Panic Disorder

What is panic disorder?

Panic disorder belongs to anxiety disorders and involves repeated panic attacks. Panic attacks involve unexpected attacks of fear or uneasiness that last for several minutes and do not always result from clear causes. While panic attacks can be caused by stressors, panic disorder involves recurring attacks along with the fear of having additional attacks.

People experiencing panic disorder often have constant worries about future panic attacks. They may avoid places and situations where such attacks occurred before. These factors can affect people’s normal lives greatly.

Panic disorder can be observed among patients of all age groups. Nonetheless, this disorder tends to develop among young adults at the end of their teenage years and the beginning of their twenties. Panic disorder is difficult to treat, but there are ways to cope with it.

Symptoms of Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are considered the defining symptom of panic disorders. They are sudden attacks of anxiety and fear, which can be very scary at times. These attacks manifest themselves through physical and mental symptoms. Physical symptoms are described as follows:

• Fast heart rate or palpitations
• Pain in the chest area and feelings of suffocation
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating and feeling chills
• Shaking
• Feeling dizzy and light-headed
• Nausea
• Numbness and tingling sensations

Symptoms associated with the psychological aspect include the following:

• Fear or sensation of dread
• Derealization or detachment from the environment
• Depersonalization or detachment from oneself
• The fear of madness or insanity and the inability to deal with the situation
• The sensation that death is imminent

Panic attacks usually reach their height within 10 to 20 minutes, but their consequences can last for a more extended period, leading to fatigue. Due to the similarity of some of these symptoms to other diseases such as heart problems, patients usually seek medical care. It is important to mention that constant fear concerning the development of new attacks is a specific sign of panic disorder.

Causes & Triggers

Despite the fact that the specific causes of panic disorder have not been fully understood yet, it can be suggested that multiple factors lead to the onset of this illness.

• Biological factors: Problems with certain neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and serotonin, associated with regulation of stress responses might lead to the development of panic disorder. Increased activity of the amygdala causes misperception of non-threatening situations as being dangerous.
• Genetic factors: People whose family history includes any anxiety disorder might have increased chances to develop this disorder.
• Psychological factors: Sensitivity to stressful events, perfectionism, pessimism, low self-esteem, and difficulty coping with stress may be considered potential psychological triggers for panic disorder. Interpretation of bodily signals such as palpitations as signals of danger may cause a panic attack.
• External trigger: Life incidents such as traumas, loss of someone close, or changes may work as triggers. Stress could also be a factor for triggering a panic attack.
• Other factors: Coffee drinking, lack of sleep, or taking some kind of drugs may cause a panic attack. Normally, people have a panic attack suddenly.

Treatment Options

Panic disorder is very curable, and many people see great improvement with the right treatment. Treatment usually consists of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.

• Therapy: The psychological treatments are viewed as the most efficacious treatment options for panic disorder in the long term.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is viewed as the most efficacious treatment option for panic disorders. CBT helps patients recognize negative thoughts and belief systems that cause the condition. CBT also uses methods such as interoceptive exposure, which is aimed at exposing the patient to physiological triggers of panic in a controlled setting, which can help minimize their fear and anxiety.
• Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy helps people address their fears by being exposed to frightening situations or sensations.

Medication

When symptoms are more moderate to severe, a person might need to take some medications to control their symptoms.

• Antidepressant drugs (SSRI/SNRI): They are commonly prescribed to people in the long term. These medicines play an important role in controlling mood and anxiety by regulating brain chemicals.
• Benzodiazepines: Drugs such as Diazepam may be recommended to manage episodes of panic attacks. The medications help relax the patient, making them free from anxiety and distress.
• Points to note while on Benzodiazepine drugs: Benzodiazepines are usually prescribed for a brief period as they can lead to drug dependence if taken constantly. The drugs may make one drowsy and uncoordinated. Benzodiazepines are best taken only under medical guidance and are not prescribed to everyone.

When to Seek Help

Knowing when to ask for assistance is crucial in dealing with panic disorder. Often, people neglect treatment due to uncertainty about whether the problem is severe enough to warrant attention or because they feel capable of handling it independently.

Seeking help is advised in the following instances:

• When you suffer from frequent or unpredictable panic attacks
• When you are persistently afraid of future attacks
• If your panic symptoms affect your ability to carry out regular tasks
• If you find yourself starting to avoid places or events as a result of your anxiety
• When physical symptoms worry you or resemble those of a more serious illness

It is imperative that you see a doctor immediately in case your panic attacks involve excruciating chest pain or problems breathing, among other life-threatening symptoms.

Psychologists, psychiatrists, and general physicians all provide reliable diagnoses and treatment for your condition.

Conclusion

While panic disorders may appear scary and intimidating, the truth of the matter is that they are very manageable. Even though a person may experience intense sensations during panic attacks, they do not pose any danger or threat to one’s life. If addressed correctly through proper therapy and medication, if needed, a patient will be able to overcome his or her fears and learn how to handle symptoms properly.

Receiving treatment early on may bring about favorable results. Promptly recognising symptoms helps a patient realise what is happening with him or her and eliminate fear and insecurity in the process. It is much easier to avoid the progression of symptoms and address them in the beginning than deal with them later. Many people succeed in recovery with a combination of proper management and treatment.