Caffeine and Other Triggers of Panic Attacks – What You Can Do About Them

When it comes to treating panic attacks, everyone is different. Everyone experiences anxiety in varying degrees. It is believed that everyone experiences anxiety at least once in their lifetime. A panic attack, however, is a sudden episode of extreme fear which causes severe, often debilitating physical symptoms even when there is no apparent cause or threat. Many individuals have only one or even two panic attacks in their lives, and these episodes go away after a few stressful months, but for others, the condition continues and it can eventually lead to full-blown anxiety attacks.

Panic attacks are often mistaken for a heart attack because they share some similar symptoms, including shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. However, these symptoms are not the same. Panic disorders are actually very serious mental health disorders that can result in extreme symptoms and can often be confused with heart problems. Some of the common symptoms of panic attacks include depression, irritability, muscle tension, dizziness, hot flashes, chills, sweating, heart palpitations, a pounding heart, tingling or numbness in the hands, shortness of breath, fear of dying or losing control, stomach issues, diarrhea, cramps, a choking sensation, shaking or trembling, chocking sensitivity, nausea, dizziness, or chest pain. If any of these symptoms occur more than twice a week for 30 days or more, you should consult your physician.

These symptoms can also occur as the result of many drug and alcohol addictions. Anxiety disorders and panic attacks often begin in early adulthood. In fact, many people develop panic disorder or social anxiety disorder later in life after suffering from one or more of these symptoms for a significant amount of time. However, social anxiety disorder (SAD) typically develops in early adulthood and can last for a lifetime. Approximately 16% of the American population suffers from SAD on some level. SAD can significantly interfere with everyday activities including academic performance, work or school performance, relationships with friends and family, and can even lead to a diagnosis of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

Understanding when these symptoms occur and being able to recognize them, can help to prevent their development. When panic attacks occur, it is important to try and stay calm and breathing into the attack. By trying to remain calm, you can often reduce the severity of the symptoms and even shorten their duration.

Recognizing the symptoms of panic attacks and managing them can play a huge role in managing panic disorder. Once you are able to recognize the symptoms occurring, it is important to find a way to relieve the stress the symptoms are causing. Many times this can be done with the help of a loved one. It is important to remember that your loved one has likely been experiencing similar symptoms to what you are experiencing, however, it is much easier to talk to your loved one about their symptoms.

Caffeine and Medications: If you are someone who is experiencing panic attacks on a regular basis, you may be prescribed medication. This can range from basic over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, to more serious medications like Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. As always, it is important to discuss with your doctor which medications are right for you and your specific symptoms. As a general rule, stimulant medications are only prescribed for those who suffer from panic attacks on a fairly regular basis, where they are not a chronic problem. In most cases, people diagnosed with panic disorder are put on medication only upon an urgent basis.

Identifying triggers: When it comes to controlling panic attacks, identifying and avoiding common triggers, such as exercise, sunlight, extreme temperatures, traffic, going to unfamiliar locations, and other intense situations can go a long way to reducing the occurrence of these intense anxiety symptoms. For example, if you typically participate in exercise for a half hour or longer every day, it is important to limit your exposure to triggers, so that your body has less time to adjust to the new environment. Similarly, avoiding extreme temperatures on days when you normally experience anxiety symptoms can help you avoid triggering the panic attacks.

Therapy: Many find that cognitive behavioral therapy helps them manage panic attacks. This type of therapy teaches patients to recognize their feelings and rationalize their reactions before they begin to feel overwhelming negative emotions. Often, once these thoughts have occurred, there will be no need to seek immediate medical attention. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you realize that you are in control of your feelings and how you respond to those feelings, rather than letting them control you.

Ann Miller

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