What is Panic Attack/Panic Disorder - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
What is Panic Attack or Panic Disorder?
When there is no real risk present, a panic attack is defined as a sudden, acute feeling of fright, fear, or apprehension. The symptoms of a panic attack, which can occur suddenly and be extremely frightening and uncomfortable, include palpitations, sweating, chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, trembling, disorientation, numbness, confusion, and a sense of impending doom or losing control. The duration of symptoms might range from seconds to hours, although they often peak within ten minutes of the time they first appear and remain for around 30 minutes. Panic attacks themselves are not physically harmful, despite how terrifying and upsetting they can be.
Numerous people just experience one or two panic attacks in their lives, and the issue usually disappears when a stressful circumstance is over. However, if you've experienced frequent, unplanned panic attacks and have spent a significant amount of time living in constant terror of an attack, you may be suffering from a disease known as panic disorder. Despite the fact that panic attacks don't pose a life-threatening threat in and of themselves, they can be frightful and have a profound impact on your quality of life. Treatment, however, can be highly successful.
When there is no real risk present, a panic attack is defined as a sudden, acute feeling of fright, fear, or apprehension. The symptoms of a panic attack, which can occur suddenly and be extremely frightening and uncomfortable, include palpitations, sweating, chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, trembling, disorientation, numbness, confusion, and a sense of impending doom or losing control. The duration of symptoms might range from seconds to hours, although they often peak within ten minutes of the time they first appear and remain for around 30 minutes. Panic attacks themselves are not physically harmful, despite how terrifying and upsetting they can be.
Numerous people just experience one or two panic attacks in their lives, and the issue usually disappears when a stressful circumstance is over. However, if you've experienced frequent, unplanned panic attacks and have spent a significant amount of time living in constant terror of an attack, you may be suffering from a disease known as panic disorder. Despite the fact that panic attacks don't pose a life-threatening threat in and of themselves, they can be frightful and have a profound impact on your quality of life. Treatment, however, can be highly successful.
What are the Symptoms of a Panic Attack or Panic Disorder?
Intense, unwarranted panic attacks frequently start. When you're in a car, in the mall, fast asleep, in the middle of a business meeting, or even just out of the blue, they can happen to you at any time. Panic attacks could happen infrequently or regularly for you. There are many different types of panic attacks, but they often peak in a matter of minutes. After a panic attack, you could experience weariness and exhaustion. Some of the symptoms or indicators of panic attacks often include:
Intense, unwarranted panic attacks frequently start. When you're in a car, in the mall, fast asleep, in the middle of a business meeting, or even just out of the blue, they can happen to you at any time. Panic attacks could happen infrequently or regularly for you. There are many different types of panic attacks, but they often peak in a matter of minutes. After a panic attack, you could experience weariness and exhaustion. Some of the symptoms or indicators of panic attacks often include:
- Fear of impending disaster or peril
- Fear of dying or losing control
- Quick, thumping heartbeat
- Sweating
- Shaking or trembling
- Breathing difficulties or throat discomfort
- Chills
- Warm flashes
- Nausea
- Cramps in the stomach
- An ache in the chest
- Headache
- Feeling faint, lightheaded, or woozy
- Having a numb or tingly feeling
- The sensation of detachment or disassociation
What are the Causes of Panic Disorder or Panic Attack?
Although the exact cause of panic episodes or panic disorder is unknown, the following factors might be involved:
Although the exact cause of panic episodes or panic disorder is unknown, the following factors might be involved:
- Genetics
- Life stress
- Major stress Sensitivity to stress or propensity for unpleasant feelings
- Various modifications to how certain brain regions work
- At initially, panic attacks may strike unexpectedly and without notice, but over time, they are typically brought on by particular circumstances.
What are the Risk Factors and Complications Associated with Panic Disorder or Panic Attack?
Women are more likely than men to experience panic disorder symptoms, which frequently begin in late adolescence or early adulthood. Following are some elements that could raise your risk of acquiring panic disorder or panic attacks:
Women are more likely than men to experience panic disorder symptoms, which frequently begin in late adolescence or early adulthood. Following are some elements that could raise your risk of acquiring panic disorder or panic attacks:
- Family history of panic disorder or panic episodes
- Major life stressors include a loved one's passing or critical sickness
- Traumatizing circumstances, including sexual assault or a severe accident
- The addition of a baby or a divorce is both significant life adjustment.
- Excessive coffee consumption or smoking
- Past physical or sexual abuse throughout childhood
- The following are complications that panic attacks may lead to or be associated with:
- emergence of certain phobias, such as a fear of driving or leaving one's house
- Frequent medical attention for medical disorders and health issues
- Avoiding social situations
- Issues at work or school
- Other psychiatric disorders include depression, anxiety, and others
- Increased likelihood of suicide or suicidal thoughts
- Abuse of drugs or alcohol
- Financial difficulties
Panic Attack or Panic Disorder: Diagnosis
There may be another condition, such as heart or thyroid problems, that causes symptoms similar to panic attacks. You will need to be evaluated by your primary care provider to make sure you have or do not have panic attacks or a panic disorder. You may have the following symptoms to help pinpoint a diagnosis:
There may be another condition, such as heart or thyroid problems, that causes symptoms similar to panic attacks. You will need to be evaluated by your primary care provider to make sure you have or do not have panic attacks or a panic disorder. You may have the following symptoms to help pinpoint a diagnosis:
- Physical examination
- Tests on your thyroid and heart, such as electrocardiograms (ECGs), for thyroid conditions and other possible conditions.
- In this psychological evaluation, you discuss your symptoms, fears, family background, stressful situations, relationship issues, and situations you may be avoiding.
- Take a psychological self-assessment or questionnaire. Also, you may be asked about your use of alcohol or other substances.
Panic Attack or Panic Disorder: Treatment
Treatment can lessen the severity and frequency of your panic episodes and enhance your ability to function in daily life. Psychotherapy and medicine are the two basic types of treatment. Depending on your preferences, your background, the severity of your panic disorder, and whether you have access to therapists with specialized training in treating panic disorders, one or both types of treatment may be advised.
Treatment can lessen the severity and frequency of your panic episodes and enhance your ability to function in daily life. Psychotherapy and medicine are the two basic types of treatment. Depending on your preferences, your background, the severity of your panic disorder, and whether you have access to therapists with specialized training in treating panic disorders, one or both types of treatment may be advised.
How to Prevent Panic Disorder or How to Stop Panic Attack?
In addition, there are actions you can do if you're experiencing a panic attack or suspect that you might. You can try the following useful techniques:
Mindfulness: Grounding oneself and increasing your awareness of current bodily events are necessary for this.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: You can learn how to trigger a relaxation reaction when you're anxious or stressed by routinely practicing this, which entails tensing and then relaxing muscles throughout your body.
Visualization: This involves focusing on a thought that makes you feel calm and peaceful; visualizing this image might assist in eliciting a relaxation response to counteract your fearful feelings.
In addition, there are actions you can do if you're experiencing a panic attack or suspect that you might. You can try the following useful techniques:
- If you are experiencing panic attacks, seek therapy as soon as you can to prevent them from growing worse or happening more frequently.
- To assist prevent relapses or the symptoms of a panic attack getting worse, adhere to your treatment plan.
- Engage in regular exercise because it may help to reduce anxiety.
Mindfulness: Grounding oneself and increasing your awareness of current bodily events are necessary for this.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: You can learn how to trigger a relaxation reaction when you're anxious or stressed by routinely practicing this, which entails tensing and then relaxing muscles throughout your body.
Visualization: This involves focusing on a thought that makes you feel calm and peaceful; visualizing this image might assist in eliciting a relaxation response to counteract your fearful feelings.
- Even while it may seem frightening at the time, it can be helpful to keep in mind that these feelings will pass and do no bodily harm.
- Frequently, sounds and sights can make a panic attack worse. If at all feasible, look for a more peaceful location. It might include leaving a crowded space or stooping to lean against a nearby wall.
- By engaging the senses, supporting the person's feeling of balance, and providing them with something to concentrate on, a calming aroma can help reduce anxiety. A popular traditional treatment that promotes relaxation and calmness is lavender. According to numerous research, lavender helps reduce anxiety.
- Other stimuli can be diminished by concentrating on one. When examining the object, the person may want to think about its texture, manufacturer, and shape. This approach can help decrease the signs of a panic attack.
- A mantra is a word, phrase, or sound that boosts mental clarity and stamina. An individual can recover from a panic attack by mentally repeating a mantra.
- Tension in the muscles is another sign of panic episodes. Using muscle relaxation techniques can perhaps help contain an attack.
- Close your eyes and visualize being in this location before an assault starts to aid. Imagine the peace and quiet there. The idea of bare feet feeling soft rugs, warm sand, or cool earth is also possible.
- Numerous factors, such as cramped areas, throngs of people, or financial difficulties, can frequently bring on panic attacks in a person. People may be able to lessen the frequency and severity of panic attacks by discovering ways to control or avoid their triggers.
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