Most people who experience panic disorders or panic attacks know that many times these experiences come out of nowhere. Often those who have experienced a panic attack due to panic disorder will explain that the fear and anxiety they felt at the moment was overwhelming and paralyzing. They sweat, have trouble breathing, their heart pounds so loud they feel it in their hands or ears.
Why can’t I stop sweating? Can anyone else hear my heartbeat?
Am I crazy? Am I okay? Am I dying? I think I am dying.
There is too much noise. There are too many people. The room is spinning.
My chest hurts… why does my chest hurt? Am I having a heart attack?
What is that noise? Is that my heartbeat?
These are all common thoughts and feelings when someone is struggling with a panic disorder, which can cause panic attacks and episodes. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), panic disorder impacts 2.4 million people in our country each year.
They also report that in the United States, 1.6% of the adult population, which is more than three million people, will have panic disorder at some time in their lives. But why, and what does a panic disorder even feel like?
Panic attacks themselves usually do not last very long. Most are over within an hour of starting and most reach a peak within the first 10 minutes.
Symptoms can be different depending on the type of panic attack. Often, we think that when it comes to panic or anxiety that it is one-size-fits-all but that is not the case.
There are two main types of panic attacks that can occur if you have a panic disorder. They are:
Panic disorders on the other hand can include panic attacks as well as some other symptoms. In general some common symptoms of panic disorder are:
It is so important to seek care if you think that you or a loved one may be experiencing a panic disorder. Some of these symptoms can be a result of many other things.
Medications are often prescribed for those with panic or anxiety disorders. Intensive treatment and therapies usually last from six months to one year, although medicine may be required for the remainder of the person’s lifetime. These work to counteract the extreme stimulation that is felt during a panic or anxiety attack because they are usually part of a class of medicines known as depressants.
It is important to remember that these medicines will not cure a panic disorder but studies show that up to 90% of people with panic disorder are helped by therapy and medication in combination.
Some common examples of medications prescribed for these disorders are:
These typically have few side effects, aside from drowsiness and are a common first-prescribed medication for those with panic disorders. Common types of these are:
This type of medicine is the oldest and is still effective for a lot of people. The most common types are:
These are newer medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors known as SSRIs that work to change the brain chemistry of the person who takes them. Common medicine names are:
These are ideal for those who also experience depression that is contributing to the panic disorder. Common types are:
Some combinations of medicines include protocols like citalopram and clonazepam. Due to unique chemical reactions to medications, your care team may try drugs individually or in combination until the most effective regimen is found. It is important to remember, medication is most effective when used alongside therapy.
Some combinations of medicines include protocols like citalopram and clonazepam. Due to unique chemical reactions to medications, your care team may try drugs individually or in combination until the most effective regimen is found. It is important to remember, medication is most effective when used alongside therapy.
Panic disorder can be a scary time and the team at SUN is ready to help you every step of the way. Call SUN Columbus today.
At SUN Behavioral, our master’s-level clinicians provide care for these specific challenges surrounding mental illness. Struggling with a mental illness is extremely difficult. Not only does it impact an individual on an emotional level, but it can also leave them with several physical complications.
At SUN, we’ve created a caring, healing environment and will be there for every step of your journey to recovery. Please call us today at 614-706-2786 to help you, your family and your loved one.
Some data suggests that panic disorder, like anxiety or depression, is more likely to occur in those who have a family history of it. Other things to consider when thinking about the causes of mental health disorders in general, panic disorder included, is risk factors.
Risk factors are things that cause you or a loved one to be more likely to experience these disorders, illnesses, or symptoms. Panic disorder risk factors are:
The general understanding of the science suggests the cause of panic disorder is unknown. Some scientific evidence points to major life changes or triggers. These can include, but are not limited to:
Diagnosis of a panic disorder is done by using the classification outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5). This is a source of classification and diagnosis guidelines for mental illnesses that is used across the world.
According to the DSM-5, a person must have recurrent and often unexpected panic attacks and at least one of these attacks needs to be followed by one or more, or fear of more attacks. This is a disorder that requires a professional diagnosis. This will help rule out other causes of some symptoms like: drug use, medication side effects, other mental disorders such as phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), etc.
Aside from the causes and risk factors related to panic disorders, most people are focused on their signs and symptoms related to panic disorders and panic attacks.
Yes. An anxiety attack is classified much differently than a panic disorder. Panic disorders are commonly known as recurrent panic attacks whereas anxiety is a simple fear or overwhelming feeling. Those with anxiety disorders experience this anxiety, fear or worry for prolonged periods of time with no rest.
Yes, a panic disorder is considered a mental illness according to the DSM-5.
The research suggests that formal causes are largely unknown when it comes to panic disorders but there is some small consensus on topics like genetics, environmental factors and experiences.
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