Panic Disorder

What is a Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is a severe form of anxiety disorder. People living with panic disorder, or panic attacks, experience brief episodes of overwhelming anxiety with physical symptoms. During a panic attack, the body's warning systems happen even though there is no actual immediate danger.

What Causes a Panic Disorder or Panic Attack?
People experience panic attacks for many reasons, including a reaction to stress, a chemical imbalance, a childhood experience or trauma, personality traits such as perfectionism, conscientiousness, or sensitivity to criticism, as well as heredity.

Signs and Symptoms of a Panic Attack

• Shortness of breath or smothering sensation
• Dizziness or faintness
• Accelerated heart rate
• Trembling or shaking
• Sweating
• Choking
• Nausea or abdominal distress
• Feelings of detachment or unreality
• Chest discomfort or pain
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Hot flashes or chills
• Fear of dying, going crazy, or losing control

Treatment Options
Regular exercise and relaxation exercises can help deactivate body tension and reduce stress, however more is usually required. Medications such as Xanax and Antivan can help bring the anxiety under control but they are potentially addictive and normally prescribed only during times of stress. Talk therapy can help identify the negative thought patterns that lead to panic attacks and replace those thoughts with positive ones. Other techniques include positive imagery and simple coping mechanisms like distraction and positive self-talk.

Information source: Pine Rest TODAY Magazine, "Anxiety Disorders: Riding the Storm Out." Copyright © Fall 1994.