Panic Disorder

While anxiety is part of daily life, some people experience anxiety that overwhelms their ability to cope. People with anxiety disorders may experience symptoms of excessive worry, nervousness, and others that impair daily functioning. 

Panic disorder is one type of anxiety disorder that affects about 2.7% of American adults. People with panic disorder experience sudden, frightening events called panic attacks. Panic attacks are typically not dangerous, but they can cause intense distress. 

This article will explore panic disorder and how to treat it. You will learn:

• The symptoms of panic disorder
• What happens during a panic attack
• How to identify and treat panic disorder
• Where to find treatment for panic disorder

If you or someone you love struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, or other mental health conditions, you are not alone. Reach out to the specialists at Agape Behavioral Center to learn about our holistic approach to mental healthcare. Contact us with questions or to schedule an intake into one of our programs. 

What is Panic Disorder?

Panic Disorder is a mental health condition that causes panic attacks. Most people experience just one or two panic attacks in their lifetime, if any. People with panic disorder experience frequent panic attacks that can impact their functioning and quality of life. 

People with panic disorder may experience panic attacks without a clear cause. When panic attacks occur, people may feel overwhelmed by fear. They may believe they are having a heart attack, losing control, or “going crazy.”

Unexpected panic attacks can feel life-threatening, but they are not. However, fear of having a panic attack can keep people from functioning at work, school, or socially. 

Living with panic disorder or another anxiety disorder puts people at increased risk for alcohol or drug abuse. People with an untreated anxiety disorder may self-medicate with addictive substances. Drug and alcohol use may relieve some of the emotional and physical symptoms of anxiety for a moment. However, self-medication is a significant risk factor for addiction.

People with symptoms of anxiety or panic disorder must seek treatment. Treatment can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. 

What Causes Panic Disorder?

Mental health experts do not fully understand what causes panic disorder. Research shows that there may be a genetic aspect of panic and anxiety disorders. This means if a close family member, such as a parent or sibling, has panic disorder, you are more likely to have it, too.

While panic disorder may run in families, other things can increase a person’s risk of having panic attacks. These include experiencing intense stress, certain types of substance abuse, and a history of trauma. 

Some mental health researchers believe that a panic attack may be a malfunction in a person’s “fight or flight” response system. For instance, a person may experience a racing heart and believe they are having a severe medical problem. This fear can feed into the symptoms of a panic attack, causing it to worsen. 

Symptoms of Panic Disorder

Panic disorder causes people to have panic attacks. Panic attacks are typically not life-threatening, but intense physical and psychological symptoms can be incredibly distressing. 

Physical panic attack symptoms include:

• Racing or pounding heart
• Trembling
• Sweating
• Chills
• A feeling of being choked or strangled
• Chest pain or tightness
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Tingling or numbness in the hands

Psychological symptoms of a panic attack include:

• A feeling of being out of control
• Feeling as though you are going to die
• Intense worrying about when the next panic attack will occur
• Avoiding things or places that you believe may trigger a panic attack

People with panic disorder may restrict their activities or live with a constant worry about their next panic attack. Treatment and support can help people reduce their symptoms and give them more control over their lives. 

Identifying and Treating Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is a mental health and medical condition that typically responds to treatment. Treatment for panic disorder includes medications and talk therapy. 

Medications for panic disorder

Doctors sometimes prescribe medications to help people manage the symptoms of panic disorder. People may take several medications, including:

• Beta-blockers
• Anti-anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines
• Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

People with panic disorder must work closely with their doctor to find an effective medication with fewer side effects.

Talk therapy

Evidence-based treatment programs include psychotherapy (talk therapy). Behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people change patterns of thoughts and behaviors around their anxiety. 

People with panic disorder may engage in exposure therapy. During exposure therapy, people gradually begin to engage with activities they had been avoiding. This therapeutic approach can help people face their fears related to their anxiety. 

Living with panic disorder can be challenging, but treatment can help people effectively reduce their symptoms. Treatment can help people gain more control over their functioning and improve their quality of life. 

Find Mental Health Treatment

If you or someone you love struggle with anxiety or panic disorder, you are not alone. Contact the Agape Behavioral Health specialists to learn more about our holistic treatment and support programs. 

References:

1. Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA): Anxiety Disorders – Facts & Statistics
2. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Panic Disorder
3. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care: Panic disorder in general medical practice- A narrative review