Panic Attack Disorder

Panic attack disorder, is a condition wherein a particular individual experiences a series of frequent panic attack, i.e. an abrupt episode of intense anxiety which triggers several mental as well as physical reactions, such as fear and stomach problems, for no apparent reason. An individual may experience panic attack at any point of time without warning. It gives rise to a fear in the mind of the individual to such an extent that the person tries his best to avoid those situations, wherein panic attacks may occur.

Panic Attack Symptoms
Panic attack symptoms vary from individual to individual. Some individual may experience only one or two symptoms, while another may experience many more. These symptoms can last from about 10 minutes to half an hour. An individual suffering from panic attack disorder can show signs of nausea, hyperventilation and dizziness. He may experience excessive sweating, headache, chills, breathlessness and tightness in throat. His heart rate will increase; he will start trembling and have a weird feeling, such as his life will end. Panic attack strikes without warning and more importantly no obvious causes of panic attack have been identified. This makes it difficult to prevent panic attack and hence the individual always lives with this fear in his mind.

Causes of Panic Attack Disorder
The exact causes which trigger panic attacks anxiety disorder are not known, but it is assumed that this disorder can be triggered by stress or certain changes in the functioning of our brain. Some studies also reveal that panic attack disorder can be genetic. A few researches suggest that panic attack is our body's natural defense mechanism against danger, but this has been an issue of debate as there have been several cases wherein people have suffered panic attack even when there was no apparent danger in sight.

Panic Attack Diagnosis
In order to be diagnosed with panic attack disorder; the individual should meet the criteria ascertained by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Panic attack diagnosis include several examinations and tests. It is important to determine whether the individual is suffering from panic attack disorder or some other ailment which has similar panic symptoms. In physical examination, the doctor will check heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, abdomen, weight, etc. He may also recommend to take a complete blood count (CBC) and thyroid test to eliminate the chances of other physical ailments which can trigger panic symptoms. The doctor may also counsel the patient about the symptoms that are observed, as well as day-to-day life. Stress can trigger panic attack disorder, so a proper case study in terms of psychological evaluation is necessary. Substance abuse, if any, should be promptly brought to the notice during psychological evaluation.

Panic Attack Disorder Treatment
Panic attack disorder can be treated by medication and psychotherapy. Various types of medicines have shown the desired effects in curbing the symptoms of panic attack disorder. Some medicines used for this include depression medications such as SSRIs, MAOIs and SNRIs. Even mild sedatives, such as benzodiazoines, have the desired effects on the individuals suffering from panic attack disorder. Other than these medications, psychotherapy is also useful in panic attack treatments. Such therapies help the individual to understand what panic attack is and how should one cope up with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used psychotherapy to treat people with panic attack disorder.

Panic attacks can be very stressful and causes unnecessary fear in your mind, making life further difficult. One of the most important things to remember is that not everyone who suffers from panic attack have panic attack disorder. In some cases, individuals just get one or two panic attacks in the lifetime, while in some, they are much more frequent.