Panic Disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by sudden, recurring panic attacks accompanied by discernible behavioral change for a month of constant worry about the implications of having other attacks. Persons suffering from Panic Disorder undergo periods of intense fear combined by physical symptoms including heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, or abdominal distress. During these panic attacks, people may feel chilled and their hands may feel numb and sometimes they may also experience nausea. Panic disorder usually creates a sense of unreality, fear of losing control or a fear of approaching doom.
Causes of Panic Disorder
There are several causes that lead to people suffering from panic disorders. It said that in several cases this condition can be hereditary and is known to run in families. Alcoholism has also been cited as one of the many causes of panic disorder. Some biological factors causing panic disorder include life transitions, stressful life events and environment among other causes.
Symptoms of Panic Disorder
People suffering from Panic Disorder typically experience a series of extreme phases of panic attacks, which usually last up to10 minutes, but can sometimes lasts for 1 to 5 minutes.
However, panic attacks can increase or decrease for a long hours with one attack rolling into another. The intensity of the attacks may vary and specific symptoms of panic over period may include rapid heartbeat, dizziness, trembling, psychological experience of uncontrollable fear etc.
The external symptoms of panic disorder frequently cause negative social experiences such as social stigma, embarrassment, or social isolation. However, many sufferers of panic disorder may often have extreme panic attacks without any or little visible manifestations.
Treatment of Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is a real sickness, which can be effectively treated with proper therapy and certain medications. Many people suffering from such disorders benefit immensely from joining self-help or support group and by sharing their troubles and achievements with others. At present the treatment recommended by the American Medical Association and American Psychiatric Association is a combination of medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy. In certain cases of Panic Disorder medication is not absolutely required for treatment as it is a psychological condition.
Mental health professionals who usually assist an individual in treatment of panic disorder are psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health counselors as well as social workers. There are several drugs prescribed by medical professionals in controlling panic attacks. These include Antidepressants such as SNRI's, SSRIs, Nassa MAOIs and others. Anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines are also taken by people suffering from panic disorder.
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