Panic Disorder: Panic Attacks and Agoraphobia

Definition

Panic disorder means anxiety in its most severe form. It is an anxiety disorder, that may be occur due to unexpected and recurrent episodes of intense apprehension, terror, and impending doom, and it usually accompanied by physical symptoms that mimic a heart attack or other serious medical condition. It ia associated with specific situations, places or tasks. As the attacks become more frequent, then person commonly develops agoraphobia, also known as phobic and you should avoid the avoidance of those situations, places, or tasks that may lead to attacks. It may also occur with other disorders, such as depression and substance abuse. It may also be triggered by severe separation anxiety experienced during early childhood.

Causes of Panic attacks

Panic attacks may be occur due to various causes. The exact cause of panic disorder isn't known. But other various factors that may cause such as physical, psychological and biological factors such as heredity. Recent evidence indicates that alterations in brain biochemistry, especially in norepinephrine, serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid activity, may also contribute to panic disorder. Recent research suggests that the abnormal activation of the amygdala is associated with anxiety disorders.

Symptoms of Panic attacks

Physical examination of the patient during a panic attack may reveal signs of intense anxiety, such as:

• Hyperventilation
• Tachycardia
• Palpitations
• Dizziness
• Trembling and profuse sweating
• Difficulty breathing
• Digestive disturbances
• Chest pain

Treatment of Panic attacks

If you have this disease, then you should be use Possible treatment such as:

• Treatment for Panic disorder is behavioral-cognitive therapy. In which behavioral-cognitive therapy, it works best when agoraphobia accompanies panic disorder because identifying the anxiety-inducing situation is easier.
• Another treatment for this disease is supportive psychotherapy. In which supportive psychotherapy, it commonly uses cognitive techniques to enable the patient to view anxiety provoking situations more realistically and to recognize panic symptoms as a misinterpretation of essentially harmless physical sensations.
• You should also avoid stimulants such as caffeine and cocaine and also avoid alcohol use if you are prone to panic attacks.
• You can also use drug therapy for the treatment of panic disorder. In which Drug therapy includes anti anxiety drugs, such as diazepam, alprazolam, and clonazepam, and beta-adrenergic blockers such as propranolol to provide symptomatic relief. Antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and monoamine oxidase (MAD) inhibitors, are also effective.
• You should avoid touching the patient until you've established rapport. Unless she trusts you, she may be too stimulated or frightened to find touch reassuring.
• You can also treat this disease by allowing the patient to pace around the room to help expend energy. Show her how to take slow, deep breaths if she's hyperventilating.