What is Panic Disorder?

/

Panic disorder is a common mental illness in today’s society. Every year, about 11% of Americans have a panic attack, and 3% of them go on to be diagnosed with panic disorder. People with this disorder typically begin to show symptoms during their adolescent/early adult years. The majority of people who have panic disorder are female; however, any gender can develop this disorder. In this post, I am going to describe panic disorder and how you can get help for it.

What is Panic Disorder?

    Panic disorder is when a person has frequent panic attacks. A panic attack is a sudden feeling of fear that comes over someone, even if no danger is present. Panic attacks can cause physical reactions, such as sweating and shaking. However, not everyone that has had a panic attack will develop this disorder. People with panic disorder are so afraid of having another attack that they change their everyday life to avoid things that could cause them to have an attack.


What are some symptoms of Panic Disorder?

     Some symptoms of panic disorder include:

  • Many sudden panic attacks

  • Fear about when another attack will come

  • Avoidance of situations that could cause an attack

     Symptoms of a panic attack include:

  • Chest pain

  • Chills

  • Intense fear

  • Shaking

  • Sweating

  • Nausea

  • Heat flashes

  • Dizziness


What causes Panic Disorder?

    It isn’t known exactly why people develop panic disorder. However, it is proven that panic disorder can be hereditary. Also, people with other health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are more prone to panic attacks than others. Alcohol and drugs can increase your risk of developing panic disorders. Some experts think that panic attacks are caused when the body’s survival instincts work too strongly and/or too often. Many parts of the brain and biology play a role in developing panic disorder.


How do I get diagnosed with Panic Disorder?

    To be diagnosed with panic disorder, according to the DSM-5, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. You must have frequent panic attacks that occur out of the blue.

  2. At least one of your attacks must be followed by one month or more of worrying about having another attack.

  3. You avoid situations that you think may cause an attack.

  4. Your panic attacks aren’t caused by medication, a medical condition, or another mental health condition.



    If you are only suffering from panic attacks and not from panic disorder, it is still important that you seek help for your issue. Not all of this list has to be met for a serious issue surrounding panic attacks to be present.



What are the treatment options for Panic Disorder?

    One way to treat panic disorder is by using a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a form of psychotherapy. You discuss your feelings and your triggers with a mental health professional, and they help you change your reaction to them. As your response to your triggers change, panic attacks happen less frequently. Also, certain antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can make panic attacks less severe and less frequent. Things you can do at home are exercise regularly, have a healthy diet, and manage your stress.



It is important that you get help as soon as you start having panic attacks. Even if it is not a panic disorder, something else could be wrong. Panic attacks can cause extreme stress and stop you from doing things that you love. There is no need to be embarrassed about seeing help for your panic attacks, for you may find a treatment that works wonders for you!

Resources

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Panic disorder: When fear overwhelms. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved July 21, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms

Panic attacks: Panic disorder, anxiety disorder, symptoms, causes. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved July 21, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4451-panic-disorder

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2018, May 4). Panic attacks and panic disorder. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved July 21, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/panic-attacks/symptoms-causes/syc-20376021

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2018, May 4). Panic attacks and panic disorder. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved July 21, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/panic-attacks/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376027

 

Kylee Roberts, MH Virtual Assistant

Co-Written by Amber Madden, LPCC-S