Treatment for Panic Disorder - Understanding the Symptoms

Panic disorder is descriptive of people who experience sudden attacks of fear. These attacks can last for several minutes or even longer. Another characteristic of panic disorder is that attacks may occur rather frequently. People suffering from the mental disorder may experience a fear of losing complete control—even when no real danger is apparent. A panic attack can occur at any time. Many have said it feels as if they are having a heart attack.

A smiling woman inside a store glances over at a cashier ready to checkout. After scanning her items, the cashier proceeds to ask her for a method of payment, when suddenly, panic attacks strike. The woman enters into a fearful, transitory episode of a panic disorder. This ordinary occurrence of everyday life delivers a classic episode triggered by a panic disorder.

Panic Disorder Treatment

People suffering from the disorder are prone to feelings of low self-esteem as well because they can never tell when an attack will occur. It can happen when simply driving to the grocery store. It is a disorder that can interfere with every facet of a person’s life; school, the job, and social gatherings. Signs of panic disorder can manifest at an early age. However, everyone who experiences panic attacks will not develop a panic disorder.

According to recent studies completed by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), in the United States alone, close to 40 million Americans currently live or have lived through a type of anxiety disorder in the past year. Out of those 40 million, 6 million people are the victims of panic disorder. Panic disorders is growing and affecting thousands of people at a rapid rate. Treatment centers across the nation are offering to increase the care and aid to these people with panic disorders. Treating a panic disorder at an earlier stage, can prevent long-term lasting effects.

The most common physical reactions that accompany panic attacks include:

• Stomach and chest pain
• Dizziness
• Difficulty breathing
• Increased sweating
• Nausea
• Hot or cold bursts

Unfortunately, no one knows for sure what causes a panic disorder. Some people have it, and other people do not. What is known is that it is tied to a ‘state of mind.’ Researches know that portions of the brain are linked to anxiety and fear. Actually, a little fear and anxiety on occasion can be considered healthy, depending on the situation. Signs of panic disorder include the following:

• Repeated, sudden attacks of fear for no apparent reason.
• An acute feeling of having no control over the situation. The fear is often ungrounded.
• Worries about when the next panic attack will occur, which creates a panic attack within itself.
• An avoidance of places where an individual feels a panic attack will occur. Since a panic attack can occur anywhere and anytime, all places are eventually on the list to be avoided.