Panic disorder affects approximately one in 75 individuals, with the onset typically occurring during the teenage or early adulthood years. While the precise causes of the condition are unclear, evidence indicates that major life transitions can exacerbate the condition and that a genetic predisposition may make some people more vulnerable to it.
The hallmark of panic disorder, panic attacks involve a sudden and overwhelming fear without an obvious cause. Panic attacks occur when the body enters “fight or flight” mode or the sympathetic nervous system. The mind perceives an immediate physical danger and reacts accordingly by breathing in more oxygen and flooding the body with cortisol.
Often, individuals who experience panic attacks report a feeling that they are going crazy or even that they will die. Symptoms share many characteristics of a heart attack, including a racing heartbeat, trouble breathing, chest pain, or trembling and shaking. During a panic attack, individuals may feel a paralyzing fear coming out of nowhere. The feeling usually subsides after several minutes but can recur at any time without warning.
While panic attacks present no physical danger, they can be highly alarming. Additionally, because they feel so out of control, individuals prone to panic attacks can develop severe depression and may abuse substances as a coping mechanism. People with panic disorder often develop a phobia not to a specific event or object but to the panic attack itself. Avoiding any situation that may trigger a panic attack can lead to extreme social impairment.
The precise cause of panic disorders is unknown, though doctors suspect a combination of physical and psychological influences. In addition to a genetic predisposition, panic attacks often occur during stressful periods, such as after a loss. Women experience the condition at twice the rate of men.
Doctors or licensed therapists may have difficulty diagnosing panic disorder, as the condition shares symptoms with many other mental health problems. According to one study, patients have to visit an average of 10 doctors before receiving an accurate diagnosis, and even then, only one in four received appropriate treatment.
Having one or two panic attacks does not justify a panic disorder diagnosis. However, if the fear of a future attack affects the quality of life, or if a person has four or more panic attacks in a short amount of time, a doctor or mental health professional who specializes in anxiety or panic disorders may be able to help.
Several therapies can help individuals avoid panic attacks and develop healthy coping tools for when they occur. Usually, specialists will use a combination of cognitive and behavioral therapies, along with medication in some cases. First, a psychotherapist might help the patient understand what a panic disorder is. “Cognitive restructuring” can help individuals change their thoughts about panic attacks, replacing negative thoughts with more realistic, neutral, and even positive thoughts.
In cognitive therapy, individuals may learn to understand their triggers and create strategies for managing anxiety daily. They might practice exposure therapy on a behavioral level, which introduces certain elements of a panic attack (sweating, elevated heart rate) in a safe, controlled environment. By focusing on the present moment and realizing the symptoms need not escalate into an attack, patients can calm their intense fear. A therapist might also teach skills for progressively relaxing each muscle of the body at the onset of a panic attack.
The hallmark of panic disorder, panic attacks involve a sudden and overwhelming fear without an obvious cause. Panic attacks occur when the body enters “fight or flight” mode or the sympathetic nervous system. The mind perceives an immediate physical danger and reacts accordingly by breathing in more oxygen and flooding the body with cortisol.
Often, individuals who experience panic attacks report a feeling that they are going crazy or even that they will die. Symptoms share many characteristics of a heart attack, including a racing heartbeat, trouble breathing, chest pain, or trembling and shaking. During a panic attack, individuals may feel a paralyzing fear coming out of nowhere. The feeling usually subsides after several minutes but can recur at any time without warning.
While panic attacks present no physical danger, they can be highly alarming. Additionally, because they feel so out of control, individuals prone to panic attacks can develop severe depression and may abuse substances as a coping mechanism. People with panic disorder often develop a phobia not to a specific event or object but to the panic attack itself. Avoiding any situation that may trigger a panic attack can lead to extreme social impairment.
The precise cause of panic disorders is unknown, though doctors suspect a combination of physical and psychological influences. In addition to a genetic predisposition, panic attacks often occur during stressful periods, such as after a loss. Women experience the condition at twice the rate of men.
Doctors or licensed therapists may have difficulty diagnosing panic disorder, as the condition shares symptoms with many other mental health problems. According to one study, patients have to visit an average of 10 doctors before receiving an accurate diagnosis, and even then, only one in four received appropriate treatment.
Having one or two panic attacks does not justify a panic disorder diagnosis. However, if the fear of a future attack affects the quality of life, or if a person has four or more panic attacks in a short amount of time, a doctor or mental health professional who specializes in anxiety or panic disorders may be able to help.
Several therapies can help individuals avoid panic attacks and develop healthy coping tools for when they occur. Usually, specialists will use a combination of cognitive and behavioral therapies, along with medication in some cases. First, a psychotherapist might help the patient understand what a panic disorder is. “Cognitive restructuring” can help individuals change their thoughts about panic attacks, replacing negative thoughts with more realistic, neutral, and even positive thoughts.
In cognitive therapy, individuals may learn to understand their triggers and create strategies for managing anxiety daily. They might practice exposure therapy on a behavioral level, which introduces certain elements of a panic attack (sweating, elevated heart rate) in a safe, controlled environment. By focusing on the present moment and realizing the symptoms need not escalate into an attack, patients can calm their intense fear. A therapist might also teach skills for progressively relaxing each muscle of the body at the onset of a panic attack.
