Panic Ddisorders

Individuals with Panic Disorder regularly experience chronic intense episodes of anxiety, known as panic attacks. They worry about having more attacks, or about what the attacks imply might cause, and make changes to their behaviors because of the attacks.

These intense anxiety attacks consist of: shortness of breath; increased heart beat; trembling; dizziness; chest pain; sweating; hot flashes; headache; a feelings of unreality; tingling sensations; breathing faster than necessary; nausea; vertigo; lightheadedness; a burning sensations; choking sensations; fear of dying; a fear of insanity

Panic attacks begin suddenly and usually peak rapidly, within 10 minutes or less of starting. Multiple attacks with different intensities may occur within several hours. At first, panic attacks usually seem to appear suddenly but over time a person may come to expect them in certain situations. If a person begins to avoid these situations due to fear of a panic attack, they may also have agoraphobia.

Some people suffer panic attacks on a daily or weekly basis. The symptoms of a panic attack often result in social problems, such as embarrassment, stigma, or social isolation. However, people who have had these attacks for a long time are often able to restrain the signs of even very intense pain.

Panic Disorder is a serious mental health problem, but it can be successfully treated.  It often begins in young adulthood, about half the people who have Panic Disorder develop it before age 24. This is common if someone has been subjected to a traumatic experience. Women are a greater risk than men to develop Panic Disorder.

Panic Disorder can continue for months or years, depending on how and when treatment is started if left untreated, symptoms may become so severe that a person has significant problems with their personal relationships and jobs. Some people may experience several months or years of frequent symptoms, then remain symptom free for years. For others, symptoms persist at the same level indefinitely. There is some evidence that many people, particularly those whose symptoms begin at an early age, may naturally experience a partial or even complete reduction in symptoms after middle age.

The exact cause of Panic Disorder is not known, but like many other anxiety disorders, Panic Disorder runs in families, genetics may influence the determination of who will affected by it. Panic Disorder is often found in combination with other hereditary disorders such as bipolar disorder and alcoholism. Many people without a family history of Panic Disorder can develop it.

Other biological factors, stressful life events, and brooding about common bodily reactions are also may cause the onset of panic disorder. Often the first attacks are triggered by physical illnesses, major stressors, or medications. People with too many responsibilities may develop a tendency to suffer panic attacks. Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder also show a much higher rate of Panic Disorder than other people. Some researchers suggest that hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, mitral valve prolapsed, among other disorders may trigger or worsen Panic Disorder.

Panic disorder can be treated with therapy and medicines to help minimize or eliminate panic attacks and decrease the anxiety that accompanies the fear of future attacks.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on changing abnormal thinking and behavior patterns, is the most effective type of therapy for panic disorder.

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent other conditions linked with panic disorder, such as depression or substance abuse.