Panic Disorder

Panic Attacks are characterized by the sudden onset of a feeling of terror, usually accompanied by a pounding heart, sweatiness, weakness, faintness, or dizziness. During these attacks, people with panic disorder often feel chilled; their hands may tingle or feel numb; and they may experience nausea, chest pain, or smothering sensations. Panic attacks often produce a sense of unreality, a fear of impending doom, or a fear of losing control.

A fear of one’s own physical symptoms is also a symptom of panic disorder. People having panic attacks sometimes believe they are losing control, about to faint, having a heart attack, losing their minds, or on the verge of death. They can’t predict when or where an attack will occur, which adds to the level of tension, and between episodes many worry intensively and dread the next attack.

Face your fears

Early treatment can often prevent agoraphobia, but people with panic disorder may sometimes go from doctor to doctor for years and visit the emergency room repeatedly before someone correctly diagnoses their condition. Panic disorder is one of the most treatable of all the anxiety disorders, responding in most cases to cognitive behavior therapy.

Panic disorder is often accompanied by other serious problems, such as depression which can often be treated conjointly with cognitive therapy.