Eulalee ThompsonA sudden onset of a feeling of unbearable apprehension or fear accompanied by a choking or smothering sensation, tingling in the hands and feet, sweating and faintness might be indications of a panic attack.
Dr. Wendell Abel, psychiatrist, explained that when a client is experiencing a panic attack, he might even feel a crawling sensation on the top of the head, a racing heart rate, a sense of being detached from himself and his environment and he might become so overwhelmed by the feelings of apprehension and the other symptoms that he becomes fearful of dying or becoming crazy.
Recurrent panic attacks, unexpected panic attack and a constant concern by the patient that he will have another attack, is referred to as panic disorder. The panic disorder, which can be chronic and debilitating, therefore surrounds this intense and constant worry and about having another attack after experiencing the last one. This disorder is listed amongst the anxiety disorders which Dr. Abel said is affecting many Jamaicans who are currently experiencing various life and socio-economic stresses.
The causes of panic disorder has not been clearly defined but there are several theories such as the effect of stress, socio-economic conditions or
adverse life events on mental health. Psychologists Sarason and Sarason (1999) say that panic attacks might be triggered by presence of particular stimuli or just thinking about them. These patients have phobic fears attached to the stimuli.
Dr. Abel said also that an attack might be triggered on hearing about the death or serious illness of a loved one. He also pointed to other perspectives on causation such as the psychodynamic perspective in psychology/psychiatry that associates panic attacks and the disorder with some psychic trauma or unresolved mental conflicts perhaps in childhood.
"Though it will be difficult, when one is having a panic attack, one should try to relax, meditate and use positive affirmations. We know this is difficult because a lot of times the patient experiencing a panic attack will, in addition to the attack, feel that they are getting a heart attack and get into a panic about this," Dr. Abel said.
The condition, he said is usually treated with the antianxiolytic medications. Tranquillisers, however, may be addictive so he said that these drugs would be prescribed cautiously.
Dr. Abel said that if there are unresolved conflicts, the patient might also have to go through psychotherapy for a while. He also said that lifestyle changes will assist the management of the condition such as sleeping and eating well, exercising regularly and deep breathing.
Symptoms of a panic attack include:
a choking or smothering sensation
dizziness or faintness
racing heart rate
chest pain or discomfort
tingling
fear of dying or going crazy
feeling separated from oneself and one's surrounding.
