PANIC DISORDERS
Many people experience a panic attack at some point in their lives. A panic attack is when you feel sudden, overwhelming fear or dread that has no obvious cause. There may be physical symptoms, too, like a racing heart, breathing difficulties, and sweating.
But when you have multiple panic attacks and live in fear of their reoccurrence, this may indicate panic disorder. Panic disorder always includes panic attacks. But having a panic attack doesn’t necessarily mean you have panic disorder.
"Living in fear of panic attack recurrence may indicate a panic disorder"
Panic Attacks & Panic Disorder
Panic attacks and panic disorder can impact the quality of life including social connection, work, relationships, and physical health and wellbeing. For children and teens, panic conditions may also impact their overall social development. Fear of having a panic attack can make it difficult to attend school, leave home, or maintain friendships.
Even though the symptoms of panic can be overwhelming and frightening, they can be managed and improved with professional counseling and therapy. Seeking help is the most important part of reducing symptoms and improving your quality of life.
Panic Attacks
A panic attack is an intense wave of fear characterized by its unexpectedness and debilitating, halting intensity. You feel like you can’t breathe, your heart pounds, and you may feel like you’re dying or going to lose control. Panic attacks often strike out of the blue, without any warning, and sometimes with no clear trigger. They may even occur when you’re relaxed or asleep.
A panic attack may happen only once, although many people experience repeat occurrences. Recurrent panic attacks are often triggered by a specific situation—especially if that situation has caused a panic attack before. Usually, the panic-inducing situation is one in which you feel that you are in danger and unable to escape, triggering the body's fight-or-flight response. And typically, the symptoms are not proportionate to the level of danger that exists in your environment. Because of their unpredictable nature, recurring panic attacks can significantly affect your everyday life. Some people experience panic attacks at work, in public with friends, or even at home.
You may experience one or more panic attacks yet otherwise feel perfectly happy and healthy. Or your panic attacks may occur as part of another disorder, such as panic disorder, social anxiety, or depression. Regardless of the cause, panic attacks are treatable through counseling and therapy. There are strategies you can use to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of panic, regain your confidence, and take back control of your life.
Panic Disorder
People with panic disorder have frequent and unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are characterized by a sudden wave of fear or discomfort or a sense of losing control even when there is no clear danger. Not everyone who experiences a panic attack will develop panic disorder. You may be considered to have a panic disorder if you’ve had four or more panic attacks, or you have been fearful of having another panic attack for longer than one month. Many people with panic disorder worry about the possibility of having another attack and may significantly change their life to avoid having another attack.
Signs and Symptoms of Panic Disorder
People with panic disorder may have:
• Sudden and repeated panic attacks of overwhelming anxiety and fear.
• A feeling of being out of control, or a fear of death or dread during a panic attack.
• Intense rumination about when the next panic attack will happen.
• A fear or avoidance of places where panic attacks have occurred before.
• changes in your mental state, like a feeling of unreality or feeling detached from oneself.
And, or physical symptoms such as:
• Pounding or racing heart
• Sweating or chills
• Stomach pain or nausea
• Trembling or shaking
• Weakness or dizziness
• Tingly or numb hands or face
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Feeling dizzy or light-headed
Causes of Panic Disorder
Researchers have found that several parts of the brain and certain biological processes may play a crucial role in fear and anxiety. Panic disorder sometimes runs in families, but it is not known for sure why some family members have it while others don’t.
Some researchers think panic attacks are like “false alarms” where our body’s natural survival instincts become overactive. These sensations in the body cause you to over think what is happening. For example, someone with panic disorder might feel their heart racing and assume they’re having a heart attack. This may lead to a repetitive cycle, causing a person to experience panic attacks seemingly out of the blue, the main feature of panic disorder. Researchers are also studying the mind and body connection and are looking at the ways stress and environmental factors play a role in the disorder.
Regardless of the causes, working with a trained and caring therapist can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of panic attacks and disorder.
Treating Panic Attacks and Disorder
If you’re experiencing symptoms of panic, it is best to talk to your regular physician who may conduct a physical exam to ensure that any unrelated physical problem is not causing your symptoms and consult with mental health professionals.
Panic disorder can be effectively treated with psychotherapy with research-supported treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that will show you different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to the feelings that happen during or before a panic attack. The attacks can become less frequent once you learn to better manage your reactions and the physical sensations of anxiety and fear during a panic attack.
A good way to help yourself or a loved one who may be struggling with panic attacks or panic disorder is to seek information and help from a local professional counselor or therapist in Orange County. If you are experiencing panic disorder symptoms, have an honest conversation about how you’re feeling with someone you trust. If you think that a friend or family member may be struggling with panic disorder, take time to talk with them to express your concern and communicate your support.
Finding a therapist that is close by to you or your family member struggling with panic disorder is critical. Convenience of access to therapy assists with treatment consistency. Our office is strategically located in San Juan Capistrano, directly in the middle of South Orange County right off the 5 frwy. Dana Point, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Rancho Mission Viejo and San Clemente all directly border San Juan Capistrano making them extremely close by. But we're also close enough to conveniently offer Christian counseling to Aliso Viejo, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Irvine and Ladera Ranch. Be sure to take into consideration the location of the therapist you're choosing.
If your anxiety, or the anxiety of a loved one, starts to cause problems in everyday life—such as at school, at work, or with friends and family—it’s time to seek professional help. Talk to a health care provider about your mental health.
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