How panic attacks affect personal and professional life
Panic attacks affect 2.4 million U.S. adults and often begin during the late teens and early adulthood and strikes twice as many American women as men. Now, what is a panic attack? A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that occurs for no apparent reason. It is a type of anxiety disorder that can only be described as a comprehensive emotional nightmare.
Panic attacks trigger strong physical reactions that result in frightening symptoms. A person experiencing an episode might confuse signs of panic attacks with symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. Panic attack sufferers report feeling a complete loss of control as symptoms peak, even feeling like they are dying.
These panic …show more content…
The experience of panic can range from mild (where the person will have limited interference in their daily routine) to extremely severe (possibly resulting in being partially or completely housebound). The experience of panic for most panic sufferers is frightening and the avoidance can greatly alter one's lifestyle (e.g., inability to drive to work). As a change in their lifestyle becomes apparent, there is also a change in their personal relationships. Others around the person must take on more of the day-to-day routine and responsibilities (e.g., going to grocery stores or taking the kids to school). This may cause those around the panic sufferer to feel more stress from their increased duties. The additional stress experienced by the family can cause resentment and anger towards the person and then worsen the panic symptoms. At the same time, she or he may begin to show signs of depression as a result of their changed family role. The negativity that comes with depression may then lead the person to believe that they don't have the capability to improve their condition, and consequently increase their dependency, depression, and panic symptoms. If left untreated, this disorder can be
Panic attacks affect 2.4 million U.S. adults and often begin during the late teens and early adulthood and strikes twice as many American women as men. Now, what is a panic attack? A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that occurs for no apparent reason. It is a type of anxiety disorder that can only be described as a comprehensive emotional nightmare.
Panic attacks trigger strong physical reactions that result in frightening symptoms. A person experiencing an episode might confuse signs of panic attacks with symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. Panic attack sufferers report feeling a complete loss of control as symptoms peak, even feeling like they are dying.
These panic …show more content…
The experience of panic can range from mild (where the person will have limited interference in their daily routine) to extremely severe (possibly resulting in being partially or completely housebound). The experience of panic for most panic sufferers is frightening and the avoidance can greatly alter one's lifestyle (e.g., inability to drive to work). As a change in their lifestyle becomes apparent, there is also a change in their personal relationships. Others around the person must take on more of the day-to-day routine and responsibilities (e.g., going to grocery stores or taking the kids to school). This may cause those around the panic sufferer to feel more stress from their increased duties. The additional stress experienced by the family can cause resentment and anger towards the person and then worsen the panic symptoms. At the same time, she or he may begin to show signs of depression as a result of their changed family role. The negativity that comes with depression may then lead the person to believe that they don't have the capability to improve their condition, and consequently increase their dependency, depression, and panic symptoms. If left untreated, this disorder can be