Understanding Panic Attacks

What are panic attacks?

According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, a panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks typically begin suddenly, without warning. Although panic attacks themselves aren't life-threatening, they can be frightening and significantly affect your quality of life. One of the worst things about panic attacks is the intense fear that you'll have another one.

Some common symptoms:

Sense of impending doom or danger
Fear of loss of control or death
Rapid, pounding heart rate
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Shortness of breath or tightness in your throat
Chills
Hot flashes
Nausea
Abdominal cramping
Chest pain
Headache
Dizziness, lightheadedness or faintness
Numbness or tingling sensation
Feeling of unreality or detachment

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It’s estimated that 2-3% of Americans experience panic disorder in a given year and it is twice as common in women than in men. Panic disorder usually begins in adulthood (after age 20), but children can also have panic disorder and many children experience panic-like symptoms (Anxiety & Depression Association of America).

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Managing Panic Attacks

Binaural Beats

Binaural beats are claimed to induce the same mental state associated with a meditation practice, but much more quickly. In effect, binaural beats are said to:

reduce anxiety
increase focus and concentration
lower stress
increase relaxation
foster positive moods
promote creativity
help manage pain

Binaural beats between 1 and 30 Hz are alleged to create the same brainwave pattern that one would experience during meditation. When you listen to a sound with a certain frequency, your brain waves will synchronize with that frequency. The theory is that binaural beats can help create the frequency needed for your brain to create the same waves commonly experienced during a meditation practice. The use of binaural beats in this way is sometimes called brainwave entrainment technology (HealthLine). Learn more.

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Meditations

Meditation is the practice of calming the mind and tuning down the number of random thoughts that pass through it. A regular meditation practice has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, slow down the rate of brain aging and memory loss, promote emotional health, and lengthen attention span. Practicing meditation regularly can be quite difficult, so people have looked to technology for help (Heartfullness.org). Learn more.