According to the American Psychological Association, one in every 75 people suffer from panic disorder, and women are twice as likely as men to experience panic attacks. Symptoms of a panic attack include sudden bouts of terror, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, hot flashes and fear of another attack.
Thyroid Disorder and Women
Tachycardia, or rapid heart rate, can be a cause and a symptom of panic attack in women. Women are more inclined than men to suffer from hyperthyroidism, which can cause tachycardia.
PMS and PMDD
The symptoms of PMDD include that of PMS, along with extreme anxiety that may manifest in a full blown panic attack. Women with PMDD are treated medically with hormone therapy.
Menopause and Panic Attacks
Menopause causes a myriad of symptoms that can cause or mimic a panic attack: hot flashes, extreme anxiety, unfounded fears, and an overall sensation that something is going wrong inside of your body.
Pregnancy
A woman who usually experiences panic attacks may find that they become more manageable and even disappear during pregnancy. If your panic is exacerbated by your pregnancy, consider taking a SSRI medication.
Environmental Causes
Women are more likely than men to become a victim of violent crime during their lifetime, which can result in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The chief symptom of PTSD in women is panic attack.
Tags: panic attack, extreme anxiety, heart rate, rapid heart, rapid heart rate