What Is Panic Disorder? An Extensive Synopsis

Have you ever gone through periods of severe anxiety and panic? You most likely had a panic episode. It may be a sign of a panic condition in certain situations.

A mental health illness known as panic disorder is characterized by sudden anxiety as well as various physical and psychological symptoms. It may cause extreme panic that manifests for no apparent reason.

Anxiety disorders ⁽¹⁾ may have an impact on your everyday life and overall health. To become more conscious of your condition, educate yourself about the signs, causes, and treatments of panic disorder.

Panic Disorder vs. Panic Attacks.

An immediate, distinct period of intense discomfort, worry, or dread accompanied by physical and mental symptoms is called a panic attack ⁽²⁾. Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks, often coupled with anxiety about future attacks or adjusting behavior to avoid possible triggers.

Panic attacks may result from any anxiety ⁽³⁾ disorder. A snake-phobic, for instance, would get very anxious just by looking at one. Anticipated panic episodes arise from encountering comparable troubling circumstances. Panic episodes that strike suddenly are ones that seem to have no reason ⁽⁴⁾ behind them.

The frequency of panic attacks

Panic disorder is a rather prevalent illness. According to data, 3.3 percent of men and 7% of women in the USA may go through periods of this illness throughout their lives. An estimated 4.7% of adult Americans experience panic disorder at some point in their lives.

The signs of a panic attack

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines a panic attack as exhibiting at least four of the following symptoms (a panic attack with less than four symptoms may be classified as a limited-symptom panic attack).

• An elevated pulse rate
• Trembling or swaying
• Perspiring
• A sensation of being choked or having trouble breathing
• A feeling of choking

Pain or discomfort in the chest ⁽⁵⁾

• Indigestion or heartburn
• Feeling faint and unsteady
• Depersonalization—a feeling of being disconnected from your body or a derealization.
• A fear of letting go
• The dread of passing away
• Experiencing numbness
• Sweating or burning sensations

Assessment of Panic Disorder

It’s not always the case that having panic attacks indicates ⁽⁶⁾ you have a panic condition. The DSM-5 includes the following standards for the diagnosis of this mental illness:

• You get frequent, unplanned panic episodes.
• Constant fear of having another panic attack for at least a month has followed at least one panic episode.
• Following a panic attack, there was a persistent worry of the worst outcomes, such as losing control, having a heart attack, “going crazy,” or changing one’s behavior noticeably by avoiding circumstances that you thought might trigger another panic attack.
• A fear of letting go

Meeting the DSM’s criteria for panic disorders is the main need for a diagnosis. Many psychological scales or tests, along with a physical examination, can confirm the diagnosis.

Panic Attack vs Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is the anxiety or terror of being in situations that you believe you cannot get out of. A person may develop agoraphobia if they have a panic episode in a certain location or environment.

In earlier DSM iterations, agoraphobia and panic disorders were associated. The DSM-5 has been updated to include agoraphobia as a distinct and codifiable disorder. It also stipulates that demonstrating avoidance behaviors is necessary for this type of diagnosis. These refer to concerns about running into tense or panicked situations where it might be difficult to get help or escape.
Why Do Panic Attacks Occur?

Although the precise cause of a panic disorder or attack is unclear, the following variables may be at play:

• Tension
• Genetics

The trait of having a sensitive personality to stress ⁽⁷⁾

• Current mental health issues such anxiety, PTSD, or sadness
• Insufficient self-worth

Why Do Panic Attacks Occur?

The following elements may be at play, even though the precise cause of panic attacks or panic disorder is unknown:

• Anxiety
• Genetics
• Being a personality trait that is sensitive to stress
• Modifications to the way your brain works
• Current mental health issues like anxiety, PTSD, or depression ⁽⁸⁾
• Low self-esteem ⁽⁹⁾

Panic Disorder Treatment

For the treatment of panic disorder, there are several therapy choices. The optimal course of therapy for a given patient is determined by a comprehensive examination conducted by the physician and a conversation with the patient.

Drugs

Your doctor may determine that medication ⁽¹⁰⁾ is a necessary component of your therapy to lessen the physical adverse effects of your attacks. It might be one of the first stages, for example.

They may recommend benzodiazepines, a kind of prescription anti-anxiety drug, or antidepressants, ⁽¹¹⁾ which are the first line of defense against recurrent panic episodes. Patients with substance use disorders may get extra medication prescriptions from doctors.

We often administer the following medications for panic attacks:

Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) are prescribed for brief periods of time.

• Citalopram (Celexa): an SSRI that is suitable for long-term usage.
• You can take sertraline ⁽¹²⁾, also known as Zoloft, as an SSRI indefinitely.Counseling

If you often have panic attacks, talking to a mental health professional about your anxiety could be helpful. If your fear of attacks restricts your activities, it’s crucial to seek professional help.

To address anxiety and any underlying issues, various treatments are available. For example:

• Cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) aims to improve comprehension of the behaviors and mental processes that could precede an attack. With CBT, a person may modify these patterns to help avoid attacks and decrease their severity.
• To help patients develop useful coping skills, exposure therapy is a sort of treatment that progressively exposes the patient to each of the physical symptoms of panic in a secure environment.
• Support groups may be helpful for some individuals in managing their panic episodes. One source of encouragement for you can be those who have started treating their anxiety. You may pick up tips or abilities that help you manage your illness.

Counseling

If you suffer from panic attacks on a regular basis, it might be helpful to discuss your anxiety with a mental health professional. Such discussion is particularly important if your fear of an attack limits your activities.

To treat anxiety and any underlying issues, various therapeutic approaches are available. For example:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) facilitates a deeper understanding of the behaviors and mental processes that may trigger an attack. Using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), an individual can modify these patterns to help prevent attacks and reduce their intensity.
• In order to teach the patient effective coping mechanisms, exposure therapy entails exposing them to each of the physical symptoms of panic in a safe environment over time.
• Joining support groups for the treatment of panic attacks may be helpful for some people. Those who have started treating their anxiety may serve as an inspiration to you. You may pick up tips or techniques that help you manage your illness.

How Can I Obtain Assistance?

Regular exercise and a well-balanced diet may help lower your chance of experiencing a panic attack. But without outside help, recovery from panic disorder may be difficult, if not impossible, once the symptoms have appeared. That’s why it’s so important that you or a loved one get therapy for panic anxiety.