Panic attacks are periods of intense fear or discomfort that arise suddenly and unexpectedly and in the absence of any apparent external danger or threat. They may seem thus to happen for no reason but they are actually fear of fear. The panic is a reaction to a physical sensation in the body, connected to being afraid, to which the person has become sensitized.

Attacks can be unpredictable and frightening, but they are not generally harmful or dangerous. An attack can arise quickly and usually last for between 5 to 20 minutes, although this may vary. People are usually more prone to panic attacks if they have depression or anxiety, asthma or diabetes, are taking stimulants (such as amphetamine or caffeine) or withdrawing from tranquillisers.

Panic Attacks can be linked to Agoraphobia. This is described as a fear of open spaces and it is considered to be one of the most common phobias. People suffering from agoraphobia feel unsafe while outdoors and they may worry that unless they go home or retreat to a place where they feel safe will have a panic attack or experience other distressing or embarrassing symptoms such as dizziness, feeling sick, losing bladder or bowel control, or collapsing in public.  Discover more about agoraphobia, panic attacks, their symptoms and how to prevent them by following the links below.

References

Panic Attacks, by Sally Burningham in 4Health Mind: www.channel4.com/health/microsites/0-9/4health/mind/wwr_panic.html
Mind Troubleshooters, in Mind – Information and Advice: www.mind.org.uk/help/medical_and_alternative_care/mind_troubleshooters_panic_attacks

Find out More and Seek Help

OCD Action: Aberdeen Centre, 22-24 Highbury Grove, London N5 2EA. Information Line: 0845 390 6232 (you can leave a message here asking for leaflets to be sent to you), Office: 0870 360 6232, E-mail: info@ocdaction.org.uk, Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk
Offers advice and support for people experiencing obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders such as body dysmorphic disorder, compulsive skin picking and trichotillomania. Also provides information for carers and interested professionals. Can provide details of local support groups.

OCD-UK: PO Box 8955, Nottingham NG10 9AU. Tel: 0870 126 9506 (24 hours), E-mail: admin@ocduk.org, Website: www.ocduk.org
Charity run by sufferers of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder for all people who are affected by OCD. Aims to advance awareness, provide support and information, and improve the quality of life of those with OCD. Website has information about treatment, self-help, local support groups and discussion forums.

Anxiety Care: Cardinal Heenan Centre, 326 High Road, Ilford IG1 1QP. Helpline: 020 8478 3400 (Wed 10am-3pm), Telephone: 020 8262 8891, E-mail: enquiries@anxietycare.org.uk, Website: www.anxietycare.org.uk
Anxiety Care is a registered charity based in East London that specialises in helping people to recover from anxiety disorder and to maintain that recovery.

Websites

KidsHealth: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: www.kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/learning_problem/ocd_p2.html
Just for kids site that covers the problems and fears surrounding OCD really well.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Children and Adolescents: http://psychology.iop.kcl.ac.uk/ocdkids
Children of all ages can be affected by OCD. This website provides more information about OCD in children and adolescents and also contains advice for parents and health professionals.

OCD Information for Kids Under 10: http://psychology.iop.kcl.ac.uk/ocdkids/patients/Under-tens.aspx
Webpage full of helpful info presented alongside fun graphics especially for the under tens.

Things you need to know about OCD: Information for Young People: http://ocdyouth.iop.kcl.ac.uk

A website written by and for young people with OCD, giving information on the disorder and its treatments.

Further Readings

Anxiety, Phobias and Panic Attacks
Your questions answered by Elaine Sheehan (Vega Books, 2002) Information and advice on types of anxiety, treatments available, including self-help strategies, and what to expect.

Living with Fear
by Isaac Marks (McGraw-Hill Education, 2005) A self-help guide that offers practical advice to those suffering from phobias, panic, obsessions, anxiety and distress.

The Agoraphobia Workbook
by C Alec Pollard and Elke Zuercher-White (Harbinger, 2003) A comprehensive program to end the fear of symptom attacks.

The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook
by Edmund J Bourne (Fine Communications, 1998) Practical and comprehensive guide offering help to anyone who is struggling with panic attacks, agoraphobia or other anxiety disorders.

In Stillness Conquer Fear: Overcoming anxiety, panic attacks and agoraphobia
by Pauline McKinnon (Newleaf, 2000) Fourth edition of this best selling book, in which the author describes how she found the answer to overcoming her own experience of agoraphobia by using a unique form of meditation. This is the record of her journey of discovery.

Fast Facts: Anxiety, panic and phobias
by Malcolm Lader and Thomas Uhde (Health Press, May 2006) This clinical guide looks at generalised anxiety, panic disorder, phobic disorders and related conditions, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The authors also outline the various psychological and medical treatments available and end the text by looking to the future and what it may hold for sufferers and those who treat them.

Overcoming Panic
by Derrick Silove and Vijaya Manicavasagar (Constable Robinson, 1997) A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques to help overcome panic attacks and associated agoraphobia.

Understanding Phobias
by Fiona Hill (Mind, 2002) This booklet outlines the different types of phobia, and gives advice on how to
live with a phobia and find help if you are a sufferer. The booklet can be viewed on the website, viewed as a pdf file or purchased from the Mind Shop.
www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Understanding/Understanding+phobias.htm