Panic Attacks And Pregnancy

About Panic Attacks and Pregnancy

Panic attacks are defined as episodes of intense anxiety, or panic, that cause a variety of distressing physical and mental symptoms. Panic attacks affect more than one out of every seventy-five people, the majority of them female. Men aren't impervious to panic attacks or panic disorder, it's simply more uncommon for men to suffer from panic attacks than women.

Causes of panic attacks are as varied as the symptoms they cause. Genetics, external stressors, personal habits, and even medicines can cause panic attacks. Symptoms include rapid or irregular heartbeat, excessive sweating, stomach upset, shakiness, shortness of breath, extreme hot or cold, tingling extremities, and intense feeling of fear. A person experiencing a panic attack may think they're having a heart attack or going crazy. Because panic attacks don't discriminate, they can happen at one of the most crucial times in a woman's life -- pregnancy.

Sometimes, the chemical, hormonal and physical changes a woman undergoes during pregnancy lead to panic attacks. Other times, panic attacks occur when women become nervous about all the implications of motherhood. Often, it's a combination of these factors that ultimately leads to panic attacks during pregnancy.

Treating panic attacks during pregnancy is of course a little different than treating panic attacks in a non-pregnant individual. Pregnant women cannot safely ingest the level of medications that someone who is not pregnant can. While antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications known as benzodiazepines are often prescribed for panic attacks, this is often not an option during pregnancy.

Panic attacks during pregnancy are usually treated with a variety of safe methods such as dietary regulation, mild exercise, relaxation techniques and behavioral therapy. Women experiencing panic attacks during pregnancy can usually find relief with a combination of these therapies. Replacing toxic thoughts with healthy ones, eating properly, and exercising on a regular basis can all work together to reduce the severity and duration of panic attacks.

Pregnancy is a special time. It can be a time of great joy and anticipation, however it can also be an exhausting and stressful time. Carrying a child is challenging enough -- the last thing a mom-to-be needs is to experience the added stress and discomfort of panic attacks. If you're pregnant and suffering from panic attacks, see your doctor immediately and begin a treatment plan to alleviate your distress.