$Unique_ID{BRK02466}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What Are Anxiety or Panic Attacks?}
$Subject{crazy fears life style anxiety attack panic psychiatric emotional
disorders depression mental condition conditions lifestyle lifestyles insane
insanity anxieties attacks psychological fear}
$Volume{E-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Are Anxiety or Panic Attacks?


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QUESTION:  I want to help my brother, but while he thinks he may be going
crazy, I know that his telephone calls to me are certainly driving me down
that path.  He lists all kinds of symptoms, the most severe being one on very
strong fears about himself and his life style.  Yet he claims his physician
has found nothing wrong with him.  I don't know what to advise him.  Can you
help me?

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ANSWER:  I'll try to give you some help, although we are both a bit in the
dark without more extensive information from the patient himself.  I must
believe that we are dealing with a form of anxiety attack, perhaps severe
enough and with enough symptoms to be classified as a "panic attack".  This
type of disorder is being seen with ever increasing frequency in medical
offices and may well be the most commonly recognized psychiatric problem.
They come on at random, are overpowering episodes of intense anxiety, and are
accompanied by a wide variety of other symptoms.  Patients may complain of
palpitations and trembling, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, dizzy spells,
and sweating, and frequently express their fear that they are going crazy.
While some symptoms may be seen during the actual attack, there are rarely any
signs available to the examining physician in between episodes.  For the most
part, laboratory tests will be normal, or will reveal other medical conditions
that have nothing to do with the emotional problem.  There is some correlation
between anxiety disorders and depression and they may be seen together in as
many as 50 percent of these patients.  The good news is that there are a
variety of treatments available and both behavioral treatments as well as
medications are effective.  Your problem may be in getting your brother to the
right doctor at the right time to obtain for him the benefits of treatment.
Try now to set up a plan that will bring him to his physician at the time of
an attack.  Alert his physician to the possibility of a panic disorder, if he
or she is not already aware of the situation.  Assure your brother that the
physician will be understanding, for if your brother fears rejection because
of his (undefined) life style, he may avoid medical care.  You can do much to
help, by providing the bridge that obtains the very needed care for your
brother.  And don't delay.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.