Panic Attack Research Paper

In the article “Panic Attacks” from Sciencedaily.com, a panic attack is described as a sudden feeling of extreme fear or distress. There are a number of reasons why panic attacks occur. Panic attacks are usually triggered by exposure to a phobia. For example, someone with arachnophobia could have a panic attack upon sight of a spider. They can also be triggered by nicotine or caffeine. The symptoms of panic attacks include increased heart rate, dizziness, feeling of choking, and chills or hot flashes. Symptoms usually only last 10 minutes, although they may last longer. They are typically hereditary, but some people who have no family history still develop panic disorder. Panic disorder is a disorder associated with frequent panic attacks.
Though it is often a purely terrifying feeling to the sufferer, panic attacks are actually an evolutionary body response often known as the fight-or-flight response.
Symptoms may include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain (or chest tightness), sweating, nausea, dizziness (or slight vertigo), hyperventilation, paresthesias (tingling sensations), vomiting, and sensations of choking or smothering.
During a panic attack, the body typically releases large amounts of adrenaline into the bloodstream.
Many first time sufferers of a panic attack believe they are dying or going insane.
It is a feeling that cannot be described until one has had an attack.
Many often say panic attacks are one of the most frightening experiences in their lives.
Repeated and apparently unprovoked panic attacks may be a sign of panic disorder, but panic attacks are associated with other anxiety disorders as well.
For example, people who suffer from phobias may experience panic attacks upon exposure to certain