Panic disorder can continue for months or years, depending on how and when treatment is pursued. If left untreated, symptoms may become so severe that a person has significant problems with their friends, family, or job. Some people may experience several months or years of frequent symptoms, then many symptom-free years. In others, symptoms persist at the same level indefinitely. There is some evidence that many people, particularly those whose symptoms begin at an early age, may naturally experience a partial or even complete reduction in symptoms after middle age.
Risk factors can be temperamental i. The exact causes of panic disorder are not known, but like many other anxiety disorders, panic disorder runs in families, meaning that inheritance may play a strong role in determining who becomes affected by it. In fact, panic disorder is often found in combination with other hereditary disorders such as bipolar disorder and alcoholism. However, many people without a family history of panic disorder develop it.
Malfunctioning in brain areas such as the amygdala and adrenaline glands may cause an overproduction of certain chemicals which produce the physical symptoms. Other biological factors, stressful life events, and exaggerated thinking about common bodily reactions are also believed to play a role in the onset of panic disorder. A panic attack occurs when this response happens when there is no danger.
Some people are more sensitive to anxiety and panic than others. Panic attacks and panic disorder may be more likely if you have a family history of panic disorder. They sometimes happen with no clear cause.
You have a higher chance of getting panic disorder if you have a parent with depression or bipolar disorder. Some people have a fear of being in crowds, standing in line, or going into shopping malls. They are afraid of having another panic attack or of not being able to escape. This problem is called agoraphobia. It can be so bad for some people that they never leave their homes. Your doctor will ask about your past health and do a physical exam.
The exam may include listening to your heart, checking your blood pressure, and ordering blood tests to look for other causes of your problem. Treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder includes counseling, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT.
Medicines may also help. Treatment can help most people control or even stop attacks. But symptoms can come back, especially if you stop treatment too soon.
Early treatment of panic attacks is very important. It can prevent other problems related to panic disorder. These problems include depression , anxiety disorders , and substance use disorder. The exact cause of panic disorder isn't clear.
This may be from your family history or past experiences. You may have seen your parents or other family members experience anxiety. Or you may have experienced traumatic events in your past. You may be very sensitive to how your body reacts to anxiety-causing experiences. You may mistake your body's reaction as harmful and begin to fear your body's reaction.
This is called a cycle of panic. The same experiences that cause you panic may not cause panic in others. The main symptom of a panic attack is an overwhelming feeling of fear or anxiety. This feeling occurs along with physical reactions. An attack starts suddenly and usually lasts from 5 to 20 minutes. You feel most anxious about 10 minutes into the attack. It is possible to have one panic attack after another in waves for an extended period of time.
This can seem like one continuous attack. But if you have continuous symptoms that don't go away within an hour, you probably aren't having a panic attack. You should seek medical care right away. The symptoms of a panic attack can be similar to those of a heart attack. Many people seek emergency medical treatment for a panic attack for this reason. If you have chest pain and other symptoms of a heart attack , get medical treatment right away.
For more information, see the topic Chest Problems. Panic attacks may begin without a trigger. Or they can be linked to certain situations, such as being in large crowds of people in restaurants or stadiums. Sometimes just knowing that you'll be in a certain situation can cause severe anxiety. People who have panic attacks often learn to avoid situations that they fear will trigger a panic attack or situations where they will not be able to escape easily if a panic attack occurs.
If this pattern of avoidance and anxiety is severe, it can become agoraphobia , an intense and irrational fear of being in public places. Isolating yourself and avoiding social situations can interfere with your ability to work. It can also harm your relationships, especially with your family members and close friends. Panic attacks aren't common in children or younger teens.
But children who have panic disorder or panic attacks often have other symptoms in addition to those listed above. A first panic attack often starts without warning during an ordinary activity such as shopping or walking down the street.
For many people, the first panic attack may occur a stressful time. It may happen during a life-threatening illness or accident, the loss of a relationship, or separation from family. A woman may have her first panic attack after she gives birth. It is also possible for a first panic attack to be caused by a drug reaction or a reaction to nicotine or caffeine.
But after the situation that caused the first panic attack is resolved, attacks may continue. Recurrent panic attacks can be mild to severe. They may continue for years, especially if you also have agoraphobia avoiding places where you fear another attack will occur. You may have long periods of time without panic attacks. And you may have other periods of time when attacks occur often.
You may need longer or different treatment if you have both panic disorder and agoraphobia. You may also have other conditions linked with panic disorder and panic attacks, such as drug or alcohol problems, depression, or other mental health disorders. You will need treatment for these conditions.
Panic disorder may last a lifetime, but its symptoms can be controlled with treatment. Most people who have panic disorder get better with treatment. They are able to get back to a normal lifestyle. But relapse can occur, especially if treatment is stopped too soon. It can be hard to tell the difference between the symptoms of a panic attack such as shortness of breath and chest pain and the symptoms of a heart attack or another serious medical problem. If you have symptoms of a panic attack, be sure to get medical care right away so that other medical conditions can be ruled out.
The following health professionals can diagnose panic attacks. They may work together with other health professionals to treat panic attacks and panic disorder:.
Many community mental health centers, hospital outpatient clinics, and family service agencies have treatment programs for people with panic disorder. You may be diagnosed with panic disorder if you have at least two unexpected panic attacks along with fear or worry about having another panic attack and avoiding situations that may trigger it.
The doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms. He or she will listen to your heart and check your blood pressure. You may get blood tests. The doctor may need to rule out other physical conditions that have symptoms similar to panic disorder, such as a heart attack or hyperthyroidism. The differences between anxiety and panic attacks are best highlighted by comparing the symptoms of each condition:.
However, several panic attacks can occur in a row, making it seem like an attack is lasting for much longer. After an attack, many people feel stressed, worried, or otherwise unusual for the rest of the day. Symptoms may become more pronounced over a few minutes or hours. They are typically less intense than those of panic attacks. Anxiety symptoms often last longer than the symptoms of a panic attack. They may persist for days, weeks, or months.
A doctor or mental health professional can diagnose a panic attack, panic disorder, or anxiety disorder. These professionals cannot diagnose an anxiety attack, because it is not a clinically defined condition in the DSM They can, however, recognize the symptoms of anxiety. To diagnose any of these conditions, a doctor will discuss symptoms and life events. They may also perform a psychological evaluation to see what category, if any, the symptoms fall into.
The symptoms of a panic or anxiety attack can be extremely frightening. Acknowledging the situation and remembering that symptoms will soon pass can reduce anxiety and fear. To slow breathing down, focus the attention on the breath. Inhale and exhale at a slow and steady rate until symptoms subside.
Methods of relaxation, such as progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery, can reduce feelings of panic and anxiety. If your symptoms do not improve after CBT, medicine and connecting with a support group, your GP may refer you to a mental health specialist such as a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
The specialist will carry out an assessment and devise a treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms. Animated video explaining self-referral to psychological therapies services for stress, anxiety or depression.
For more help, read how to deal with panic attacks. Panic disorder can have a big impact on your life, but support is available. It might help to speak to other people with the same condition, or to connect with a charity.
Find anxiety services in your area. Panic disorder is treatable and you can make a full recovery. But it's best to get medical help as soon as you can. If you do not get medical help, panic disorder can escalate and become very difficult to cope with. You're more at risk of developing other mental health conditions, such as agoraphobia or other phobias , or an alcohol or drug problem.
Having panic disorder may affect your ability to drive. Visit GOV. UK for further information about driving with a disability or health condition. As with many mental health conditions, the exact cause of panic disorder is not fully understood.
Panic attacks can be particularly hard for children and young people to deal with. Severe panic disorder may affect their development and learning.
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