Panic Disorder
People
with panic disorder have recurrent, unexpected panic attacks.
What are panic attacks?
According to the American Psychiatric Association (1994), a panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort and consists of 4 or more of the symptoms listed below. Panic attacks have an abrupt onset and the symptoms peak within 10 minutes.
What are the symptoms of a panic attack?
Panic symptoms include:
- palpitations
- sweating
- trembling or shaking
- shortness of breath
- choking sensations
- chest pain or discomfort
- nausea
- dizziness
- feeling detached from oneself
- fear of losing control or dying
- numbness or tingling
- chills or hot flushes
Some people with panic disorder will have recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. Other people may find that their panic attacks almost always occur when they are confronting or anticipating particular things or situations . However, another group of panic sufferers find that although they are more likely to have panic attacks in certain situations it does not always happen, that is they have 'good days' and 'bad days'.(American Psychiatric Association, 1994).
Why am I having panic attacks?
Research has found that there is a genetic contribution to the development of panic disorder. For instance if your mother or father has panic disorder you have a greater chance of developing panic disorder than people whose parents do not have the condition. Psychological factors and stressful life events are thought to contribute to the onset of panic disorder. Often the first panic attack someone experiences is triggered by physical illness, major stress, or is a side effect of certain medications.
However, sometimes people experience panic attacks because they have a medical condition. Health problems which can cause panic attacks include: hyperthyroidism, inner ear complaints, and heart conditions. Therefore if you are experiencing panic attacks you should consult a doctor to rule out the possibility that your panic attacks are due to a general medical condition, and not panic disorder.
Some people will experience panic attacks because they have been using: cocaine, amphetamines, cannabis, caffeine, alcohol or barbiturates. If the panic attacks persist long after the effects or intoxication or withdrawal have ceased, the person may have panic disorder.
Sometimes people have panic attacks because they have another anxiety disorder such as: social anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder. People with social anxiety may have panic attacks when in feared social situations (e.g.public speaking, job interviews, meeting new people), people with post traumatic stress disorder may have panic attacks when something reminds them of their traumatic event. Obsessive compulsive disorder sufferers may experience panic attacks when exposed to the object of an obsession(e.g. exposure to blood for someone with an obsession about catching AIDS). People with body dysmorphic disorder may have panic attacks when they think someone is looking at them.
What effect can panic attacks have on my life?
Given that panic attacks cause intense fear or discomfort, and people may fear they are going to die, lose control, go insane, or have a heart attack, they can end up worrying about having further panic attacks and therefore start avoiding situations which they think might trigger a panic attack. For example, if someone has their first panic attack in a supermarket they might be apprehensive about going into a supermarket again and start avoiding shopping. People might also avoid: standing in queues, being in crowds, travelling across bridges or though tunnels, driving on freeways, travelling on trains, trams, buses, planes and even leaving their home alone, for fear of triggering a panic attack.
Some people find that their panic attacks are limited to fear social scenarios such as : job interviews, public speaking, participating in meetings, dating, dealing with authority figures and/or meeting new people and start avoiding these social interactions, for fear of triggering a panic attack, to the detriment of their careers and/or personal life.
Experiencing panic attacks can lead to people not going to school, university or work and if this persists they may withdraw from study or end up unemployed.
How can I deal with panic attacks?
The psychological treatment of panic disorder encompasses: information and education about anxiety, relaxation and slow breathing training, cognitive therapy and exposure therapy, as well as relapse prevention. Assertiveness training may also be given if required. People who experience panic attacks because they have other anxiety disorders such as social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder and post traumatic disorder need to seek treatment for their primary complaint.
People who smoke cigarettes or use cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates and cannabis are advised to cease these substances.
People who drink an excessive amount of caffeinated beverages such as : coffee, energy drinks and cola are advised to limit their consumption of these drinks as they can trigger panic attacks.
American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.
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