Your heart starts pounding.  Your stomach churns and your chest feels tight. You’re sweating yet shivering and overwhelmed by a sense of doom. You start to wonder if you’re losing your sanity and possibly even your life.

You’re swimming in an anxiety attack. And you don’t know how to get out.

According to the Mayo Clinic’s, an anxiety attack, “is a sudden episode of intense fear that develops for no apparent reason and that triggers severe physical reactions. You might think you’re losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.”

Anxiety attacks can appear at any age in children or in the elderly and are experienced by women more often than men. An attack usually surfaces quickly and without warning. Although the duration of an attack can vary, symptoms are usually at their worst within 10 minutes. Attacks can last 30-60 minutes. Often, one feels physically and emotionally drained once the attack is over.

The theory behind anxiety attacks is that the body’s natural “alarm system”, can sometimes be triggered unnecessarily. Scientists are still puzzled as to why this happens as well as why some people get attacks while others don’t.

Although the disorder runs in families, some people without a family history of a panic disorder can still develop one. According to an article on Medicine Net, “Often, the first attacks are triggered by physical illnesses, major life stresses or perhaps medications that increase activity in the part of the brain involved in fear reactions.”

Scientist are finding that for many, the past unknowingly haunts them.

Bill Kuntz, M.S., LCSW a Licensed Psychologist / Professional Life Coach in St. Louis says, “Anxiety is often caused by stress and a lack of balance in life.” He goes on to add: “Often anxiety attacks are a symptom of deeper issues. Often a history of abuse or unresolved issues from our childhood will break into our consciousness in the form of panic.  Repressed or suppressed memories may only first be re-experienced as raw feelings such as fear or hyper-vigilance.” 

Whether it is you suffering from attacks or a loved one, there is help. The first step is learning about the disorder, symptoms and triggers. Both parties need to gain a greater understanding of what’s going on and to set aside some time to talk about the issue in a calm, productive way.

Stay tuned for part two where we’ll talk about how to combat attacks and how a loved one can support a sufferer.

Thanks to Dr. Bill Kuntz, a psychologist who specializes in anxiety. He can be found at New Beginnings Counseling, P.C. at 6500 Marquette Avenue St. Louis, MO 63139. He can be reached at 314-647-4695 or go to his site found HERE.