What is a Panic Attack?

Panic attacks, which affect roughly one-third of Americans, and perhaps many more who are simply unaware that they are even suffering from panic attacks, involve a period of intense, often overwhelming and irrational, fear of distress that are usually associated with other fears.  Lasting for roughly thirty minutes or so, and occasionally much shorter or longer, there are several primary symptoms associated with the panic attacks.  For example, those who have experienced them generally state that there is a brief onset of trembling, followed by a shortness of breath.  These are considered the minor symptoms, although for those who experience a heavier, longer panic attacks, symptoms can and usually are much more severe.  Ranging from heart palpitations to hyperventilation to choking or smothering, panic attacks can cause an individual severe pain and can have lasting consequences. 

There is a general consensus among the medical community that panic attacks stem from other phobias, or fears, which in turn triggers a panic attack upon exposure to these fears.  If a person suffers from acrophobia, or fear of heights, for instance, upon flying in an airplane, this phobia may be triggered, causing the person to enter a panicked state and, hence, have a panic attack.  During a panic attack, the "flight vs. fight" reaction comes into play and the person experiencing the attack suddenly has an overwhelming desire to leave the situation they are currently in.  Moreover, chest pains or restricted breathing often accompanies this "flight vs. fight" reaction and this, potentially leading to feelings of impending doom, frequently spurs the sufferer to seek medical attention.
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