Panic attacks are defined as abrupt surges of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes. Pretty much anyone can have a panic attack, in fact, most people have one once or twice before the die. People diagnosed with panic disorder are not as lucky. One out of 75 people are diagnosed with Panic Disorder, women twice as likely than men (Burke, 2016). These people have frequent and unexpected attacks that they live in fear of having more of.
Panic disorder can be caused by many different things, but the condition isn’t understood completely. The first thing that causes panic disorder could be genetics. Scientists aren’t for sure, but they believe it to be possible that it could be hereditary. There was a study on twins that gave them …show more content…
The main thing that characterizes the disorder are repeated and sudden attacks of intense fear and anxiety that last for 10-20 minutes at a time (Burke, 2016). These panic attacks make a person feel like they aren’t in control and are having a heart attack. Afterwards they fear having another attack and this can sometimes turn into agoraphobia. During the panic attacks a person has a racing heart, trouble breathing, sweating, lightheadedness, nausea, trembling, hot or cold chills, dizziness, and feels like they are dying (Zimmerman, 2014).
The previous paragraph mentions agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is a fear of places they can’t escape or where something goes wrong and it would be difficult to get help. This phobia can usually be found in people with panic disorder. It’s usually happens after a person has a panic attack in a public place (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016). People with agoraphobia try to avoid situations that cause anxiety by ordering groceries online instead of going out. If it’s left untreated it can seriously impact the person’s life to the point where they don’t even leave the house. (Dryden-Edwards, …show more content…
A lot of the time they therapy that is used is cognitive-behavioral therapy. This changes the patient’s thought patterns and makes them less destructive so you can control your fear. It also teaches the patient what to do and how to act when they have a panic attack (Burke, 2016). Another type of therapy used called exposure therapy. Exposure therapy gives the patient the physical sensations of panic in a controlled environment, helping you learn healthier ways of coping with the panic attacks. It helps you become less afraid of having the attacks, helping you have less of them. This therapy also helps with treating agoraphobia (Zimmerman, 2014). Medication is a way of controlling or reducing some symptoms of panic disorder, however, it isn’t a way of resolving the problem. Medicine is most effective with therapy and usually only used in severe cases. Some of the medications used are antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants have to be taken regularly, but benzodiazepines act quickly so they only need to be taken during the attack. Benzodiazepines provide rapid anxiety relief, but they are highly addictive and need to be used cautiously (Burke,
Panic disorder can be caused by many different things, but the condition isn’t understood completely. The first thing that causes panic disorder could be genetics. Scientists aren’t for sure, but they believe it to be possible that it could be hereditary. There was a study on twins that gave them …show more content…
The main thing that characterizes the disorder are repeated and sudden attacks of intense fear and anxiety that last for 10-20 minutes at a time (Burke, 2016). These panic attacks make a person feel like they aren’t in control and are having a heart attack. Afterwards they fear having another attack and this can sometimes turn into agoraphobia. During the panic attacks a person has a racing heart, trouble breathing, sweating, lightheadedness, nausea, trembling, hot or cold chills, dizziness, and feels like they are dying (Zimmerman, 2014).
The previous paragraph mentions agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is a fear of places they can’t escape or where something goes wrong and it would be difficult to get help. This phobia can usually be found in people with panic disorder. It’s usually happens after a person has a panic attack in a public place (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016). People with agoraphobia try to avoid situations that cause anxiety by ordering groceries online instead of going out. If it’s left untreated it can seriously impact the person’s life to the point where they don’t even leave the house. (Dryden-Edwards, …show more content…
A lot of the time they therapy that is used is cognitive-behavioral therapy. This changes the patient’s thought patterns and makes them less destructive so you can control your fear. It also teaches the patient what to do and how to act when they have a panic attack (Burke, 2016). Another type of therapy used called exposure therapy. Exposure therapy gives the patient the physical sensations of panic in a controlled environment, helping you learn healthier ways of coping with the panic attacks. It helps you become less afraid of having the attacks, helping you have less of them. This therapy also helps with treating agoraphobia (Zimmerman, 2014). Medication is a way of controlling or reducing some symptoms of panic disorder, however, it isn’t a way of resolving the problem. Medicine is most effective with therapy and usually only used in severe cases. Some of the medications used are antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants have to be taken regularly, but benzodiazepines act quickly so they only need to be taken during the attack. Benzodiazepines provide rapid anxiety relief, but they are highly addictive and need to be used cautiously (Burke,