There’s many reasons to panic right now, but it’s a little different from panic disorder.
Panic disorder is a debilitating condition, and in this post, we’ll explain more about it.
But first, to know what panic disorder it, you need to know what panic attacks are.
What is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a short, yet severe episode of intense fear and dread.
Many people who will have them know what they are. You feel like you’re in danger, about to lose control, or about to die. Your hands may sweat, your heart may beat fast, your chest tightens, or you may experience other symptoms.
Panic attack symptoms are comparable to a heart attack, although panic attacks aren’t deadly. Quite often, someone who has a panic attack may go to the emergency room, only to be told they’re fine.
Panic attack symptoms are similar to what we experience when we have fight or flight symptoms. You feel like you’re in danger, and you need to decide if you want to fight the danger or run away. However, panic attacks tend to happen when there is no danger.
What Causes a Panic Attack?
The exact cause is unknown.
It can be situational. For example, a panic attack can be due to stress or other life events coming to you all at once. However, panic attacks are also known for happening when someone is living a normal life and in a situation where they should be happy.
There are various factors that may cause someone to develop panic attacks. These include:
- Excessive caffeine
- A major change to your life. It doesn’t have to be stressful, either. Getting married can cause it.
- However, it can be due to a major negative change as well, such as the death of a loved one
- A traumatic event in your childhood
- And other events
Of course, it can happen to a healthy person with no trauma whatsoever. Panic attacks do not discriminate whatsoever.
Most people experience panic attacks on occasion. However, if you have frequent panic attacks or keep dreading the next one, you may have panic disorder.
We should also mention that women are more likely than men to have panic attacks, and panic attacks tend to happen in teenhood or early adulthood.
So, What is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is when someone is always worrying about the next panic attack.
Someone who develops panic disorder may have had several panic attacks in a row, and they are worrying about the next big one.
Even if someone knows that panic attacks aren’t deadly, the symptoms may grow worse, and the person may believe they are about to die soon.
Panic disorder can affect one’s life harshly. Consequences can include:
- Avoiding places that you may associate with a panic attack. For example, if you had a panic attack at the gym, you may avoid gyms.
- Going to the hospital constantly. It can cause you to acquire massive debt.
- You may have difficulties abusing alcohol or other substances as a way to calm yourself down.
- You may develop other disorders such as depression, anxiety, or thoughts of suicide.
- It may be difficult for you to live your life without having help.
- Panic disorder can lead to you developing phobias as well.
- If left untreated, the panic attacks you experience can become worse over time.
How Do I Treat it?
Panic attacks are unpredictable, but there are some ways to reduce your chances.
Some doctors may prescribe anti-anxiety medications to calm you down and reduce your chances of developing panic attacks.
However, treating panic disorder tends to involve the person making changes to their routine.
Exercising may help to reduce a panic attack, along with healthy living.
Practicing mindfulness and learning to live in the moment can also help.
A therapist teaching you techniques to calm yourself down and think rationally when you are having a panic attack can also help.
When a therapist does help you develop a treatment plan, it’s important that you stick to it. It may not work instantly, and many people will drop it because of that. However, this is not something you should do. Stick to your treatment plan long enough and you should see results.
If you are not seeing results after a couple of weeks, talking to your therapist or doctor and seeing if there’s a new approach can be helpful. Don’t give up.
Seek Help
If you or a loved one are having multiple panic attacks, getting treatment before the symptoms grow worse is important.
One way to seek help is to get a diagnosis. Visit Mind Diagnostics for more information by clicking the link below:
https://www.mind-diagnostics.org/blog/panic-disorder
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