ER doctor sees panic attack symptoms almost daily

By Chris Jones

Published: October 30, 2007

Sudden chest pain, tingling and a sense of impending doom are symptoms that send people to emergency rooms daily.

Is it a heart attack or a stroke? Or could it be panic?

Mark Lipe, emergency room physician at Mercy Health Center for 17 years, said when a person comes to the ER and complains of abrupt symptoms that mimic a heart problem, the first step is to make sure there isn't a serious medical problem. It's important for the physician to know what medicine the patient is taking, Lipe said.

Lipe said a broad range of people visit the ER with panic-attack symptoms. Victims of panic attacks are usually referred to their physician.

Valium, Ativan, Lorizipan, and Xanax are medicines prescribed for panic disorder. The medicine, often combined with counseling, may help patients live a happier, calmer life free of panic attacks.

Lipe said patients vary in their response to the diagnosis.

"Some patients are more open-minded about the diagnosis; others are offended,” Lipe said. "With true panic disorder, there is not a clear trigger. They come out of the blue.”

If someone is convinced they are having a heart attack and then they learn it is a panic attack, he or she may not want to accept it.

Sandra Tedder, a counseling psychologist in Norman, said it's important for people to know panic attacks are treatable.

"When people have a panic attack, they feel very out of control,” Tedder said. "Panic attacks are a strange phenomenon because they are self-perpetuating, in that worrying about a panic attack can initiate a panic attack. It feeds on itself. It can happen in theaters, elevators, sporting events, noisy crowds or while standing in line.”

She said until people find out what is happening, it is normal to think it is a heart attack. Tedder said once panic attack is identified, it can be treated.

"These are smart individuals, and they know the fear they are experiencing has no basis or logic,” Tedder said. "Teaching people to relax is part of the treatment. I know this disorder is treatable, and I have seen many of my patients do amazing things. People who were unable to work or attend social affairs, even family gatherings, now function with ease in these settings.”

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