{"id":20694,"date":"2023-07-08T09:36:07","date_gmt":"2023-07-08T14:36:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20694"},"modified":"2023-09-08T09:54:38","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T14:54:38","slug":"panic-attack-self-help-guide-resources-and-techniques-for-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/panic-attack-self-help-guide-resources-and-techniques-for-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Panic Attack Self-Help Guide: Resources and Techniques for Support"},"content":{"rendered":"

A panic attack is a sudden and intense surge of fear or anxiety that can feel paralyzing or even life-threatening. Sometimes mistaken for a heart attack due to sensations like racing heartbeat, dizziness or shortness of breath, <\/span>a panic attack may occur without warning<\/span><\/a> or without any clear trigger \u2014 making the experience all the more terrifying and confusing.<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news about panic attacks is that the episodes are short-lived, and even though they can recur unexpectedly, there are ways of managing these feelings of panic and the underlying anxiety that can cause them. Learning to recognize the signs of a panic attack, identifying possible triggers, becoming familiar with coping mechanisms and seeking outside support are all components of a successful strategy for overcoming panic attacks.<\/span><\/p>\n

How common are panic attacks?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is no specific data on the prevalence of panic attacks, but sources suggest that <\/span>up to 35% of people have at least one panic attack<\/span><\/a> at some point in their lives. This means that panic attacks are quite common, even if not everyone experiences them. A rarer but potentially serious condition called panic disorder \u2014 characterized by chronic anxiety and frequent panic attacks \u2014 is <\/span>thought to affect nearly 5% of adults in the United States<\/span><\/a> at some time in their lives. This makes panic and anxiety disorder one of the <\/span>most common mental health conditions<\/span><\/a> among the population.<\/span><\/p>\n

For these reasons, it is vital to understand that if you or someone you know has ever had a panic attack, you are not alone, and a wealth of resources are available to help manage the threat of attacks and continued anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reasons you may experience a panic attack for the first time<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is a first time for everything, so you may suddenly find yourself experiencing a panic attack, even with no history of panic disorder or any serious anxiety. Panic attacks can happen to anyone and in response to a variety of situations, including:<\/span><\/p>\n