Intense fear, pounding heart, and a feeling of impending doom. This is a common description of a panic attack. Psychiatrist Dr. David Crumpacker explained, Panic attacks can be debilitating for people who suffer with them. In fact, some of the anxiety disorders that we describe, one of the main facets is that people are terrified of having another one. They might have only had one but be absolutely terrified that it will recur.
Panic attacks can begin after a loss such as a death, unemployment, divorce.
It s never a normal consequence of anything to develop an anxiety disorder, to develop panic attacks, Dr. Crumpacker said. Antidepressant medicines work well. Presson only needed reassurance and a stress test that her heart was just fine. Realizing I was unable to manage my stress very well, I sought some personal counseling that has helped to ground me and calm me and think about how I can manage my stress differently, she said. On the extreme side, a patient can develop agoraphobia, fear of leaving home.