Panic Disorder

Have you ever experienced sudden and intense episodes of fear or discomfort that come on rapidly and reach a peak within minutes? These are called panic attacks, and if they happen frequently and disrupt your life, you might have Panic Disorder.

What is Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder is characterized by:

• Recurring panic attacks: These episodes can be triggered by specific situations (situational panic disorder) or seemingly out of the blue (non-situational panic disorder).
• Intense physical symptoms: During a panic attack, you might experience rapid heart rate, sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or nausea.
• Fear of losing control or going crazy: The physical symptoms and intensity of panic attacks can be scary, leading to a fear of losing control or going insane, even though it’s not true.
• Avoidance behavior: To avoid experiencing another panic attack, you might start avoiding places or situations where you’ve had panic attacks before, causing significant limitations in your daily life.

It’s important to note:

• Not everyone who experiences a panic attack has panic disorder.
• Panic disorder can be highly disruptive and debilitating, but it’s treatable.

How can you seek help?

If you suspect you might have panic disorder, seeking professional help from a therapist can make a significant difference. They can provide tools and strategies to manage panic attacks, such as:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts and beliefs that contribute to panic attacks.
• Exposure therapy: Gradually confronting feared situations in a safe and controlled environment to reduce anxiety.
• Relaxation techniques: Learning to manage physical symptoms of anxiety through techniques like deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.

Remember:

Panic disorder is treatable, and with the right support, you can learn to manage your anxiety and live a full and fulfilling life without fear of panic attacks controlling you.