People who struggle with panic episodes often wonder: can you pass out from a panic attack? These short but intense episodes can be scary and aren’t always immediately apparent as a panic attack. If you or someone you know deals with episodes of intense fear and anxiety, they may be struggling with panic attacks. However, they may have a different health issue that shares some symptoms. Perhaps the scariest part of a panic attack is the sensation of losing control. Panic attacks feel like a severe threat in the moment, and it’s not uncommon to feel like you’ll pass out. Is it possible to lose consciousness from a panic attack? Can they really harm you? Let’s talk about what a panic attack is, its symptoms, and potential related health concerns.
What Is a Panic Attack?
Panic attacks are the physical result of overwhelming fear and anxiety. These feelings don’t always escalate into a panic attack, but it is possible. Because panic attacks combine your mental and physical responses into one connected incident, they feel severe and dangerous in the moment. Truthfully, having a panic attack is uncomfortable and also has risks and dangers associated. The reason behind panic attacks is a flooding of stress hormones in the brain, including cortisol and adrenaline. Thus, panic attacks are related to mental health conditions that have symptoms of anxiety. These include anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder. It’s also possible to have co-occurring disorders and experience panic attacks.
Notably, panic attacks aren’t rare occurrences. A great many people experience panic attacks around the world and in the United States. An estimated 11 percent of people in the U.S. will have a panic attack at some point. In many cases, individuals will experience a few panic attacks throughout their lifetime in moments of heightened stress. Yet, some people have recurring and frequent episodes, even to the point of disrupting their lives. In this case, the panic attacks show a deeper issue, which could be panic disorder.
Can You Pass Out from a Panic Attack?
One reason why panic attacks are so distressing is because they can strike without warning at any time. You might experience tunnel vision and the feeling you’ll black out because you can’t get enough air. If you’re driving, at work, with friends, or in another inconvenient situation, this adds another level of stress. But is it possible to actually pass out from a panic attack, or does it just feel that way?
It is possible to faint due to a panic attack, yet it usually feels like more of a threat than it needs to. Passing out from a panic attack is rare. Most likely, an individual would pass out because they’re hyperventilating and not getting enough breath into their lungs.
Why Panic Attacks Make You Feeling Like Passing Out
As mentioned, passing out during a panic attack is really rare. However, one major symptom of panic attacks is the feeling and belief that you’ll faint. This certainly heightens stress and anxiety because the idea of fainting is frightening. What happens is your breathing pattern changes when you’re in the midst of a panic attack. You might find it challenging to breathe normally and exhale more than you inhale. As a result, you don’t get enough oxygen into your central nervous system. Thus, you might feel dizzy, lightheaded, weak, and unstable on your feet.
Can You Die from a Panic Attack?
Panic attacks are frightening and alarming. They aren’t too commonly discussed, and as a result, people may not know what a panic attack looks or feels like. In connection, the first time a person experiences a panic episode, the fear of their symptoms adds stress to the whole situation and makes it worse. Notably, having a panic attack can make a person wonder if they are going to die. But in reality, can you die from a panic attack?
The answer is no, it is not possible to die from a panic episode. Your symptoms will be uncomfortable and alarming, but they aren’t life-threatening. Often, a panic attack may feel like a heart attack, but rest assured that you will be ok. In the moment, it’s important to remind yourself you aren’t in any danger.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Panic Attack?
There are many common signs and symptoms of a panic attack that can alert you you’re having an episode. You may experience some or all of these symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Disorientation
- Feelings of danger
- Rapid heartbeat
- Chills
- Nausea
- Headache
- Sweating
- Trouble breathing (hyperventilation)
- Lightheadedness
- Shaking
- Limb tingling
- Dizziness
- Ringing in your ears
- Shortness of breath
Panic Attack vs Heart Attack
Although the above symptoms may feel like a heart attack, are they actually close to the experience of a heart attack? There are certainly some overlapping symptoms between a panic attack and a heart attack. For example, chest pain, lightheadedness, nausea, rapid heart rate, and anxiety are shared symptoms. However, the big difference between a heart attack vs. a panic attack is the reason triggering it. Panic attacks are physical symptoms of intense mental stress, but the root cause doesn’t signal danger. On the other hand, heart attacks are caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart and can be life-threatening.
What Causes Panic Attacks?
Panic attacks are the result of having excess stress hormones triggered in the brain. It is fairly common to experience a panic attack at some point in your life, whether mild or more intense. However, if you experience frequent panic attacks, it could be indicative of panic disorder, which is a mental disorder. This condition is an anxiety disorder that has symptoms of panic attacks that occur seemingly without a cause or trigger. It’s believed between 2 and 3 percent of people in the United States have panic disorder.
What Causes Panic Disorder?
The exact cause of panic disorder isn’t known, and most likely, the condition is rooted in a variety of factors. For one thing, anxiety disorders like panic disorder are connected to family history and genetics. Individuals are 2 to 3 times more likely to have an anxiety disorder if their parent does. Also, panic disorder may be linked to childhood trauma. Unfortunately, having panic attacks can worsen your panic disorder. Eventually, a person might have so much anxiety over experiencing another panic attack that it worsens their condition. It may seem like there’s no relief or solution when it comes to panic attacks and panic disorder, but they can be treated.
How Is Panic Disorder Diagnosed?
You will be able to get a diagnosis of panic disorder or another mental health condition from a mental health provider. The first step is making an appointment to speak about your symptoms. Also, you can receive a medical diagnosis for your panic disorder at Royal Life Centers. We will connect you with one of our mental health counselors to discuss your condition.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Panic Disorder?
One of the main symptoms of panic disorder is panic attacks. Further, other related symptoms of the disorder can include:
- Ongoing and regular anxiety
- Fear of being out of control
- Feelings of dread and danger
- Avoidant behaviors
You may experience panic attack hangovers, which refer to the exhaustion, aches, pains, and upset stomach you might feel afterwards.
How to Deal with a Panic Attack When They Happen
In the moment of having a panic attack, it can be difficult to remain calm and levelheaded. However, it’s important that you do, as remaining calm can help shorten your panic episode and reduce the symptoms. Undeniably, escalating anxiety in the moment only worsens a panic attack. Familiarize yourself with how to deal with a panic attack in advance so you’re equipped to help yourself get through it when it happens.
If you feel a panic attack coming, and while it’s happening, focus on taking deep breaths in and out. Focus on something manageable, like your breathing. Remind yourself you are not in any danger, and it’s unlikely that you will pass out. If you’re able to, drink some water and take a seat.
Further, to help prevent panic attacks from happening, find healthy ways to manage your stress and anxiety. Sticking with a regular routine can really help individuals find balance. Ensure your routine includes exercise, relaxation, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep at night. Notably, if you want to avoid certain places or hobbies for fear of triggering a panic attack, try not to restrict yourself. You might find yourself in the cycle of being afraid of your fear. This only worsens your anxiety and places limits on your freedom.
How Is Panic Disorder Treated?
Be aware that panic disorder can be treated, managed, and improved! The first step is receiving an official diagnosis so you understand your condition. Next, treatment for panic disorder should involve therapy that targets both your mind and body. At Royal Life Centers, our programming combines traditional psychotherapy with holistic therapy. As a result, our guests achieve whole-body healing that improves their bodies, minds, and spirits. Treatment at a professional recovery center like Royal Life Centers is the most effective way to overcome your disorder. We equip our guests to manage their symptoms by teaching them tools and skills to use to avoid feeling triggered. Yet, we also prepare them with what to do when they are triggered.
Evidence-based Psychotherapy for Panic Disorder
Evidence-based psychotherapy is the traditional therapy and counseling approach to mental illness. Typically, behavioral therapy is an effective treatment method for panic disorder because it has its roots in anxiety disorders. We offer various psychotherapy techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and exposure therapy.
Holistic Treatment for Panic Disorder
Holistic therapies treat the mind, body, and spirit consecutively, making them ideal for a condition like panic disorder. Understandably, panic attacks and anxiety symptoms have a great toll on both the body and mind. All of our guests participate in holistic treatment at Royal Life Centers.
Medication for Panic Disorder
We also provide a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program for those who benefit from medication for their disorder. Panic disorder and panic attacks can be managed with medicine, including anti-anxiety meds and antidepressants. Your therapist will work with you to ensure the right dosage and medication and to prevent prescription abuse.
The Dangers of Benzodiazepines
Unfortunately, it is possible to develop an addiction to certain prescription medications if used outside of a prescription. For example, benzodiazepines, a common medication for anxiety disorders, can be highly addictive when abused. Entering our MAT program ensures safety around medication use to prevent the risk of drug misuse and addiction.
Find Professional Treatment for Panic Disorder
If you have recurring panic attacks due to panic disorder, you likely live in a state of fear and anxiety. There’s no reason to continue living that way. We can help you manage your symptoms and overcome your anxiety disorder through a proven mixture of therapy and counseling. Additionally, our medication-assisted treatment program will connect you to medication that can help alleviate your panic attacks. Please reach out to our admissions at Royal Life Centers to discuss entering treatment.
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