Are panic attacks fatal

Can you die from a panic attack? Research and what to do.

During a panic attack, a person experiences overwhelming anxiety. They may feel their heart is racing, they cannot breathe, or they are going to die. However, panic attacks cannot kill a person directly.

This article explores the possibility of dying from a panic attack. We also outline some potential health effects of repeated panic attacks or panic disorder. Lastly, we look at ways to reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks and when to speak with a doctor.

Share on PinterestThe changes the body undergoes during a panic attack cannot kill a person.
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A panic attack may be frightening, but it is not fatal.

During a panic attack, a person becomes overwhelmed by feelings of fear and anxiety, which causes the body to react as if it is in danger. It goes into “fight or flight” mode, increasing a person’s heart rate and breathing rate.

These temporary changes can feel uncomfortable and frightening, but they will not kill the individual.

Some people may breathe rapidly, or hyperventilate, during a panic attack. Hyperventilation lowers carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which may make a person feel lightheaded. In rare instances, the individual may faint.

It is important to note that panic can actually mobilize resources and make people hyperalert. In a technique called exposure therapy, a therapist will recommend that a person keep going as usual, to help them learn that panic goes away on its own and bad things do not happen.

An older study from 2005 suggested panic attacks may worsen heart problems in people with coronary heart disease (CHD). This disease has characteristic narrow or blocked arteries that supply the heart muscle.

The above study included 65 people with CHD. Of these, 35 had panic disorder (PD), while 30 did not. PD is an anxiety disorder in which a person experiences regular panic attacks.

Researchers induced the physiological effects of a panic attack by asking participants to inhale a gas containing 35% carbon dioxide and 65% oxygen. Each participant then received a heart scan. Those who had PD were more likely to experience a panic attack than those who did not.

Among all participants who experienced a panic attack, those with PD were more likely to develop a temporary myocardial perfusion defect, where certain areas of the heart receive reduced blood flow.

This does not mean that a panic attack is potentially fatal for a person with CHD. However, the study authors concluded that panic attacks in people with CHD negatively impact the heart.

A panic attack can overwhelm a person’s coping mechanisms, making them feel as if they are in imminent danger.

Simply knowing that the symptoms are due to a panic attack and not something else can drain some of the intensity from the attack. Some potential symptoms to be aware of include:

racing heart
tightness in the chest
rapid, shallow breathing
feelings of terror
fear of dying
inability to think about anything else

During a panic attack, a person can try the following:

Ride out the attack: Rather than trying to escape the situation, continue what you are doing and do not look for distractions. Remain present in the moment until the feelings of panic subside.
Try not to fight feelings of fear: Trying to avoid anxiety can create anxiety, which only tends to worsen a panic attack. Instead, people should aim to observe and accept their feelings of anxiety without judgment.
Try to remain mindful of the present moment: Being mindful can offer a simple distraction from anxiety and panic. One approach is to try to notice five sights, four smells, or three sounds. Another way is for a person to count how many objects they see around them.
Breathe slowly and deeply: People sometimes hyperventilate during a panic attack, which decreases levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, so the heart then races faster. This sequence can result in dizziness or fainting. Breathing slowly and deeply can counteract these effects.

Learn more about dealing with panic attacks.

PD is treatable — the right treatment may reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks and prevent future episodes.

Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy for PD can be highly effective. This treatment emphasizes “exposure therapy,” where healthcare professionals train people to reduce avoidance behaviors and confront them directly through exposure exercises.

Other effective treatment options include:

therapy to discuss feelings of anxiety and develop coping skills
medication, including anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs
lifestyle changes, such as exercise and meditation

A 2008 study investigated the risk of heart attacks, CHD, and cardiovascular death among people with panic attacks or PD. The study identified the following correlations:

There was an increased incidence of heart attack among people below 50 years of age who had panic attacks or PD.
There was an increased incidence of CHD among people of all ages who had panic attacks or PD.
There was a decreased incidence of cardiovascular-related death among people of all ages who had panic attacks or PD.

The research did not find that panic attacks cause heart attacks and heart disease. It also did not prove that panic attacks protect a person from cardiovascular-related death — the study only established a correlation between these factors.

A panic attack will not directly trigger a heart attack. However, a 2016 review linked chronic anxiety and stress to an increased risk of the following cardiovascular issues:

high blood pressure
coronary heart disease
heart attacks

There are at least two reasons why anxiety may increase the risk of cardiac issues.

Chronic anxiety may trigger physiological changes in the body, which could lead to the following:

chronic inflammation
increased risk of blood clots
weakened heart muscles

People may also adopt behaviors that negatively affect health to manage their anxiety, including:

overeating
drinking alcohol
smoking
using illegal drugs
avoiding exercise

PD is a treatable condition. People who experience panic attacks may believe that they simply need to “calm down,” but the very nature of panic attacks makes it difficult to do this.

Individuals should see a doctor if they experience any of the following:

new or worsening panic attacks
more frequent panic attacks
panic attacks that do not get better after several weeks of treatment
any side effects from medications for treating panic attacks
any signs of heart health issues, such as:
- chest pain
- irregular heartbeat
- becoming winded when walking
- swelling in the body

People should also phone 911 or seek emergency medical attention if they experience any of the following signs of a heart attack:

intense chest pain or pressure, especially if it lasts more than a minute or two
shortness of breath, even after several minutes of slow, deep breathing
lightheadedness, especially if different from previous panic attack dizziness
chest pain that radiates to the jaw or shoulders

Panic attacks can feel so overwhelming that a person fears they are going to die. This fear of dying may intensify the panic attack, leading to a vicious cycle of worsening panic.

A panic attack cannot directly kill a person.

However, if a person has an underlying medical condition, a doctor may recommend trying to find a safe place to stop and sit when they feel a panic attack coming.

Otherwise, cognitive behavioral therapists will recommend that they ride out the panic attack so that they can see that nothing dangerous happens. Over time, individuals may be able to learn that panic attacks are not dangerous.

The right combination of therapy and medication can help a person start living their life toward their goals and values and stop spending their time avoiding panic symptoms.

The goal of treatment is helping people live fuller lives rather than removing negative feelings and sensations.

Over time, individuals should be able to learn that panic attacks are not dangerous and that they can handle panic symptoms when they occur. In fact, the less people begin to fear panic attacks, the fewer attacks individuals are likely to encounter.

Can you die from a panic attack? Research and what to do.

Share on PinterestThe changes the body undergoes during a panic attack cannot kill a person.
Getty Images

A panic attack may be frightening, but it is not fatal.

These temporary changes can feel uncomfortable and frightening, but they will not kill the individual.

The above study included 65 people with CHD. Of these, 35 had panic disorder (PD), while 30 did not. PD is an anxiety disorder in which a person experiences regular panic attacks.

Among all participants who experienced a panic attack, those with PD were more likely to develop a temporary myocardial perfusion defect, where certain areas of the heart receive reduced blood flow.

This does not mean that a panic attack is potentially fatal for a person with CHD. However, the study authors concluded that panic attacks in people with CHD negatively impact the heart.

A panic attack can overwhelm a person’s coping mechanisms, making them feel as if they are in imminent danger.

Simply knowing that the symptoms are due to a panic attack and not something else can drain some of the intensity from the attack. Some potential symptoms to be aware of include:

racing heart
tightness in the chest
rapid, shallow breathing
feelings of terror
fear of dying
inability to think about anything else

During a panic attack, a person can try the following:

Ride out the attack: Rather than trying to escape the situation, continue what you are doing and do not look for distractions. Remain present in the moment until the feelings of panic subside.
Try not to fight feelings of fear: Trying to avoid anxiety can create anxiety, which only tends to worsen a panic attack. Instead, people should aim to observe and accept their feelings of anxiety without judgment.
Try to remain mindful of the present moment: Being mindful can offer a simple distraction from anxiety and panic. One approach is to try to notice five sights, four smells, or three sounds. Another way is for a person to count how many objects they see around them.
Breathe slowly and deeply: People sometimes hyperventilate during a panic attack, which decreases levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, so the heart then races faster. This sequence can result in dizziness or fainting. Breathing slowly and deeply can counteract these effects.

Learn more about dealing with panic attacks.

PD is treatable — the right treatment may reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks and prevent future episodes.

Other effective treatment options include:

therapy to discuss feelings of anxiety and develop coping skills
medication, including anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs
lifestyle changes, such as exercise and meditation

A 2008 study investigated the risk of heart attacks, CHD, and cardiovascular death among people with panic attacks or PD. The study identified the following correlations:

There was an increased incidence of heart attack among people below 50 years of age who had panic attacks or PD.
There was an increased incidence of CHD among people of all ages who had panic attacks or PD.
There was a decreased incidence of cardiovascular-related death among people of all ages who had panic attacks or PD.

A panic attack will not directly trigger a heart attack. However, a 2016 review linked chronic anxiety and stress to an increased risk of the following cardiovascular issues:

high blood pressure
coronary heart disease
heart attacks

There are at least two reasons why anxiety may increase the risk of cardiac issues.

Chronic anxiety may trigger physiological changes in the body, which could lead to the following:

chronic inflammation
increased risk of blood clots
weakened heart muscles

People may also adopt behaviors that negatively affect health to manage their anxiety, including:

overeating
drinking alcohol
smoking
using illegal drugs
avoiding exercise

PD is a treatable condition. People who experience panic attacks may believe that they simply need to “calm down,” but the very nature of panic attacks makes it difficult to do this.

Individuals should see a doctor if they experience any of the following:

new or worsening panic attacks
more frequent panic attacks
panic attacks that do not get better after several weeks of treatment
any side effects from medications for treating panic attacks
any signs of heart health issues, such as:
- chest pain
- irregular heartbeat
- becoming winded when walking
- swelling in the body

People should also phone 911 or seek emergency medical attention if they experience any of the following signs of a heart attack:

intense chest pain or pressure, especially if it lasts more than a minute or two
shortness of breath, even after several minutes of slow, deep breathing
lightheadedness, especially if different from previous panic attack dizziness
chest pain that radiates to the jaw or shoulders

Panic attacks can feel so overwhelming that a person fears they are going to die. This fear of dying may intensify the panic attack, leading to a vicious cycle of worsening panic.

A panic attack cannot directly kill a person.

However, if a person has an underlying medical condition, a doctor may recommend trying to find a safe place to stop and sit when they feel a panic attack coming.

The right combination of therapy and medication can help a person start living their life toward their goals and values and stop spending their time avoiding panic symptoms.

The goal of treatment is helping people live fuller lives rather than removing negative feelings and sensations.

"X-Clinic" article - Symptoms of panic attacks and how to deal with them The editors of WMJ.ru talked to a psychotherapist and learned everything about panic attacks firsthand. Details - in our material!

What is a panic attack

A panic attack is an attack of sudden fear and intense anxiety for no apparent reason. The origins of panic disorder are not entirely clear. However, it is believed that the disease has a genetic predisposition and more often affects the fair sex. Women are more prone to panic attacks and suffer from this disorder 2-3 times more often than men. nine0003

Panic attacks cannot lead to death, despite the fact that this is the sensation that most often accompanies them. The more frequent attacks occur, the worse the quality of life becomes. People who have repeatedly experienced panic attacks become increasingly anxious and subconsciously try to avoid places or situations where and when they succumbed to fear. Those who have ever experienced an attack at night, subsequently face sleep disorders.

What are the symptoms of a panic attack

A panic attack is a case of an attack of fear with a sense of imminent death or anxiety, accompanied by certain symptoms. Most often, these include: rapid heartbeat and pulse, sweating, chills or a feeling of heat, tremors, shortness of breath and suffocation, dizziness, fainting, fear of death, and others. If 4 of the symptoms listed above are present, we can talk about an attack of a panic attack.

What to do in case of a panic attack

The most important thing to do during a panic attack is to shift your attention. Any method is fine for distraction. If the attack caught you in a public place, then you can clench and unclench your fists, rub your earlobes or step from foot to foot. If the panic caught you by surprise at home, try turning on the music, start doing household chores: washing dishes, dusting. Any activity that involves muscle work and requires attention will do. nine0003

Since a panic attack is accompanied by a rapid heartbeat and a feeling of stuffiness, it will not be superfluous to take a couple of sips of water and concentrate on breathing. It is best to learn a few techniques that will quickly relieve tension. In case of an attack, start with an exhalation - slow it down, and the pulse will also slow down. The ratio of the length of inhalation and exhalation should be 1:2. You can experiment and choose the technique that will help you. A smartphone can also help to distract from panic. Games, social networks - all this will switch attention and distract from a panic attack. nine0003

How normal anxiety differs from a panic attack

The mechanism that triggers a panic attack is no different from what causes ordinary anxiety - both are psychophysical reactions to danger. The difference is that a panic attack is a reaction to danger in the absence of danger. Nevertheless, a false alarm triggers the same cascade of reactions as a normal alarm - the sympathetic system is activated, adrenaline is released.

A panic attack can occur against the background of excessive physical exertion, overwork and exhaustion, as well as against the background of the abuse of stimulants and alcohol. In addition, stress and unresolved conflict situations can provoke an attack. Lack of understanding of one's own experiences and feelings, a tendency to avoid negative emotions and ignore them also increase vulnerability to panic disorder.

How to prevent a panic attack from turning into a panic disorder

Panic disorder is characterized by a number of symptoms, one of which is a panic attack. In order to make a diagnosis of "panic disorder", it is necessary that panic episodes manifest themselves constantly for a month and are not associated with threats, dangers and previous diseases. In addition, attacks should be accompanied by the following symptoms: anxiety about the repetition of attacks, loss of self-control, a sharp change in behavior. nine0003

How to treat panic attacks and when to see a specialist

Seeing a specialist for recurring panic attacks is a must. Therapy is selected individually and, as a rule, includes psychotherapeutic work and drug therapy. Psychotherapy implies a variety of techniques aimed at understanding and understanding the causes of problems, learning how to deal with the symptoms of the disease, methods of relaxation. Psychotherapy can take place in the form of individual meetings with a psychotherapist or in the form of group sessions with other patients. Drug therapy for panic disorder is carried out with various drugs that help reduce anxiety and fear. Appointment, correction of dosages and cancellation of treatment must be carried out under the supervision of a physician. nine0003

Modern neurotechnologies can also help in the treatment of panic attacks. Neurofeedback training methods have been developed for patients with panic disorder. During trainings, patients learn to manage their emotional state, they form new neural connections, and the level of anxiety decreases. In addition to professional help, lifestyle plays an important role in the treatment and prevention of panic attacks. Try not to abuse alcohol and caffeine, rest more, go in for sports, yoga is better. nine0025

Source: https://www.wmj.ru/krasota/telo/golovokruzhenie-zhar-i-dazhe-udushe-simptomy-panicheskikh-atak-i-kak-s-nimi-borotsya-razbiraem-s-vrachom.htm

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symptoms, signs, methods of influence with the help of acupuncture, osteopathy. M. Avtozavodskaya.

Panic attack - defined as a sudden attack of sudden onset, intense fear or unexplained mental discomfort. It culminates approximately 10 minutes after onset and includes at least four of the following symptoms: a sense of imminent danger or death, a desire to run or avoid something, tachycardia, sweating, trembling, feeling short of breath, choking (often as sensation of a lump in the throat that blocks breathing) or shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort in the heart area, dizziness, breast pain in women, nausea or abdominal discomfort, fear of death or loss of control over the situation, tingling sensation in the body, stiffness , muscle tension, chills or rushes of blood more often to the head, face (alternation of these sensations is possible). nine0003

From the point of view of modern medicine, panic attacks can be symptoms of phobias (fear), somatoform dysfunctions, post-traumatic stress disorder, cardiac problems, depression, endocrine diseases, the desire and result of weight loss at any cost, overwork, consequences after childbirth and many other problems. Therefore, some Russian-speaking doctors use the outdated terms “vegetative” or “sympathoadrenal crisis”, “cardioneurosis”, “VSD (vegetovascular dystonia), “NCD (neurocirculatory dystonia)”, reflecting ideas about disorders of the autonomic nervous system depending on the leading symptom. nine0003

The frequency and severity of attacks varies among people: some people have mild attacks several times a week, others have brief, very severe attacks. Women suffer from these conditions twice as often as men.

The main and unmistakable symptom of a panic attack is fear. It can be both pronounced (for example, fear of death, falling or slipping, fainting in a public place [it will look indecent], and alone at home [they won’t find me, no one will open the door, you’ll have to break it]), and outwardly causeless . nine0003

In Chinese medicine, fear is one of the basic, and therefore normal, emotions. The canons do not specify the type of fear (fear is fear!). In my opinion, this refers to the fear of obvious danger, caused by the instinct of self-preservation. All other fears: open space, wasted time, failure, etc. are non-normative, that is, pathological.

A panic attack can happen anywhere and at any time, but most often it occurs in uncomfortable situations. In a panic attack, a feeling arises that may not have a real cause for concern and lies outside the life-saving situation. After a panic attack, one feels fatigue, weakness, as if after hard exhausting work. And this is understandable - a person has just suffered a whole "bouquet" of unpleasant physical and moral sensations. nine0003

People often develop anxiety first, and only then fear. The difference between them is that anxiety usually does not have an objective stimulus, coming from within and is a stimulus of fear. Fear grows as a response to external stimuli. Thus, if you deal with the inner world, then the reactions to the surrounding space will be more adequate. This means that the description of the state must begin with anxiety, anxiety.

There is no Chinese word that exactly matches the term "anxiety". There are several options for this condition. From a medical point of view, the character 病 ( bin ) - "disease", "defect", "lack" - usually combined with the hieroglyph 心 ( xin ) - "heart" (the place of storage of spirit Shen and Mind). Thus, a "mental disorder" is obtained.

From the point of view of Russian linguistics, the word "anxiety" is also not very simple, and the roots of its origin are very confused. But in the native language there are synonyms that allow you to expand the palette of colors that describe the state of a person - this is awe, anxiety, prolonged mental hesitation, indecision. Variants are even possible - “the desire to take risks, to dare”, but there are no forces or resources, which will also cause confusion of the soul. nine0003

In Chinese medicine, there are 2 main conditions corresponding to anxiety and anxiety:
1. Fear and palpitations (jing chi) . From the point of view of classical Chinese medicine, in the system of the Five Elements , fear refers to Kidneys . But in this ordered integrity, a natural (normal) emotion is represented, associated with the instinct of self-preservation. And panic fear is already going beyond harmony. It should be noted that by "rapid heartbeat" the ancient Chinese meant not only tachycardia, but also those unpleasant sensations during the beating of the heart, its flutter, which had nothing to do with the frequency of contractions of the organ, which often occur during panic attacks. nine0003

Panic attacks first of all Heart , because its "task" is to respond to all emotions without exception. And the brighter they pass, the more the organ itself is injured, and the entire nervous system begins to “vibrate”.

Pathological patterns will be states Emptiness or Deficiency (Qi, Yang, Yin and Blood) Fullness or Excess (Stagnation of Blood and Heat [often combined with Phlegm]). These pathologies are closely associated with impaired relationships Hearts with other organs, e.g. Lungs (they "give birth" and are affected by worry), Kidneys (they are affected by fear), Spleen (long thinking) and Liver (controls unhindered movement Qi and Blood throughout the body).

It should already become clear that anxiety is present in the patterns of all the systems presented above, but each of the organs has its own specific symptoms. Patients with dysfunction Hearts look obsessed, anxious, fussy and necessarily suffer from palpitations. They will definitely have insomnia or sleep disturbance. Other symptoms will depend on the states Fullness this or Emptiness . For example, fright or shock will be caused by the condition Excess (Fullness) , and panic due to overwork or loss of blood - Deficiency (Emptiness) .

The subject of anxiety associated with Lungs is often spiritual issues, problems of finding the meaning of life and existential experiences, there is a panic fear of being abandoned. At Lungs affects sadness and grief associated with the loss of loved ones, nostalgia. For self-elimination Lung Qi Stagnation yawning often occurs.

Emotion Kidney - fear, but, as mentioned above, associated with the instinct of self-preservation. Patients also experience guilt. They are pessimistic, gloomy with dark faces or scared. Here may be present both the descent of Qi and its rise in combination with Stagnation . nine0003

Spleen is affected by the obsessive movement of thoughts in a circle, thoughtfulness and thoughtfulness. There is always an "internal dispute" or dialogue. Anxiety of the Spleen can be associated both with overprotection of their children, and from suffering from a lack of maternal care and ignoring one's own needs. There will be fear of the future, independence and distance.

Liver suffers from perfectionism. This is due to the fact that the soul Hun stored in Liver is responsible for plans, projects, future, dreams. Therefore, "liver" anxiety (often due to Liver Blood Deficiency, Chi Blockage and/or Blood ) will be associated with dissatisfaction with one's achievements. Fear will be in the form of fear of open spaces, squeezing, constraint, suppression, stagnation.

2. Panic pulsation (zheng chun). "Fear and palpitations" may turn into a more serious condition - "Panic throbbing". Heart in Chinese medicine is not so much an organ that mechanically pumps blood, but rather a place of storage of the Mind. "Panic pulsation" is bad because the Mind is not only restless, as in "Fear and palpitations" , but also clogged, blocked. Blockage (violation of the smooth flow of processes in the body) can be Qi, Blood and Phlegm .

In order to fully cope with panic attacks in our Clinic, there is an integrated approach. Firstly, traditional Chinese diagnostics using herbal medicines and acupuncture. Secondly, some patients require psychological rehabilitation. A number of effective measures are presented on the Clinic's website. Thirdly, we use osteopathy, Chinese bodywork techniques and our own developments. Such influences are necessary in order to quickly remove muscle and organ spasms and blockages by manual contact with the body. Let me give you an example: in Chinese medicine, it is believed that all emotional outbursts and attacks are taken over by the “heart bag” - Pericardium so as not to worry as long as possible Heart - Emperor. Often patients with emotional disorders complain of retrosternal pain and shortness of breath, and in osteopathy there is a very effective manipulation of the pericardium through the sternum. The result comes almost instantly. Mental chewing gum strains, twists the structures of the brain, which can be literally “straightened”, relieving the Mind of anxiety.

Panic attacks are not a terrible disease and a death sentence. But they can greatly spoil the quality of life, especially if you do not eliminate the root causes and hope that everything will go away on its own.

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