PANIC DISORDERS (PD)

PD is an acute intense attack of anxiety accompanied by feelings of impending doom is known as panic disorder. The anxiety is characterized by discrete periods of intense fear that can vary from several attacks for one day to only a few attacks during a year. Patients with panic disorder present with several comorbid conditions, most commonly agoraphobia, which refers to a fear of or anxiety regarding places from which escape might be difficult.

Physical symptoms such as palpitations and sweating are common during such attacks, leading individuals to avoid situations that trigger them. 

What are the symptoms of panic disorder? Panic attacks often occur without warning, causing intense terror and an extreme sense of lack of control. During an attack, several of these symptoms occur in combination:

Palpitations, pounding heart or rapid heart rate

Sweating

Trembling or shaking

Feeling of shortness of breath or smothering sensations

Chest pain

Feeling dizzy, light-headed or faint

Feeling of choking

Numbness or tingling

Chills or hot flashes

Nausea or abdominal pains

Feeling detached

Fear of losing control

Fear of dying

Panic attacks often involve chest pain and shortness of breath. For this reason, many patients mistake a panic attack for a heart attack. However, most panic attacks subside within 30 minutes. Even a short panic attack can feel terrifying. 

What causes panic disorder? Researchers don’t yet understand why panic attacks occur without the presence of actual danger.

Some factors that increase the risk of panic attacks include - Genetics, stressful life events, certain personality characteristics, and brain chemistry. Some research indicates that the nervous system of patients with panic disorder may interpret harmless bodily sensations as dangerous threats. 

How is panic disorder treated? At Lifeway Mental Health, your plan of care may include counseling and the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This evidence-based technique helps you retrain your thinking and develop strategies to recognize that situations don’t present a threat of danger. Medications, including antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, can help control your panic symptoms. Call us and request an appointment online today.