Thursday, September 10, 2009

Facts About Panic Disorder

By Les Evans

If you constantly have bouts of irrational fear and terror, heart palpitations, dizziness or a sense they are impending, then you might be suffering from a panic disorder. There are already a number of treatments for people who are experiencing frequent panic attacks but choosing the best one can be difficult, especially if you don't understand the disorder you are battling with.

The presence of panic attacks may be one important indicator that you are already suffering from panic disorder. Usually, this situation is characterized by dizziness and fast heartbeat coincided by intense fear, among other indicators. Also, it may attack repeatedly, usually at the most unexpected time. In fact, it also wrongly activates a body's fight or flight response system. A person experiencing panic disorder would very likely avoid believed circumstances where attacks may take place.

In the US alone, 3 million people are already suffering from panic attacks at least once in their entire lifetime. Usually, it affects young adults, but may also likewise affect adults and children. Anxiety attacks panic attacks are more often experienced by women and it affects persons of all races.

Without warning, panic attacks happen at random and it may last from just a few minutes to several hours. Prior difficult and stressful experiences like death or childbirth can induce these kinds of attacks. Consumption of substances and other medicines may also be probable causes of it. Fortunately, even people may experience panic attacks occasionally; most likely, it will not develop into a panic disorder,

Of course the majority of people, fortunately, will not suffer a fully developed panic disorder only occasionally be subject to panic attacks of a milder nature.

Whenever you regularly experience recurrences of panic attacks, then it may be one important indicator of panic disorder. Such terms as the fear and anticipatory anxiety also refer to panic disorder. It may threaten one's life when left untreated. For instance, whenever attacks come while driving a car or riding an elevator, then the patient may avoid these activities altogether. May be in work or interpersonal relationships and even everyday routine, may be adversely affected by such kind of attacks.

People who are experiencing a panic disorder can have anxiety attacks panic attacks even during sleep. The situation becomes so harrowing at times that many who have this disorder are afraid to go to sleep and that can worsen their situation.

If left untreated, panic disorder can develop into a condition known as agoraphobia. In this case, a person becomes afraid of any place or situation where escaping might be difficult or getting help might be unavailable. Most people who have agoraphobia fear being in crowds, standing in line, riding cars and even entering malls. People with agoraphobia are unable to leave home and can be seriously disabled by their condition.

Ways to treat a panic disorder: Seeking treatment for panic disorder is important not only to stop panic attacks but also to prevent the disorder from progressing. Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered as the first line of defense and probably the most effective, too. In this method, patients are taught to understand the thoughts and feelings that come with attacks. Therapists help patients recognize the first signs of an attack so they can modify their responses to them. This way, patients can have greater control over their problem.

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