Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by recurrent panic attacks. Panic attacks (or anxiety attacks), are more than just generally worry, they are accompanied by symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness or breath, dizziness etc.

Panic or anxiety attacks, when left untreated can lead to impairment of daily functioning and other problems. With the correct treatment you can reduce your symptoms and regain control of your life.

Understanding Panic Disorder

Roughly 3 million Americans experience panic disorder sometime in their life, with twice as many women as men experiencing this anxiety disorder.

Since the intensity of the anxiety attack is very high, people feel that they are going to have a heart attack and going to die or lose control in some way. This can lead to fears of being alone and not being able to get help when another attack comes.

Signs and Symptoms of Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder and Other Conditions

When treating anxiety attacks it is important to distinguish this anxiety disorders from other anxiety disorders that have panic attacks. Panic disorder has un-cued panic attacks, however other anxiety disorders tend to have panic attacks that are cued - such as social phobia (panic attack is cued by the social situation), generalized anxiety disorder (panic attack is cued by excessive worry), obsessive compulsive disorder (panic attack is cued by thoughts of exposure etc).

Treatment Options

There are essentially two treatment options available to you if you have this anxiety disorder: cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medication.

Cognitive behavioral therapy involves psycho-education, in which the patient learns about panic disorder and the general treatment plan. The patient will typically monitor their panic attacks and record the types of situations that activate these anxiety attacks.

In CBT a trained therapist will typically target the individual's cognition and behavior. The cognitive therapy part helps people to change their thinking patterns that support their fears while the behavioral component helps people to change the way they behave towards stimuli that is anxiety-provoking.

For example, an individual in therapy will learn that their panic attacks are not actually heart attacks

The therapist may then teach some breathing techniques to relax the individual and combat some of the physical sensations of the panic attack.

Typically the patient will also lean how to re-interpret the physical sensations, rather than thinking of them as catastrophic they will re-frame these thoughts to more realistic thoughts. The therapist will also gradually expose the patient to increasing anxiety provoking stimuli, and help the patient to build confidence in these situations.

Medical Treatment Options

Medical treatments may also be incorporated for panic disorder with patients given antidepressants, benzodiazepines and other types of medications that treat this anxiety disorder.

For those who suffer from panic or anxiety attacks the chance of recovery is high. With early detection and the reduced chances of complications (such as anticipatory worry, avoidance, and agoraphobia) this anxiety disorder can be controlled and you can experience a return to normal activities.

If you consider yourself to suffer from panic attacks please visit your medical professional and seek advice. These pages are for information purposes only.

Self help tips for anxiety attacks

Increase your education around anxiety attacks. Reading around anxiety and panic attacks the sensations that you may be experiencing can be helpful and reduce the feeling that you are going crazy.

Avoid stimulants. A panic attack occurs when the fight or flight response is activated, with no imminent danger. Stimulants such as excess caffeine or chronic stress can activate the fight or flight response.

Practice relaxation strategies. Practicing relaxation promotes the relaxation response. Activating the relaxation response is the opposite of the stress response that is activated in an anxiety attack.

Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, diagrammatic breathing exercises, yoga or various meditation techniques can give you a greater sense of self-control over your anxiety and promote relaxation and well being.

This site is for information purposes only and is no substitute for treatment. Please see your local medical expert or mental health professional for advice.

References

National Institute for Mental HealthDSM - IV

Click here to return from panic disorder to what is anxiety

Click here to return to the stress management homepage