Understanding Panic Disorder and Its Effects on Your Health
Do you feel like fear is becoming overwhelming lately? Do you notice that your heart is pounding intensely and you sweat excessively? You might have developed a panic disorder. Many people experiencing panic disorder symptoms don’t even know they have such a condition.
You have come to the right place if you haven’t heard or learned about panic disorder. You should continue reading below to understand better what a panic disorder is. It will also help you know if it is what you are experiencing and how it can affect your health.
What is Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety illness that causes constant, sudden panic and dread attacks. Everyone occasionally experiences mild to moderate levels of anxiety or panic. It’s a normal reaction to stressful or risky conditions.
However, individuals with panic disorder feel too much stress and anxiety and regularly panic at any time without apparent reason. So, when your feelings are becoming extreme, you should consider seeking the help of a professional.
Panic Disorder Symptoms
To better assess yourself and know if what you’re experiencing is a panic disorder or just an ordinary anxiety experience, you should learn the symptoms of panic disorder to differentiate it from other conditions. Here are the signs you should watch out for to know if you already have a panic disorder:
Anxiety
Unease is the anxiety that one experiences. It can vary in severity from mild to extreme and come with fear and anxiety feelings. Panic is the most severe form of anxiety.
You might start to stay away from certain situations in the future that they’ll lead to yet another attack. This pattern can generate a cycle of living “in fear of fear.” It can make you feel more anxious and lead to further attacks.
Panic Attacks
Another sign of a panic disorder is a panic attack. You will experience an acute flood of physical and mental symptoms during an attack. It might come on extremely rapidly and for no particular reason.
An anxiety episode can be quite frightful and upsetting. Symptoms can include:
- Shortness of breath
- Trembling
- Sweating
- Fast heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Chills
- Shakiness
- Fainting
- Numbness
- Pins and needles
- Dry mouth
- Tingling sensation
- Agitated stomach
- Choking feeling
- Hot flushes
The majority of panic attacks can last up to 20 minutes. However, some individuals also reported an attack that could last an hour. The frequency of your attacks will depend on the severity of your condition.
Reasons Why You Develop Panic Disorder
Physicians are unsure of the specific cause of the panic disorder, though one theory suggests that those who experience it might have brains that are especially sensitive and react to fear.
Phobias and panic attacks, such as claustrophobia and acrophobia, are related. Furthermore, a hypothesis shows that panic disorder could be caused by high carbon dioxide sensitivity, which results in your brain believing you are suffocating.
You may be more susceptible to having a panic disorder if you are:
- A family member is experiencing it even though it’s still unclear whether it’s entirely due to your DNA or your surroundings where you grew up.
- Extreme stress
- Difficulty managing bad emotions or persistent negative sensations.
Several people think that panic attacks are related to the following:
- Suicide risk
- Alcohol exploitation
- Smoking cigarette
- Depression
- Seasonal affective disorder
Panic attacks typically start nowhere and can even happen while you’re asleep. Attempting to treat panic disorder with medicines or alcohol can exacerbate the symptoms. After using medicines that change consciousness, attacks could occur.
Moreover, some drugs, particularly some antidepressants, can trigger panic attacks.
Ways to Treat Panic Disorder
If you have learned that you indeed have panic disorder, you should start looking for ways to treat it and prevent it from worsening. So, you might want to consider these ways and try which one works for you best.
Psychotherapy
Panic disorder is frequently treated using cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, a form of psychotherapy backed by research. CBT teaches you several approaches to thinking, behaving, and responding to the emotions experienced before or during your panic attack.
After you learn to respond differently to the physical symptoms of worry and dread throughout a panic attack, the attacks may become less common.
Medication
Another way to treat your panic disorder is by medication. Your doctor may prescribe you medications like Zoloft. Zoloft is an antidepressant that, when taken properly, will alleviate symptoms of panic attacks.
Acquiring a Zoloft Coupon is also ideal for saving money for your panic disorder medication. Panic disorder medication is expensive and could put a strain on your finances. Getting a coupon will help you acquire the proper medication you need while not worrying about hurting your finances.
Final Thoughts
If you think you’re experiencing a panic disorder, you should immediately schedule an appointment with your physician to be directed about what you can do about it. Don’t wait too long to seek medical help to ensure that you will address the issue early.
