat on the forehead, and trembling hands. Such a state lasts on average up to 15 minutes, but all these minutes the person feels fear for his life.

The human body has incredible resources, and sometimes they are activated uncontrollably. For example, the well-known "fight or flight" reaction in response to a life-threatening situation. But chemical processes can appear suddenly - the same release of catecholamines during a panic attack, when there is no external threat either objectively or subjectively. A person is just doing some habitual work and suddenly feels a panic attack.

Why do panic attacks develop

The mechanism of panic attacks is as follows: first, adrenaline is released into the blood, as a result of which blood vessels narrow, blood pressure rises, and tachycardia begins. Then it becomes difficult for the person to breathe, shortness of breath appears: the patient tries to take a full breath, but he does not succeed. This causes anxiety and fear. In parallel, derealization and depersonalization may begin. In the next stage, lactic acid is released, which again triggers the release of adrenaline. The more the person panics, the stronger the attack becomes. But in general it lasts from 5 to 30 minutes.So what is the cause of panic attacks? Panic attacks are a disease of the anxiety spectrum, panic develops precisely against the background of anxiety. There are several factors that can trigger panic attacks:

1. Catecholamine factor. It consists of too many catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine) - biologically active substances produced by the adrenal glands and brain - entering the human bloodstream due to certain diseases or abnormalities. Catecholamines constrict blood vessels, act on the CNS, and increase cardiac output.
2. Genetic factor. Predisposition to panic attacks is inherited: studies have shown that 1/5 of patients with this disorder has a relative with the same diagnosis. Among twins, the percentage ratio is maximum: if one person is ill, then in 60% of cases the other twin will also become ill. Close relatives have the disorder in 20% of cases.
3. Frustration. According to psychoanalytic theory, if a patient develops an inner conflict - his desires do not match his abilities, this leads to anxiety and anxiety disorders.
4. External factors. The cause of panic attacks can be any event. For example, a person has experienced intense fear in an accident or the stress of the death of a loved one.
5. Errors in cognitive perception. If a person misperceives his own condition, it provokes a state of stress, anxiety and panic attacks. These are sensitive people who listen to their own sensations, they become alarmed at the slightest deviation in pressure readings.

Scientists continue to study psychological disorders and biochemical mechanisms. In particular, studies have found that organic abnormalities in the limbic system and temporal lobes of the brain reduce anxiety and fear. For example, people with dysocial personality disorder have abnormalities in the limbic system of the brain. According to scientists, this is the reason why such people do not feel fear, guilt and remorse and do not have deep emotional reactions. On the other hand, stimulation of the presented brain areas, on the contrary, causes fear, anxiety and worry, increasing them by several times.

How do panic attacks manifest themselves?

Scientists divide panic attacks into the following categories according to their symptoms:

• typical. The symptomatology will be directly related to the cardiovascular system. A person develops chest pain, his blood pressure rises, tachycardia develops, and a hypertensive crisis may occur. There are also symptoms of choking, nausea. The person rushes from hot to cold, and becomes very dizzy;
• atypical. The person's coordination of movements suffers - he cannot walk or stand normally, he needs to sit down or lie down. Tremors, cramps, and gagging may also be present. The person loses consciousness, has a feeling of a lump in the throat, vision and hearing are impaired.

Panic attacks are also divided into attributive and spontaneous.

1. Attributive. They are usually provoked by a certain situation, stress or other factors. Such panic attacks also occur against the background of alcohol or drug abuse, medications. The attributive type is noted in most people.
2. Spontaneous. They occur for no external reason.

Complaints of panic attacks have increased significantly in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Many people report having had to endure panic attacks as a result of job loss, illness, or loss of loved ones.