Panic Attacks in Women

Women need to understand that panic disorder is a common condition. The person may feel uncomfortable, fear, anxiety. The attack may start unexpectedly. A person may go to bed feeling fine and wake up feeling that something is wrong.

The emotional trigger is not always present. It occurs more often in women 2:1 and hits as many as 5% of the population, or more than 1 100 000 people in the USA.

Causes


Low Estrogen . Studies reveal an association between panic attacks and a decreased level of estrogen. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, explains that when brain estrogen levels fall below the minimum requirement, brain center dysfunction may cause symptoms of anxiety.

Tyroiditis. An under-active thyroid condition called Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis (HAIT) causes a wide range of anxiety symptoms.

Genetics. Some people find that panic attacks run in their family. No one may go for help because it is a family thing.

Brain Damage. Concussions from abuse, accidents, or sports, and other brain problems can cause panic attacks. Sometimes there is no damage, the attack is caused because of the way the patent's brain functions.

High Sugar Diet. Eating foods high in refined sugar like candy, breads, pop, processed and fast foods.

Smoking. There have been several studies which show a link between smoking and an increased chance of suffering from panic attacks.

Stress. Some people only have panic attacks at times of sever stress, such as when a family member dies, a new baby arrives, they've made a major lifestyle change, or a divorce.

Inciting Incidences. Sexual and physical abuse, a traumatic experience like rape, or an accident can cause changes in the body resulting in panic attacks. These people are less likely to receive help because they feel it will be a temporary problem. If the abuse went on for many years, they may start to believe there is something wrong with them and that there is no help - both of these beliefs are false.

What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like

Many women suffer panic attacks silently, believing there is something wrong with them, but unwilling to get help. Many women may feel there is no help for them. Depending on the causes of this 'disorder' it can be treated. It is important to treat panic attacks as you would any disease of the body.

Panic attacks may hit more often in the winter for some people. Others only suffer panic attacks in the morning.

Problems may be mild. A jittery feeling, feelings that something is wrong, an unexplained sadness, or the fear that you are going to die. The levels of intensity rang from mild to overwhelming and include heart palpitations, nausea, diarrhea, shaking, dizziness, out of body experience, tingling feelings, and hot flashes.

Signs and symptoms may include:
Rapid heart rate
Sweating
Trembling
Shortness of breath and hyperventilation
Chills
Hot flashes
Nausea
Abdominal cramping
Chest pain
Headache
Dizziness
Faintness
Tightness in your throat
Trouble swallowing
A sense of impending death
(list source: http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00338.html )

Good News

Treatment for panic attacks is 90% successful. Treatment may include counseling to control the body's responses and train the body to 'not react' or include medicine to control symptoms.

One study found that panic attack patients had higher pH (alkaline) levels than control patients (7.0 versus 5.5).

A panic attack is a type of chronic anxiety disorder. According to the Mayo Clinic, they are no longer seen as the symptoms of someone with weak nerves or who cannot handle stress, but a medical disorder.