The Truth About Panic Disorder

Panic disorder can be a devastating and horrifying illness. Attacks often seem to come from nowhere and can leave the sufferer in a near constant state of fear. Fear of future attacks, fear that they are going crazy, fear of fear itself. Sadly, it is this fear that often keeps individuals with this disorder from seeking appropriate treatment.

Studies estimate that one in five emergency room visits is panic related, and that approximately three million people will experience recurrent panic attacks at some point in their lives. Panic disorder usually appears for the first time during the teens or early adult years, and more women suffer from this disorder than men. While the exact cause of this often devastating illness is not known, there appears to be a genetic link, and the risk of developing this disorder increases during times of stress or major life changes, such as getting married, having a child, moving or graduation from college.

A panic attack is marked by a sudden overwhelming fear or anxiety that comes without any warning and without any obvious reason. It is much more intense than the feeling of being stressed out or on edge that most people experience from time to time. Symptoms of a panic attack may include symptoms such as a racing heartbeat, difficulty breathing or feeling as though you cannot get enough air, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting, trembling, sweating, shaking, chest pains, hot flashes, sudden chills or pins and needles (tingling) in your hands or feet. Often the most intense symptom during an active attack is the fear that you're going to go crazy or are about to die. Generally, the attackpasses in a matter of minutes, and the remaining symptoms gradually fade over the course of an hour or two.

A panic attack, although extremely terrifying, is not physically dangerous, but if left untreated can often lead to the development of other conditions such as phobias, depression, substance abuse or even suicide. The effects of this disorder can range from mild discomfort or worry to social impairment or a complete inability to deal with reality and the outside world. Fortunately, treatment often brings relief to the majority of people that seek help for this illness, and early treatment can help prevent this disorder from becoming worse.

It is important for any person experiencing the symptoms of panic disorder to undergo a thorough medical examination before beginning treatment. This is so important because a great number of other medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to panic disorder. Medication and cognitive or behavioral therapy is generally used in combination to successfully treat this disorder.