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Let's
Talk Facts About...
PANIC
DISORDER
Panic
disorder is much more than getting sweaty palms or butterflies
in the stomach before giving a speech. It is a serious
and potentially debilitating illness that causes many
people to withdraw from life into the shelter of their
homes.
People with panic disorder have sudden, repeated episodes
of severe terror or panic. These feelings may be associated
with certain commonplaces or events, such as going to
the supermarket or a movie, or they may strike randomly.
Although severe and intense, most panic attacks last
fewer than 10 minutes and sometimes only a few minutes.
WHAT
ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PANIC DISORDER?
Symptoms of a panic attack differ from person to person.
Some people have primarily physical symptoms, such as
heart palpitations or dizziness, while others are overwhelmed
more by fear or the feeling of "losing one's mind."
Common symptoms psychiatrists recognize when diagnosing
panic disorder include:
-
Sweating
- Shortness
of breath
- Heart
beating very rapidly
- Chest
pain
- Feeling
unsteady
- Choking
or smothering sensations
- Numbness
or tingling
- Hot
or cold flashes
- Feeling
faint
- Trembling
or shaking
- Nausea
or stomach pains
- Feelings
of unreality
- Fear
of losing control, dying or "going crazy"
Most people who have experienced panic attacks live
in constant fear of having another attack. People who
have this fear may refuse to leave home without a trusted
companion, and they may avoid certain places or situations.
Often a second condition, called agoraphobia, accompanies
panic disorder.
People with agoraphobia fear and avoid confined places
-- such as subways, stores and elevators -- from which
escape is difficult or where help may not be immediately
available if they have a panic attack.
Substance abuse and depression are common complications
of panic disorder.
HOW
IS PANIC DISORDER TREATED?
Treatment for panic disorder includes both medication
and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is a series of private
talks with a psychiatrist where a person discusses the
feelings, thoughts and behavior that cause difficulty.
A psychiatrist also can recognize other mental and medical
problems. The goal of psychotherapy is to help people
understand and master their problems so they can function
better. During psychotherapy, a psychiatrist can help
people with panic disorder identify early warning signs
of a panic attack and learn to manage them. Also, psychotherapy
often helps people with panic disorder recognize and
resolve inner emotional conflicts they had not realized
were troubling them. Certain thought and breathing exercises
also can help people work through panic attacks so they
pass quickly or their intensity decreases.
Different types of medications have been highly effective
in reducing panic attacks and minimizing anxiety about
future attacks. Psychotherapy combined with medication
helps most people with panic disorder. For some people,
long-term treatment is necessary. With the right help,
most people with panic disorder can lead normal, healthy
lives.
FIND
MORE INFORMATION…
©
Copyright 2001 Medem™, Inc. and the American Psychiatric
Association
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