The recent coronavirus pandemic alone has created the feeling of hysteria for thousands of people around the world. For others, loss of income, job insecurity, and taking care of sick love ones in their everyday lives can trigger mixed feelings or an emotional disorder.
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Overview
According to the Fear Disorder and Anxiety Clinic, “2.4 million Americans age 18-54 are likely to suffer from a panic attack disorder any given year.” Many people suffer from a panic attack and aren’t aware of the symptoms while others never receive the necessary diagnosis and treatment options to cope with the disorder.
Note: Women are more likely to suffer from a panic attack.
What Is A Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden feeling of fear or anxiety and may also have physical symptoms. In fact, it’s based on the perceived feelings of fear rather than actual imminent danger. A panic attack disorder is closely related to an anxiety disorder which includes symptoms of anxiety, panic attack, worry, and/or intrusive thoughts. In 2017, panic attacks among adults began to rise. Suffering from the disorder has the potential to impact several areas of an individual’s life including their friends and family.
Suffering from a panic attack can include symptoms of:
- increased heart rate
- loss of control
- feeling faint
- weakness
- increased sweating
- chills
- shortness of breath
- high blood pressure
- numbness in the extremities
- shaking
- confusion
However, medical experts suggest that each individual will experience different symptoms. Doctors evaluate their customers on a case by case basis. A doctor can diagnose and recommend the proper treatment options for individuals suffering from panic attacks. To determine if you’re suffering from the disorder, patients are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider. Fortunately, many people that suffer from panic attacks can get treatment options and recover successfully while others will suffer from the disorder throughout their lifetime.
What Do The Experts Have To Say?
Professionals suggest a patient can experience a few panic attacks and never experience a reoccurrence, but it can also be an ongoing issue. In fact, the symptoms can be a result of the conditions of the brain or the individual’s quality of life.
Panic attacks are oftentimes diagnosed and treated by a mental health professional, but it can also be diagnosed and treated by your primary care physician. However, some people that suffer from the disorder will use self-treatment options. Self-treatment options for any disorder are not highly recommended by the medical profession.
How To Recognize A Panic Attack?
To properly recognize a panic attack, it must be differentiated from another disorder. For example, you have to make sure it’s not another disorder or associate co-curring symptoms or a disorder with a panic attack.
Consequently, US Health News says, “a panic attack is explainable and treatable.” Oftentimes, the brain will tell you to retreat, but the body will tell you to stay put which puts an individual in conflict during a panic attack. More importantly, you have to recognize the symptoms of a panic attack and successfully control the symptoms. For instance, some people will experience high blood pressure or lightheadedness during the onset of a panic attack.
What Triggers A Panic Attack?
A panic attack can be triggered by different elements for each individual. Dr. Debra Kissen of the Light on Anxiety Treatment Center of Chicago says; “panic attacks can be a result of genetics.”
Thus, a panic attack can happen out of the blue, be a result of a hormonal imbalance, the result of alcohol/drugs, insufficient sleep, or the result of traumatic life experience. It’s important to know what triggers your symptoms.
How Is A Panic Attack Treated?
For an individual that’s experiencing a panic attack for the first time, it can create physical symptoms like a heart attack that results in a visit to the emergency room. A doctor will try to rule out another medical condition through a series of medical examinations and tests. Once other medical illnesses are ruled out, diagnosis and treatment options can begin.
An individual that recognizes the symptoms of a panic attack can be treated by a physician or therapist. In fact, therapy or medication may be required to treat a panic attack disorder.
Take a look at the video below to learn more about the symptoms of a panic attack and the treatment options:
The most empowering fact behind a panic disorder is that it can be treated. With the proper diagnosis and treatment options, a patient can recover successfully. The length of treatment depends on the patient and the severity of their condition. A physician or therapist can recommend the best treatment options for your unique recovery. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for your specific panic disorder symptoms.
What To Expect From Panic Disorder Treatment
Treatment options for a panic disorder may vary and includes counseling, therapy, group therapy, or holistic treatment options. In fact, a physician or therapist might recommend getting the proper amount of sleep, changing your diet, or exercise. All of these recommendations can help you recover from the symptoms or disorder of a panic attack. More importantly, a doctor is less likely to recommend prolong use of habit-forming anxiety medication by recommending a holistic approach to treating your disorder. However, for the best results, talk to your doctor about your symptoms and what treatment options are or aren’t working for your unique situation.
Talk to your family, friends, and/or employer about your panic disorder to allow them to help you through your recovery or to avoid situations that trigger your symptoms. More importantly, remember the worry of having a panic attack can also be a trigger and should also be avoided by trying to remain calm during incidents that can trigger your disorder. You’re not alone because millions of people suffer from the symptoms of a panic disorder, but it’s important to get a medical diagnosis and the best treatment options for your unique situation for a successful recovery.
