More often than not, medical cases are normally connected. There are times when a recurrence, fall back, or uncured problem or sickness leads into a bigger problem, such as bulimia is often associated with anorexia. This is alike with panic disorder and anxiety attacks. A panic disorder is seen in recurrent episodes of anxiety attacks.
Anxiety attacks are also known as a panic attack. These are described as periods of intense anxiety with symptoms that could be classified as physical or mental. These attacks are triggered out of the blue and may possibly last for at least 30 minutes. An abrupt onset may only continue for 15 seconds and may carry on and attain its climax at 10 minutes. Whilst the symptoms may differ from one person to another, a person who experiences this for the first time may feel like he or she is having a heart attack and may phone emergency services. Nervous breakdowns are also confused with this. The DSM-IV diagnostic criteria define panic attacks as a period of severe terror with four or more symptoms abruptly developing and reaching its peak at 10 minutes. The 13 symptoms are: palpitations or increased heart rate; choking, chest pain, abdominal discomfort, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, feeling lightheaded, feeling unattached to reality, fear of losing control, fear of death, numbness, and chills.
A panic disorder may be considered when recurring episodes cause somebody to constant anxiety about having recurring attacks and bring about behavioural changes within a month. Sufferers who develop this for the first time are between the ages 25 to 30. Statistics demonstrate clearly that women are more vulnerable to acquire this than men. Studies prove that there is a relation with alcohol, smoking, usage of other sedatives and stressful events in one’s life. Medical doctors utilize the DSM-IV-TR criteria to diagnose their patients. Four conditions must be fulfilled, in this criterion.
- To begin with, a person should have repeated and sudden episodes and at least one attack has been followed by any of the following for one month: concern about the consequences of the attacks, having other attacks, or behavioural change related to the attacks.
- The next condition considers the existence, or absence thereof, of agoraphobia, which is being afraid of doing something uncomfortable.
- The third states that the attack is not a direct effect of any substance or medical illness.
- And last but not least, the problem is not better described or related to another psychological disorder such as: a phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or separation anxiety disorder.
The remedies for panic disorder and anxiety attacks are practically identical: medications and psychotherapy. Regardless of the fact, there are available treatments, sufferers need appropriate support and care to assist them to cope and overcome this problem.
