| Fear...heart palpitations...terror, a sense of impending | | | | There are many different reasons that a panic attack |
| doom...dizziness...fear of fear. The words used to | | | | may take place, but the most common explanation by |
| describe panic disorder are often frightening. But there | | | | far is stress. |
| is great hope: Treatment can benefit virtually everyone | | | | We all experience stress from time to time, but as this |
| who has this condition. It is extremely important for the | | | | stress builds up in the body, it can sometimes get to be |
| person who has panic disorder to learn about the | | | | overwhelming. Many people can deal with stress easily |
| problem and the availability of effective treatments | | | | and not even have to worry about it, while for others |
| and to seek help. | | | | their minds and bodies do not know what to do with |
| In panic disorder, brief episodes of intense fear are | | | | themselves and this can end up resulting in a panic |
| accompanied by multiple physical symptoms (such as | | | | attack. Although stress may be one of the most major |
| heart palpitations and dizziness) that occur repeatedly | | | | contributing factors to panic attacks, it is important to |
| and unexpectedly in the absence of any external | | | | realize that they are no longer being dismissed as |
| threat. These "panic attacks," which are the hallmark of | | | | minor incidences but rather are recognized as being a |
| panic disorder, are believed to occur when the brain's | | | | potentially disabling but treatable condition. |
| normal mechanism for reacting to a threat - the | | | | There are actually quite a few different treatment |
| so-called "fight or flight" response - becomes | | | | methods that are available to help with panic attacks. |
| inappropriately aroused. Most people with panic | | | | Medication is one of the most commonly used |
| disorder also feel anxious about the possibility of | | | | treatment methods for panic attacks, and |
| having another panic attack and avoid situations in | | | | antidepressant medications are most commonly |
| which they believe these attacks are likely to occur. | | | | prescribed. This includes Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac as |
| Anxiety about another attack, and the avoidance it | | | | the top three antidepressants, although many others |
| causes, can lead to disability in panic disorder. | | | | are available as well. Cognitive behavior therapy has |
| The disorder typically begins in young adulthood, but | | | | also proven to be very effective at treating panic |
| older people and children can be affected. Women are | | | | attacks. This is a type of therapy where you are |
| affected twice as frequently as men. While people of | | | | taught how to better understand and deal with your |
| all races and social classes can have panic disorder, | | | | panic attacks. The psychiatrist will work with you and |
| there appear to be cultural differences in how individual | | | | help you to recognize the different things in life that |
| symptoms are expressed. | | | | tend to trigger your panic attacks, and learn how to |
| A panic attack is something that is very important to | | | | deal with them so that they are not triggers in the |
| understand. An alarming number of people suffer from | | | | future. |
| panic attacks on a regular basis, and you may even | | | | For instance if you are avoiding certain situations in life |
| be experiencing panic attacks and not even know it. | | | | because of your panic attacks, this cognitive behavior |
| Panic attacks can be incredibly frightening and may | | | | therapy will help you to overcome this avoidance, |
| even make you feel as though you are dying. A panic | | | | which most likely is affecting your quality of life. |
| attack can happen anywhere at any time, without | | | | Therapy should be a long term process and if you |
| giving you any type of advance warning. A panic | | | | take it seriously you are likely to see some great |
| attack may occur when you are alone, out with family | | | | results. |
| and friends, or even wake you from a sound sleep. | | | | |