I am diagnosed with panic attack disorder

I am a constant reader of your column and I must commend you for the good work. More grease to your elbows. I was recently diagnosed with panic attack disorder by a physician who advised me to consult a psychiatrist. I need more information about panic disorder.

Mr. Us.

Panic disorder occurs “when you experience recurring unexpected panic attacks. It is defined as abrupt surges of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes. People with the disorder live in fear of having a panic attack. You may be having a panic attack when you feel sudden, overwhelming terror that has no obvious cause. You may experience physical symptoms, such as a racing heart, breathing difficulties, and sweating.”

What are the symptoms of panic disorder?

Symptoms of panic disorder often begin to appear in teens and young adults under the age of 25. If you have had four or more panic attacks, or you live in fear of having another panic attack after experiencing one, you may have a panic disorder. Panic attacks produce intense fear that begins suddenly, often with no warning. An attack typically lasts for 10 to 20 minutes, but in extreme cases, symptoms may last for more than an hour. The experience is different for everyone, and symptoms often vary.

Common symptoms associated with a panic attack include:

• Racing palpitations • Shortness of breath • Feeling like you are choking • Dizziness (vertigo) • Lightheadedness • Nausea • Sweating or chills • Shaking or trembling • Changes in mental state, including a feeling of unreality or being detached from oneself

• Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet • Chest pain or tightness • Fear that you might die The symptoms of a panic attack often occur for no clear reason. Typically, the symptoms are not proportionate to the level of danger that exists in the environment. Because these attacks can’t be predicted, they can significantly affect your functioning.

Fear of a panic attack or recalling a panic attack can result in another attack.EGALLERY4

What causes panic disorder?

The causes of panic disorder are not clearly understood. “Research has shown that panic disorder may be genetically linked. Panic disorder is also associated with significant transitions that occur in life. Leaving for heartbeat or college, getting married, or having your first child are all major life transitions that may create stress and lead to the development of panic disorder.”

Who is at risk of developing panic disorder?

Although the causes of panic disorder are not clearly understood, information about the disease does indicate that certain groups are more likely to develop the disorder. In particular, women are twice as likely as men to develop the condition. How is panic disorder diagnosed? 1. If you experience symptoms of a panic attack, you may seek emergency medical care. Most people who experience a panic attack for the first time believe that they are having a heart attack.

2. While at the emergency department, the emergency provider will perform several tests to see if your symptoms are caused by a heart attack. They may run blood tests to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, or an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check heart function.

How is panic disorder treated?

• Treatment for panic disorder focuses on reducing or eliminating your symptoms. This is achieved through therapy with a qualified professional and in some cases, medication. Therapy typically involves cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT). This therapy teaches you to change your thoughts and actions so that you can understand your attacks and manage your fear.

• Medications used to treat panic disorder can include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressant.

In addition to these treatments, there are a number of steps that you can take at home to reduce your symptoms which include:

• Maintaining schedule • Exercising on a regular basis • Getting enough sleep • Avoiding the use of stimulants such as caffeine

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It may not be possible to prevent panic disorder. However, you can work to reduce your symptoms by avoiding alcohol and stimulants such as caffeine as well as illicit drugs. It is also helpful to notice if you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety following a distressing life event.