Panic Disorder

What is Panic Disorder? 

• Mental health condition that causes repeated episodes of intense fear that something bad is going to happen. This fear can lead to physical symptoms, such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness. These symptoms can be so severe that they can interfere with your ability to go about your daily life.
• Panic disorder is a relatively common condition. Affects about 2 percent of the population in the United States. The illness usually develops during early adulthood, although it can begin at any age. More common in women than men. PD is often called “panic attacks.” Panic attacks are sudden and unexpected intense feelings of fear. 
• They can feel so intense that you might feel like you’re about to faint or lose control of yourself. In addition, the fear often lasts for more than a few minutes. Fear may be so severe that it interferes with your ability to go about your daily life. PD is a relatively common condition. It affects about 2 percent of the population in the United States. The illness usually develops during early adulthood, although it can begin at any age. 

What are signs of panic disorder?

1. Pounding or racing heart
2. Sweating
3. Chills
4. Trembling
5. Difficulty breathing
6. Weakness or dizziness
7. Tingly or numb hands
8. Chest pain

Is panic disorder a mental illness?

As with other mental illnesses, PD is believed to be caused by both chemical imbalances in the brain and genetic predisposition. Panic disorder can afflict people after age 18, irrespective of race or gender. Researchers are also examining environmental triggers.

Can panic disorder be cured?

The truth is that panic disorder can never be entirely cured. However, it can be effectively managed to the point that it no longer significantly impairs your life. One reason why there is no permanent cure is that panic disorder varies greatly from person to person.

What triggers panic attacks?

Triggers for panic attacks can include over breathing, long periods of stress, activities. That lead to intense physical reactions (for example exercise, excessive coffee drinking) and physical changes occurring after illness or a sudden change of environment.

What causes panic disorders?

As with many mental health conditions, the exact cause of panic disorder is not fully understood. But it’s thought to be linked to a combination of things, including: a traumatic or very stressful life experience, such as bereavement. having a close family member with panic disorder.

Causes of Panic Disorder 

• PD (Panic Disorder) is a mental health condition that causes repeated episodes of intense fear that something bad will happen. Panic disorder can cause many physical and emotional symptoms, such as chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, and feelings of unreality. 
• Many people with panic disorder also have agoraphobia, which is a fear of being in places where escape might be difficult or help unavailable in the event of a panic attack. The cause of panic disorder is unknown, but there are likely many factors involved. 

Symptoms of Panic Disorder 

• PD is a mental health disorder that is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden periods of intense fear that can include symptoms such as accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling, and feeling short of breath. 
• For people with panic disorder, these attacks can be extremely disruptive and may significantly impair their quality of life. The good news is that there are a number of effective treatments for panic disorder, including medication and therapy. 
• If you or someone you know are experiencing symptoms of panic disorder, consider seeking immediate help. If you think that your panic attacks might be a symptom of another mental health condition, talk to your doctor. 

How is panic disorder diagnosed?

Diagnostic Criteria

According to the DSM-5, to receive a diagnosis of PD, a person must be experiencing recurrent unexpected panic attacks. These attacks typically occur out-of-the-blue and involve a combination of physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms.

Is panic disorder worse than anxiety?

Panic attacks are rarer and more severe than anxiety. They can come out of the blue, without warning or provocation. People having panic attacks can experience shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, and numbness.

Treatment for Panic Disorder 

Panic disorder is a mental health condition that causes episodes of intense fear that can feel like a heart attack or other life-threatening illness. Many people with panic disorder also have agoraphobia, which is the fear of being in places where escape might be difficult or help unavailable in the event of a panic attack. Treatment for PD often includes medications, therapy, and self-care strategies. 

Most effective treatment for panic disorder?

• Psychotherapy also called talk therapy, is considered an effective first choice treatment for panic attacks and PD. 
• It can help you understand panic attacks and PD and learn how to cope with them.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants are equally effective in the treatment of PD. 
• The choice of medication is based on side effect profiles and patient preferences. Strong evidence supports the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy in treating PD.

Causes Panic Disorder? 

• Panic disorder is a mental disorder characterized by sudden and repeated attacks of intense fear that something bad is going to happen, accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress. 
• It can be very debilitating, preventing people from doing things they enjoy or participating in normal activities. The cause of PD is unknown, but it is thought to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. 
• Scientists have identified certain biological markers that are found in people with PD and are being examined further to understand the nature of this condition. 

Panic attack? 

A panic attack is a sudden rush of fear and anxiety that can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, and dizziness. For some people, a panic attack can feel like they’re having a heart attack or even dying. 

While panic attacks are not physically harmful, they can be very frightening and disabling. Panic attacks can sometimes be triggered by physical illnesses, but they are more often caused by psychological factors.

What do panic attacks feel like?

A panic attack is a feeling of sudden and intense anxiety. Panic attacks can also have physical symptoms, including shaking, feeling disorientated, nausea, rapid, irregular heartbeats, dry mouth, breathlessness, sweating and dizziness. The symptoms of a panic attack are not dangerous, but can be very frightening.

Is panic disorder a form of depression?

The symptoms of PD and depression are distinct, but when both are experienced simultaneously they reinforce and amplify each other to produce more intense and troubling effects.

What is the prognosis for Panic Disorder? 

• The prognosis for PD can be difficult to predict because it is a complex mental health disorder. Some people may experience a few isolated panic attacks and never have another one, while others may have long-term, debilitating symptoms. 
• There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but research has shown that with proper treatment, most people with PD can achieve remission and live relatively normal lives. 
• Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Anxiety is a normal response to stress and other internal and external stimuli. However, anxiety can become a problem when it:
• Is difficult to control: Anxiety is rarely a one-time event, it typically occurs repeatedly over time.
• Overexerts you, causing you to lose sleep or have other symptoms of anxiety. 

Is panic disorder lifelong?

Treatment can help you manage your triggers and the symptoms of your PD. While a panic disorder can be a lifelong problem, most people who receive treatment and follow their doctor’s advice improve and are able to lessen their symptoms over time.

What happens if panic attacks are left untreated?

Left untreated, PD can become a very debilitating and isolating illness. It can also increase your risk of developing other mental health conditions, such as agoraphobia or other phobias.

Why do panic attacks happen at night?

However, we do know that the brain doesn’t ‘switch off’ during sleep, so it’s possible for any pent-up worries or anxieties to manifest in our unconscious brains, causing a nocturnal panic attack. Also, struggling with daytime panic attacks makes it more likely that you will experience panic attacks at night.

What is a mental breakdown?

Instead, a mental health crisis or a breakdown of your mental health is a situation that happens when you have intense physical and emotional stress, have difficulty coping and aren’t able to function effectively. It’s the feeling of being physically, mentally and emotionally overwhelmed by the stress of life.

How can Panic Disorder be prevented? 

1. PD is a mental disorder characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks. Attacks are sudden periods of intense fear that may include feelings of shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness, or abdominal distress. 
2. Many people with PD also have agoraphobia, which is a fear of being in places where escape or help would be difficult in the event of a panic attack. While the cause of PD is unknown, there are ways to prevent it from developing. 
3. Because panic attacks are a symptom of another underlying disorder, it is important to see your doctor and get treatment for the condition that you are having the attack. PD is thought to have a psychobiological conceptualization (Craske & Barlow, 2007). This does not mean that panic attacks are due to a biological disease. 

How can you stop panic attacks forever?

1. Seek counseling
2. Take medications
3. Use deep breathing
4. Recognize that you’re having a panic attack
5. Close your eyes
6. Practice mindfulness
7. Find a focus object
8. Use muscle relaxation techniques

Do panic attacks go away with age?

PD was consistently less severe in older patients across multiple domains, and a later age at onset was associated with less distress due to body sensations, cognitions, and emotions during panic attacks.

Is panic disorder Serious?

They aren’t dangerous, but they can get worse without treatment. Also keep in mind that symptoms of a panic attack are similar to those for more serious conditions. If you are not sure if what you are having is a panic attack, call your doctor, just to be safe.

Can you live a normal life with panic disorder?

If you fear having a panic attack in public or while driving, you might avoid going out. In time, you could end up pulling back from your usual activities, including working and spending time with loved ones. PD is very manageable, though you don’t have to live in fear of these attacks.