What is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is classified as an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and unforeseen episodes of panic attacks. These attacks are brief instances of panic or distress that can be at their worst within a matter of minutes. The main symptoms of panic attacks include rapid heartbeat, breathlessness and faintness.
Panic, which differs from ordinary anxiety, can significantly affect one's daily functioning, as the person constantly worries about subsequent attacks or avoids situations which might provoke them. If not addressed, it tends to disrupt working and daily living.
Causes of Panic Disorder
Even though science has not yet determined what causes panic disorder, several patterns have been identified. Some of these include the following.
1. Genetic Predisposition
Panic disorder can be due to genetic factors. There is also a possibility of facing a greater risk if you have close relatives with like disorders, caused probably by some hereditary genes.
2. Brain Chemistry Imbalance
Anxiety and panic disorders can be ascribed to irregularity in the level of some brain chemicals, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters dictate mood regulation, and a soy-based hormone that interferes with them will trigger panic attacks.
3. Environmental Stressors
Major life changes such as grief, marital breakdown or loss of employment may cause panic attacks. There is also an implication that high levels of stress may lead to the development of panic disorder.
4. Personality Traits
It is estimated that certain factors like stress sensitivity personality, negative thinking or negative affectivity predispose individuals to develop a panic disorder. Poor self-esteem and low self-confidence will also contribute to the worsening of the anxiety signs.
Symptoms of Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is primarily characterized by the occurrence of unforeseen panic attacks. These attacks typically reach their peak within minutes and can cause the following physical and psychological symptoms:
Physical Symptoms:
Folks experience heart palpitations, or a fast heartbeat – a sign that many associate with heart attack.
Sweating or chills
Breathlessness,shortness of breath, or hyperpnoea
Chest pain
Feeling dizzy or faint.
Nausea or upset stomach
Muscular aches or joint pains
Psychological Symptoms
Intense fear of dying. persisting for more than one week; being present in more than one context; having a marked disturbance in the perception of reality; including depersonalization, derealization, marked distress or impairment in functioning are some of the physchological symptoms characterizing panic disorder.
These symptoms can be so severe that patients undergoing panic disorder are convinced that they need emergency medical attention. Nevertheless, the panic attack is not potentially fatal as it would probably seem from the above descriptions, but it is highly uncomfortable.
Treatment for Panic Disorder
Thankfully, panic disorder is a curable illness, and through proper treatment, most patients can live a normal life. Psychotherapy, medication, and changes in a patient's behaviour are most commonly used to treat the condition.
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT has been indicated to be the most suitable form of psychotherapy for the treatment of panic disorder. The emphasis here is placed on restructuring maladaptive cognitive processes contributing to the occurrence of panic attacks. In CBT, therefore, people are taken through the process of learning how they can be able to overcome these panic symptoms by getting exposed to them in a natural but controlled manner.
2. Medications
Medications are commonly prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of panic disorder:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): These type of antidepressants aids in regulating serotonin levels, which decreases anxiety and also stifles panic attacks.
Benzodiazepines: These specific anti-anxiety medications or 'benzos' (such as Xanax or Valium) can help work during an inceptive panic attack but are not intended to be used for more than several weeks because of the danger of dependence.
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): These medications have a similar functioning as the SSRIs and are useful for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders.
3. Lifestyle Adjustments
In addition to formal treatment, individuals with panic disorder can benefit from lifestyle changes:
Regular exercise: A consistent routine of 30 minutes of exercise can lead to decreased anxiety levels and an uplifted mood.
Breathing exercises: Mastery of psychopharmacological methods for treating panic includes learning techniques for deep breathing, which assists in the reduction of the autonomic manifestations of the condition.
Mindfulness and meditation: It assists in preventing such attacks in the future while keeping a person's feet on the ground.
Tips for Dealing with Panic Disorder
Living with panic disorder can be challenging, but there are ways to cope and regain control over your life:
1. Educate Yourself
It must be noted that while panic attacks are uncomfortable, they are not dangerous, which should help people with the disorder work towards overcoming their fear surrounding these episodes. Nothing comes close to understanding the condition, and taking time to learn more about the disorder will help you feel less apprehensive the next time attacks occur.
2. Avoid Avoidance
It is especially important not to avoid situations that you relate to panic attacks because doing so makes the condition worse in the long run. However, seek the services of a therapist and get over such fears in a step-by-step process and in a safe environment.
3. Build a Support System
Supportive friends or family members or even support groups for panic disorder can offer much-needed encouragement.
4. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Minimizing the intake of coffee, alcohol, and sweets, getting enough sleep, and engaging in stress-reducing activities would go a long way toward improving mental health.
When Self-treatment Becomes Dangerous
If you have attacks that significantly interfere with your daily functioning or the occurrence of which makes you worry about future attacks, you should consult a healthcare provider. It is recommended to consult a therapist or psychiatrist and go over possible treatments to create the best course of action for you.
Key Signs You Need Help
Every day is filled with at least one or two panic attacks.
You stay away from certain places or situations because you do not want to have another panic attack.
You always think that you will have another panic attack again soon.
Your panic attacks are causing problems at work, in your relationships, or your overall quality of life.
Conclusion
Panic disorder is an actual disease, an illness that millions of people are suffering from worldwide. This is the first step towards successfully managing the disorder because you get to learn its causes, signs and possible treatments. Today, most of the patients are capable of recovering through an amalgamation of pharmacological and psychotherapy regimens together with healthy-minded lifestyles that reduce the impacts of panic attacks.
Nevertheless, for those people who have panic disorder or know somebody with this problem, it will be helpful to address it with a professional. By going for the right therapy sooner enough, one can easily manage the condition that affects them and get back control of their life.
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