There are many kinds of mental illness and odd behaviors that can simply be uncategorized. They are not serious enough to be termed as mental illnesses but they do cause severe inconvenience for the person involved as the mind-body coordination gets affected and makes the patient severely weak.
One such disorder is Panic Attack or Panic Disorder. Classified mostly under anxiety and depression, the symptoms of a panic attack can be very similar to heart attacks and most patients may confuse both. It is better to get advice from the best heart hospital in Bangalore to clearly identify the symptoms of a heart attack so that they can eliminate and identify the symptoms of a panic attack.
Although similar, panic attacks are a more mental and emotional strain on the body with physical symptoms rather than a heart attack, which is purely physical and has to do with the malfunctioning of the heart.
Panic Attacks and Panic Disorders
Panic attacks are brought on by the patients due to a loss of self-control of their emotions and mental behavior. Panic attacks can occur a few times in a lifetime but if this is a disorder and keeps happening to a patient randomly and in high frequency, it is termed as a panic disorder.
In this condition, the patient might lose all control over their body and mental health and fall into a frenzy of emotions not knowing how to regain control over their senses and self. Panic attacks might seem similar to anxiety attacks on one hand and heart attacks on the other. A patient needs to be clearly identified as a patient of heart issues, anxiety issues, or panic attacks.
This differentiation can help the patient and the caregivers to give the best possible assistance in times of requirement. Reaching out to a psychiatrist or a heart doctor from the best heart hospital in Bangalore can help the patients and their concerned family in eliminating and identifying the symptoms of a panic attack from those of heart attacks as they may look very similar.
Causes of Panic Attacks
There are many causes of panic attacks but there are no sure or clear answers as the causes could be one or a combination of many. Below are some of the common causes of panic attacks:
- Most people who experience panic attacks are genetic in nature and can be passed on from one generation to another, a history of panic attacks in the family can be a cause.
- The loss of a loved one or the impending loss of a severely sick relative can bring upon panic and cause panic attacks in patients.
- A history of physical abuse or sexual abuse in the past can bring upon episodes of panic attacks.
- Changes in the functioning of the brain and its behavior are either due to physical factors or due to the usage of mind-altering drugs.
- Major stress can cause episodes of panic attacks in patients.
- Being extremely prone or sensitive to negative thoughts, feelings or comments can bring about panic attacks in patients.
Symptoms of Panic Attack
Although very similar to heart attacks, these are some of the distinct symptoms of a panic attack:
- Increase in heart rate
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Pounding of the heart
- Sweating and shaking
- Cold chills or heat flashes
- Nausea
- Chest pain
- Dizziness and headache
- A feeling of no self-control, loss, or fear