Overcoming Panic Disorder
Posted on: July 31st, 2013
Stress is a normal part of everyday life. Events such as a holiday trip with family, divorce, or a move into a new home lead to varying levels of anxiety. However, the onset of a feeling of fear or danger, often an impending sense of doom for no particular reason, is more characteristic of a panic attack or panic disorder. There are physical symptoms as well. Individuals can have sweaty palms, shortness of breath, nausea and even chest pain, and often panic attacks are mistaken for heart attacks. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, six million Americans over the age of eighteen are affected by panic disorder, and it is twice as common in women as in men.
So often one reads that panic attacks have no “harmful” effects, as the condition tends to build to a peak after about ten minutes and then subside. However, one aspect of panic disorder which is “harmful” is that individuals prone to panic attacks are terrified of the next one. Some people worry about driving in case a panic attack occurs while they’re behind the wheel; others worry about going to public places, fearing there will be no clear exit should they experience an attack. Since panic attacks tend to be quite sudden and often reoccur over a period of a few hours, the anticipation of having one can lead to a sense of helplessness and loss of control. So whereas the physical effects are temporary, panic disorder can be very disruptive, because the innate fear of having a panic attack can become all consuming and lead to avoidance behavior.
Panic disorder can be treated. Typically a combination of cognitive behavior therapy and medication can help a person isolate the triggers of his/her panic attacks and learn how to control them. Some triggers might be biological, but others may be due to stressors in the environment which can be identified. Through psychotherapy, a person can learn to become desensitized to the trigger(s). So, if you or a family member has a concern or history of panic disorder, contact Maureen Kritzer-Lange Psychotherapy for an evaluation.
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