Understanding Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder: Crucial Information to Keep Handy

Understanding Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder: Crucial Information You Should Have

Panic attacks might be a sign of panic disorder, which is a mental health condition. During a panic attack, individuals might encounter intense feelings of powerlessness and terror, alongside physical symptoms such as an accelerated heartbeat, sweating, and tremors. These episodes may occur in response to stress-inducing situations or recur randomly, without a clear trigger, suggesting panic disorder.

Medical specialists often utilize the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) to diagnose panic disorder.

Panic attacks can be distressing, unnerving, and uncomfortable. They may manifest as isolated incidents or a recurring symptom of anxiety disorders. Typically lasting between 5 to 20 minutes, but symptoms might persist for up to 1 hour.

As per the DSM-5, a panic attack may entail some or all of the following symptoms:

Precordial pain or unease
Cold or hot sensations
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Fear of death or losing control
Arrhythmia or an increased heart rate
Numbness or tingling
Trembling or shake
Excessive perspiration
Difficult breathing, which may feel like choking
A sense of detachment from reality
Nausea and upset stomach

Some of the bodily reactions experienced during a panic attack may resemble those seen in other medical conditions, like cardiac issues, respiratory disorders, and thyroid disorders. Consequently, individuals with panic attacks might seek emergency medical assistance while believing they are experiencing a heart attack. Learn more about differentiating panic attacks from heart attacks.

Unwarranted panic might be diagnosed as panic disorder by a medical expert. Panic disorder affects approximately 1 in 75 individuals, with women being twice as likely to develop this condition, according to the American Psychological Association (APA).

Most individuals experience at least one panic attack throughout their lives, but those with panic disorder experience recurring attacks. Panic disorder usually emerges in adulthood, although it can also arise in kids. While genetic and biological factor's role in inducing panic disorder is not fully understood, both play a significant part in developing this condition. Exposure to environmental stressors, including significant life milestones like giving birth for the first time or moving out, plays a role in the disorder's development.

A doctor may diagnose panic disorder if a person has experienced multiple panic attacks and now fears suffering another one. This fear may lead to withdrawal from social situations and avoidance of potential panic-inducing settings.

Anxiety and panic can be a natural response to stress. However, persistent or frequent panic symptoms may suggest panic disorder. When the brain perceives a perceived threat, it instructs the adrenal glands to release adrenaline, which causes a spike in heart rate and blood pressure. This pattern of responses matches the characteristics of a panic attack.

Factors increasing the likelihood of developing panic disorder include:

Family history of panic disorder
Adverse childhood experiences
Chemical imbalances in the brain

Individuals with other anxiety disorders, such as:

Generalized anxiety disorder
Separation anxiety
Specific phobias
Social anxiety disorder

may also experience panic attacks or symptoms mimicking panic attacks.

To diagnose panic disorder, doctors rely on the DSM-5 criteria:

Experienced at least one panic attack
Displayed persistent fear of having another panic attack for over 1 month
Significantly altered behavior due to this fear
Various conditions, medications, or drugs cannot explain these symptoms

Panic disorder treatment options may involve medication and psychotherapy. Understanding panic disorder and its prevalence might aid individuals in feeling better.

Cognitive behavioral therapy may help individuals identify triggers and develop strategies to manage difficult situations. Interoceptive exposure treatments enable individuals to develop a sense of comfort with the sensations associated with a panic attack in a controlled environment, ultimately reducing fear and anxiety associated with those symptoms.

Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises and visualization, can help some people cope with panic attacks.

Doctors may recommend medications, including:

Antidepressants, like SSRIs and SNRIs, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and venlafaxine hydrochloride (Effexor XR)
Beta-blockers, which can alleviate physical symptoms
Anti-anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin)

SSRIs and SNRIs can take several weeks to achieve desired effects, while benzodiazepines can offer more prompt symptom relief at the cost of a higher risk of dependency.

In 2020, the health authorities issued a stern warning regarding the hazards of benzodiazepines. Making use of these drugs can develop a habitual dependence, and discontinuing their intake can pose serious health risks, potentially leading to fatal consequences. Combining them with alcohol, opioids, and other substances can result in fatal overdoses. It's imperative to adhere to the doctor's advice when using these medications.

To lessen the occurrence and severity of panic attacks, the National Health Service of the UK suggests the following strategies:

When a panic attack ensues, an individual should:

remain stationary
practice slow, methodical breathing exercises
envision comforting images
remind oneself that it will soon subside and is not lethal

To reduce the likelihood of future attacks, people can:

research CBT techniques
engage in relaxation methods such as:
- yoga
- controlled breathing
- visualization of positivity
regular exercise
abstain from substances that aggravate panic attacks, such as:
- caffeine
- tobacco
- alcohol
- recreational drugs
- sugary snacks and beverages

Explore methods to suppress a panic attack.

Panic disorder can negatively impact various facets of an individual's life. For example, it:

deteriorates the quality of life
fosters unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance use
precipitates suicidal thoughts or actions
coexists with other conditions, such as:
- obsessive-compulsive disorder
- social anxiety disorder
- asthma
- irritable bowel syndrome
- hypertension (high blood pressure)

Guidance and Resources

If you or someone you know is grappling with suicidal thoughts or self-harm, please seek assistance:

Contact or message the 988 Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Trained counselors are on call 24/7 to offer free and private support.
Text "HOME" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for round-the-clock, free, and confidential support.
If you're located outside of the United States, consult the Befrienders Worldwide website to find a helpline in your country.
In an emergency, dial 911 or your local emergency services number if it's safe to do so.

If you're acting on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. If you can do so safely, remove any substances or weapons that may pose a threat.

If you're not residing in the same household, stay on the call with them until help arrives.

Consult a Healthcare Professional

Panic attacks and panic disorder impact numerous individuals. Although panic attacks can be alarming, effective treatments are available.

Individuals with concerns about panic attacks or panic disorder should seek professional medical attention. Timely intervention can prevent the symptoms from escalating and mitigate potential complications.

Doctors may diagnose panic disorder in individuals experiencing panic symptoms and anxieties regarding panic attacks over a period of at least 1 month with no apparent cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can one pacify a panic attack?

Relaxation techniques like mindful breathing and visualization might alleviate a person's panic attack symptoms when they begin to emerge. Remaining stationary and focusing on the notion that the panic attack will soon subside may also be helpful.

What does a panic attack entail?

A panic attack may manifest feelings of fear, unease, and dread. Individuals may also experience physical symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, sweating, shivering, and trembling.

Should one dial 911 during a panic attack?

Panic attacks are not lethal and usually subside within minutes. However, panic attack symptoms can mimic medical emergencies like heart attacks, which require immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of a heart attack:

chest pain or discomfort
breathlessness
pain or discomfort in other body parts, such as the arms, neck, or jaw
nausea and dizziness

If someone encounters symptoms suggesting a heart attack, particularly if it's their first time, they should seek medical help promptly.

Learn how to discern a heart attack.

Summary

Although panic attacks can be indicators of panic disorder, not everyone who experiences a panic attack has panic disorder.

Symptoms of panic attacks include anxiety, distress, and physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, and shivers.

An individual undergoing panic attacks can consult a healthcare professional, who can provide advice on managing symptoms and preventing complications.

Panic attacks, often associated with panic disorder, can also occur in individuals with other anxiety disorders such as social anxiety or specific phobias. These episodes may lead to a habitual dependence on medications like benzodiazepines, which can have serious health consequences if misused or combined with other substances.

Obesity and certain medical conditions, like cardiac issues and thyroid disorders, can share symptoms with panic attacks, causing individuals to seek emergency medical assistance unnecessarily. To reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks, strategies such as deep breathing exercises, yoga, and regular exercise can be beneficial.

Individuals diagnosed with panic disorder may experience symptoms of anxiety and panic, including fear of death or losing control, difficulties in breathing, and severe perspiration. These symptoms may persist, lasting up to an hour after the initial attack.

Asthma, a respiratory disorder, can coexist with panic disorder, making it crucial for individuals to seek professional help to differentiate between the two conditions and receive appropriate treatment.