Panic Disorder

Most people experience moments of panic or periods of anxiety, particularly in response to distressing events or situations. Sudden feelings of overwhelming panic and fear are often referred to as a panic attack and whilst these feelings are a common reaction to stressful situations, frequent and unexpected panic attacks could be a sign of panic disorder.

Key Points

Panic disorder refers to the experience of recurrent and disabling panic attacks which last up to a few minutes and are accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shaking, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Fear of losing control, of going ‘crazy’, or of dying are also common during a panic attack. People with panic disorder often worry about experiencing further panic attacks and, as a result, may start avoiding activities or certain situations to minimise or avoid the possibility of a future attack. In Australia, it is estimated that 5 per cent of the population will experience panic disorder in their lifetime, with women being more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than men. Symptoms of panic disorder can occur at any age, with the typical age of onset ranging from late adolescence to early adulthood.

Symptoms

Panic attacks are the main symptom of panic disorder. A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort which reaches a peak within several minutes and is accompanied by at least four of the following:

  • heart palpitations, or racing/pounding heart
  • shaking or trembling
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • nausea or abdominal upset
  • chills or heat sensations/sweats
  • dizziness, light-headedness, or feeling faint or unsteady
  • numbness or tingling sensations
  • derealisation (feelings of unreality) or depersonalisation (feelings of being detached from oneself)
  • fear of losing control or of ‘going crazy’
  • fear of dying.

Two types of panic attack have been identified: expected and unexpected. Expected panic attacks occur following a particular cue or trigger, for example, for some people being in a large crowd or in a lift might frequently trigger a panic attack. Unexpected panic attacks, on the other hand, do not have an identifiable cue or trigger and can occur at any time, even if the person is in a calm state or asleep.

For a diagnosis of panic disorder, a person must experience at least one unexpected panic attack followed by one month or more of:

  • ongoing concern or worry regarding the experience of further panic attacks or their consequences; and/or
  • changes in behaviour in order to prevent further attacks from happening, for example, the person may avoid situations where they fear a panic attack could occur, such as public transport.

Seeking Help

If syptoms of panic areaffecting your day-to-day life, a psychologist may be able to help. Psychologists are highly trained and qualified professionals, skilled in diagnosing and treating a range of mental health concerns, including panic disorder. A psychologist can help you to identify and manage the factors that contribute to your anxiety.

If you are experiencing similar problems, please contact us.
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source: aps

MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS