Panic Attack Disorder – What is Panic Attack Disorder?

Panic Attack Disorder – What is Panic Attack Disorder?

Panic disorder is a disorder that causes frequent, intense bouts of fear. This can be profoundly disabling and make it difficult to function normally in social contexts.

Treatment for anxiety attacks is usually successful. It involves teaching you coping skills and techniques to relax so the attack lasts less time and becomes easier to manage.

Your primary care doctor (GP) may refer you to a mental health specialist if your symptoms don’t improve after attending support groups, talking therapies and medication. A specialist will conduct a full assessment of your situation and create an action plan for managing symptoms.

Some people can recover without treatment, while for others the episodes may become frequent and disabling. These disruptions to relationships and work can have a variety of distressing symptoms such as lethargy (lack of energy), abnormal eye movement or allergic reactions.

You should be aware that panic and anxiety are common mental health conditions. They can be treated with medication, psychotherapy, stress management techniques and relaxation methods.

Identifying and understanding your triggers can help you prevent future attacks. For instance, abstaining from alcohol and caffeine may reduce the likelihood of experiencing an attack.

Eliminate smoking from your life to help avoid an attack. Smoking increases cortisol, a hormone which may trigger an attack in some individuals.

You can educate yourself about the symptoms of panic by reading books, articles, or watching videos about this subject. Recording your experiences and symptoms will also help you distinguish between an ordinary panic attack and one caused by panic disorder.