Introduction & Theoretical Background
Panic attacks are single episodes of intense fear or discomfort that begin suddenly and reach a peak within minutes. Particularly common among those who suffer from anxiety (Schmidt, 2006), they are not dangerous, and do not by themselves indicate that treatment is required. Many people only experience a single panic attack in their lifetime, though experiencing one panic attack increases the probability of having another in the future. Physiological symptoms of panic include:
- Palpitations or a pounding heartbeat
- Sweating, trembling, or shaking
- Dry mouth, shortness of breath, or feelings of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Hot flushes or cold chills
- Nausea, churning stomach, dizziness, or light-headedness
- Fear of dying, losing control, going crazy, or passing out
- Numbness or tingling sensations