Most of us know what it is to panic: that spike of adrenaline, that quick fear response, the sensation of being overwhelmed all at once. For some, however, panic is a regular part of their life. Panic disorders impact 2-3% of Americans, and 11% of Americans experience panic attacks.1
Fortunately, panic disorders are treatable and symptoms can be managed. But first let’s discuss what a panic disorder is and what qualifies as a panic disorder.
What Is a Panic Disorder?
A panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which you experience frequent panic attacks, often without any logical reasoning or trigger. Not everyone who has panic attacks has a panic disorder. However, if you find yourself having several panic attacks each year or even a few panic attacks each month, and if these panic attacks seem to come without warning, you may need to consider an evaluation for a panic disorder.
Symptoms of a Panic Disorder
The main symptom of a panic disorder is panic attacks, which often include sweating, chills, pounding heartbeat, trembling, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, stomach pain, or nausea. However, other symptoms of a panic disorder may include:
- Feeling out of control or overwhelmed, as though you’re drowning
- Intense fear of the next panic attack
- Fear or avoidance of places where you have previously had panic attacks
Panic Disorders vs. Anxiety
A panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder but it is not to be confused with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD or anxiety). There is some overlap, the chief of which being that panic attacks are a common symptom of anxiety. However, as a rule, anxiety tends to be characterized by stress that builds up based on a particular trigger. Panic disorders are characterized by frequent panic attacks that come on without warning and with no apparent trigger.
How Are Panic Disorders Diagnosed?
When you contract a mental health clinician for an evaluation, they will go over a list of questions and symptoms as outlined in the DSM-5. These questions will mainly point towards two chief symptoms: panic attacks and the persistent fear of when the next panic attack will strike; and any behavior or avoidance that may be aimed at preventing panic attacks.
Your clinician will also work to rule out any other condition, such as PTSD, phobias, or another anxiety disorder. These conditions include panic attacks as symptoms and may be the cause of your panic attacks, even if they are frequent.
Can a Panic Disorder Be Cured?
There is no absolute cure for panic disorders. They can, however, go into remission over the course of time and with treatment. You may be vulnerable to panic attacks for most of your life, but you can reach a point where those symptoms no longer disrupt or impair your life on a regular basis.
Treatment for Panic Disorders
The main treatment for panic disorders are either psychotherapy or medication. It is best to speak with your clinician about the right choice for you. In some cases, it may be a combination of the two.
Therapy
The goal of therapy is to guide you to a way of better managing and coping with your symptoms. To that end, there are two main therapies used to help with panic disorders. The first is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This is the most commonly used form of psychotherapy. It aims to help you reframe negative thought patterns. In doing so, you can change behaviors and learn healthier coping strategies.
Another form of therapy that can be used with panic disorders is exposure therapy. Through exposure therapy, you can gradually move out of your comfort zone into the places where you have had panic attacks in the past. If you avoid certain healthy behaviors for fear of panic attacks, your therapist will guide you to explore these behaviors as well. As you expose yourself to these elements without panic attacks, your resistance can grow.
Medication
For panic disorders, you may be prescribed antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication. Medication can help to correct the chemical imbalance causing the panic disorder, thus reducing your symptoms. The most common prescription is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). SSRIs engage the serotonin receptors in your brain, thus decreasing anxiety and increasing a sense of calm.
Caring For Yourself When You Have a Panic Disorder
Whether or not you have a panic disorder diagnosis, if you are having frequent panic attacks, you can still take steps to care for yourself and cope with your symptoms. Aside from seeking out treatment and adhering to that treatment, here are a few tips:
- Keep a record of your symptoms. Consider writing down any symptoms you may have experienced for the day. You can then discuss those with your therapist or counselor in your next session, or even your psychiatrist as a change in symptoms could call for a change in medication.
- Take care of your body. Get enough rest. Eat three nutritious meals each day. Try to make room for exercise where you can. When your body feels off, it can lead to feelings of lethargy or anxiety.
- Avoid caffeine and nicotine. Caffeine and nicotine can both increase anxiety. You may find yourself more prone to panic attacks when you take these substances. Illicit drugs could also have a negative impact on your mental health and could increase the instances of panic attacks.
- Engage your mind. When your mind is engaged, you can focus on the present moment or the task at hand. This can stave off anxiety that might increase the risk of panic attacks. Consider going for a hike, reading a book, or making plans for the day with friends.
Rivia Mind can help you find therapy and/or medication to help treat your symptoms of panic disorder, as well as other anxiety disorders. Our skilled and compassionate clinicians are here and ready to help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you or to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Resources:
- Panic Attacks & Panic Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment – The Cleveland Clinic
