Experiences characterized by a discrete period of intense fear with at least four additional somatic or cognitive symptoms including: palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, feelings of choking, chest pain, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness, depersonalization, derealization, fear of going crazy, fear of dying, tactile sensations (paresthesias), and chills or hot flashes.
As with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and anxiety attacks, panic attacks have been argued to be a natural outgrowth from the ritualistic, perfectionist characteristics of Asperger's.
The Condition"...[1] Psychiatric specialists from the University of Göttingen in Germany recently reported results from a new study that found levels of the adrenal stress hormone cortisol surging in the beginning phase of a panic attack..."
sudden unprovoked experiences of impending doom, fear of dying, losing control. Physical symptoms are palpitations, dizziness, trembling, nausea, shortness of breath.
The Condition"...Researchers had twenty-five patients with panic disorder collect multiple saliva samples over a two-hour period while in the grips of a panic attack..."
a panic attack is the result of a high peak of anxiety. Experienced as intense terror or overwhelming fear that comes upon a person expectedly. These attacks are related to our instinctive and primal 'fight or flight' mechanism. In a 'fight or flight' response the body begins to react to the perceived or real threat by arming the body ready for attack. With panic attacks, the threat is perceived and not real.
The Condition"...What happens during a panic attack? The physiologic factors involved stem around arousal of the autonomic nervous system in the manner of a 'fight or flight' response to fearful inner impulses and emotions..."
Sudden, repeated, paralyzing bouts of extreme fear and anxiety.
The sudden onset of intense apprehension, fear, terror, and impending doom. Studies show that these individuals are very short on Chromium; also, there is a good chance of Hypoglycemia.* ? Chromium - 1 tsp. before each meal * See "Diabetes - Hypoglycemia" protocol.
The Condition"...[1] Panic attacks are often associated with physical symptoms such as shaking, a feeling your heart is pounding or racing, sweating, chest pain, shortness of breath, a feeling of choking, nausea, cramping, diarrhea, dizziness, an out-of-body sensation (a feeling of being apart from oneself), tingling in the hands, chills or hot flashes, and headache..."
Panic attacks are highly associated with copper toxicity. Zinc deficiency due to copper excess may contribute to this problem.
The Condition"...Additional support for an overly acidic system, apart from breathing, comes from the fact that in people with chronic anxiety unrelated to life events, an injection of sodium lactate can trigger a panic attack..." Recommendation Alkalizing Agents/Diet"For people with chronic anxiety unrelated to life events, injection of an acid such as sodium lactate can trigger a panic attack..."
The Condition"...Eating a lot of foods high in refined sugar increases blood lactate levels and may induce panic in susceptible persons..." Relationship to Excess Sugar Consumption"Eating a lot of foods high in refined sugar increases blood lactate levels and may induce panic in susceptible persons..." Recommendation Sugars Avoidance / Reduction"Eating a lot of foods high in refined sugar increases blood lactate levels and may induce panic in susceptible individuals..." Recommendation Alkalizing Agents/Diet"For people with chronic anxiety unrelated to life events, injection of an acid such as sodium lactate can trigger a panic attack..."
The Condition"...It was found that panic attack patients had significantly higher pH ( alkaline) levels than controls (7..."
The Condition"... Thyroiditis..." Relationship to Chronic Thyroiditis"Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis has been associated with a range of anxiety symptoms including panic attack..." Recommendation Test Thyroid Function"Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis has been associated with a range of anxiety symptoms including panic attack..."
severe anxiety accompanied by physical symptoms