Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Introduction
A slight experience of fear and anxiety is completely normal in stressful situations. Have you ever felt the sensation of overwhelming fear and never known the reason behind this? This situation usually arises when an individual is engrossed in negative thoughts that are constantly revolving in their head.
There are different symptoms of panic disorders. Some might feel deadly pain in their chest and a choking sensation, while others experience nausea and heavy sweating.
Many people have experienced a panic attack once or twice in their lives, but frequent panic attacks can lead to a mental condition known as panic disorder. These panic attacks are extremely fearful and create a long-term effect that can disturb your personal life.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve deep into the world of panic disorder and explore the causes, symptoms, and the crucial difference between panic attacks. You'll learn how panic disorder is diagnosed and discover effective treatment options, including therapy and medication.
What Is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is a mental health condition in which a person experiences unexpected panic attacks, intense fear, and heightened emotional breakouts. Panic disorder symptoms are clearly visible in an individual, which can include getting extremely tensed, heavy breathing, a high rate of heartbeat, etc. In most cases, panic disorder can be due to a triggering event or discomforting situation.
Types of Panic Disorder
The research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health states that more than 6 million adults are suffering from panic disorders. Mental disorders can be very harmful to a person’s day-to-day life and can cause stress while interfering with their daily chores.
There are several types of anxiety disorders, but let's explore some of the most common ones:
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder: Constantly feeling fear and worry over little things can be a sign of generalised anxiety disorder. Patients may feel intense fear in a risky situation. A person suffering from generalised anxiety disorder can notice a disruption in their daily activities due to anxiety and stress.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: OCD is a mental health disorder due to intense fear and anxiety. People with this disorder usually lose control over any task and feel compulsive to do the task repeatedly.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: In this disorder, people are usually afraid of losing the image and reputation they have created in society. They learn to ignore every possible social interaction just to avoid this fear.
- Phobias: Phobias are basically fear; experiencing fear from any object, image, or scenario is considered a phobia. The extent of fear may rise even in a situation of negligible danger. Generally, people experience phobias from heights, insects, dogs, etc., which might turn worse when they experience the situation.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Post-traumatic stress disorder will make you feel detached from everyone near you. Any frightening near-death experience or traumatic experience will lead to this condition. Post-traumatic stress can leave you with long-term effects, which can make you feel sad.
What Causes Panic Disorder?
The causes of panic disorder are yet to be fully discovered, and therefore the research is still underway. Moreover, below we have mentioned several factors that can be the cause of panic disorder.
Genetics
While research suggests that genetics may play a role in the development of panic disorder, the exact relationship between genes and this condition remains complex and multifaceted. Studies have identified potential genetic markers, such as variations in the COMT gene, which may increase susceptibility. However, it's important to note that these genetic factors are likely just one piece of the puzzle.
There are many environmental factors that play a significant role in the development of panic disorder, which can include life stress, trauma, and anxiety sensitivity. This suggests that a combination of genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the condition. Further research is needed to fully understand the interplay between genetics and other factors in the development of panic disorder.
Lifestyle
One of the biggest causes of panic disorders is associated with lifestyle and events that take place in an individual's life. Some changes in an individual's life create a positive impact, and some traumatic experiences turn the life upside down. These changes can be anything like moving to a new city, someone's death, facing any failure, etc.
Anxiety
There are high chances that if a person is suffering from an anxiety disorder, then they might develop symptoms of panic disorder as well. Due to sensitive conditions during anxiety, they may easily get triggered by a risky situation. Feeling a little anxious over an unusual situation is normal, but feeling the same rush every time can turn into a panic disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of Panic Disorder
Our body, with the help of the nervous system, gives responses in every situation. The response could be anything: either you fight the situation or flee from it. People with panic disorder show several symptoms, like:
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Changes in Behaviour:
- Avoiding every type of social interaction and isolating themselves
- Seeking help and avoiding being alone
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Changes in the Physical Body:
- Sudden trembling and shaking of hands
- Unusual sweating
- Feeling choked
- Rapid breathing and increased rate of heartbeat
- Experienced numbness in any part of the body
- Unusual chest pain and abdominal pain
- Constant feeling of dizziness
Changes in mindset
The person suffering from panic disorder starts to believe that all these things and the world are not real. This feeling is particularly known as derealisation. The person might also feel detached from their own feelings, detached from their own body, and start observing the world from a third-person perspective, which is known as depersonalisation. Psychological changes
The person suffering from panic disorder may start losing focus even on the necessary things. They might also lose self-control over actions and many significant physical changes. The person might suffer from constant fear of the future and fear of dying or getting harmed.
Psychological changes
The person suffering from panic disorder may start losing focus even on the necessary things.
They might also lose self-control over actions and many significant physical changes.
The person might suffer from constant fear of the future and fear of dying or getting harmed.
Diagnosis of Panic Disorder
It is recommended that you undergo a comprehensive physical examination to accurately assess your overall health and identify any potential underlying medical conditions.
For the psychological examination, you need to answer the therapist's questions and tell them about your life history and present. You have to tell them about any life-changing event or any traumatic experiences. Also, therapists will ask you about your fears and other symptoms. You also have to answer questions about any substance abuse.
Criteria for Diagnosis of Panic Disorder
After the confirmation of panic disorder, a diagnosis can take place. According to the American Psychiatric Association's published statistical manual of mental disorders, the criteria for diagnosis are mentioned below:
- You might experience several panic attacks. In worse cases, these panic attacks can be more frequent.
- Also You will start to fear these attacks and lose control of your mind. You may start behaving desperately at any place.
- No substance abuse can cause panic disorders. Your mental condition is the reason behind panic disorder symptoms.
Treatment Options
No medication can remove these panic disorders from your life. However, there are many treatment options available to choose from that can help in lowering the severity and frequency of the symptoms. Taking panic disorder treatment will provide you with many benefits. Therefore, let us learn about the treatment options available for panic disorders.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves verbal communication with mental health specialists. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the types of psychotherapy in which the therapist makes you understand how your feelings and thoughts are connected with your actions. Once you learn to manipulate your actions without creating any panic moments, your problem is solved.
Medications
Medication can also help you reduce the symptoms of panic disorders. There are various types of medication that can benefit you, out of which a few are mentioned below:
-
The Food and Drug Administration has approved several selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),
which are:
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Another level of antidepressants is the SNRI venlafaxine (Effexor XR), which is also approved by the FDA to be effective for panic disorders.
- Another medicine class that is effective for panic disorders is sedatives. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Klonopin, are mostly used. However, sedatives cannot be used as long-term treatment because they are addictive in nature.
All these drugs can reduce the symptoms of panic disorder and make you feel calm at that moment, but proper diagnosis under medical expertise is important for panic disorder treatment.
Panic Attack vs. Panic Anxiety
Panic attacks and panic anxiety are both mental disorders that can cause significant fear in the mind, but they still have distinct characteristics.of which a few are mentioned below:
Panic Attack
- Panic attacks are marked by brief and sudden episodes of fear or discomfort that often peak within a few minutes.
- Panic attacks are often accompanied by a cluster of physical symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
- Panic attacks can occur unexpectedly, without a clear trigger.
- A hallmark of panic attacks is the fear of losing control or dying.
- Panic attacks typically occur repeatedly and can significantly impact daily life.
Panic Anxiety
- Anxiety attacks, on the other hand, can be more gradual and sustained, lasting longer periods.
- Anxiety attacks may also involve physical symptoms, but they are generally less intense and more varied.
- Anxiety attacks are triggered due to some specific stress or situation.
- Anxiety attacks may involve feelings of worry or apprehension, but the fear of imminent danger is less pronounced.
- Anxiety attacks may be less frequent and may not interfere with functioning as much.
Common Myths and Misconceptions
Panic disorder is a mental health condition characterised by frequent and unexpected panic attacks. However, there are many myths that are still believed about panic disorder. Therefore, below are some of the common myths and facts you should be aware of:
Myth: There is no difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks.
Fact: Uncontrolled anxiety, which can cause severe panic attacks leading to uncontrollable behavior, is known as panic disorder.
Myth: Panic attacks can lead to fainting.
Fact: Panic attacks are not the reason for fainting. Fainting can be due to dehydration, low blood pressure, fear, drugs, etc.
Myth: Panic attacks can create harmful situations.
Fact: Panic attacks can be terrifying and upsetting, but they are not life-threatening.
Myth: Overreacting to any triggering situation causes anxiety or panic disorder.
Fact: Stress and anxiety are the main reasons that contribute to panic disorders, but they are not considered overreactions.
Myth: Deep breathing can help during panic attacks.
Fact: Deep breathing is a coping mechanism; it is not going to stop the panic attack.
Myth: Medication is permanent for those who are experiencing panic disorder.
Fact: Not everyone needs medication; some people require other methods of treatment.
Myth: Individuals with panic disorder go insane and get uncontrollable.
Fact: Individuals with panic disorder may feel uncontrollable, but the intensity may vary from person to person and situation to situation.
Myth: You have to ignore triggering points or events of panic disorder.
Fact: Some therapists use exposure therapy to treat this panic disorder.
Living with Panic Disorder
Panic attacks are not the same for everyone. Some individuals may feel like they are going to die in those situations, while others handle them according to their strength. Below are some significant symptoms and consequences of a life with panic disorder are discussed below:
- Panic attacks involve heavy chest pain and severe difficulty breathing. These situations may make the person feel like they are going to die due to these miserable scenarios.
- The person may lose control of their body and face problems in moving limbs and other body parts.
- Also, they can develop feelings of detachment, derealisation, and depersonalisation.
- The person might feel miserable if they have experienced panic attacks in public. In an attempt to prevent such occurrences in the future, they may begin distancing themselves from any social interaction.
- They start avoiding every situation or event that has even a slight possibility of triggering their disorder, reflecting how miserable their day-to-day life has become.
How to Support Loved Ones
Panic disorder treatment can be a terrifying and isolating experience. When a loved one is struggling with this condition, you can also feel miserable and confused. Knowing how to help your friend or someone suffering from panic disorder can make a significant change in their treatment journey.
Establish Belief
Make them feel they have control of the issue. Believe in them and provide them a sense of security that they are not alone in this. Feeling like being with someone will definitely release some stress.
Keep the Environment Calm
Make sure when they are having a panic attack, you are taking it calmly. You don't have to overreact or fear the situation. Your patience and calming voice can console them and prevent a more destructive nature.
Distract Them
Panic disorder is mainly due to excessive negative thoughts and heightened negative emotions. You can distract them and shift their mind to the good things that are happening. Make them believe in the positivity around them.
Importance of Breathing
When someone has a panic attack, their breathing often goes haywire. They might breathe too fast, too slow, too shallow, or too deeply. This can make the panic worse; therefore, you should learn the art of breathing to help make your body and mind calm when the situation arises.
Make Sure They Are Fit and Healthy
Imagine a puzzle in which panic attacks are one piece, but there are other pieces that fit together to make the whole picture. These other pieces can make the panic attacks worse or harder to treat. It's important to see a therapist who can diagnose the individual and provide treatment accordingly.
Make sure you are being honest with them about their symptoms and actions. Try to create a healthy and happy atmosphere around them because residential treatment is also important. You can make these efforts to ensure their healthy recovery. Your support will let them believe that they can overcome this miserable state.
How Does Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre Help You in Treatment for Panic Disorder?
Jagruti prioritizes delivering exceptional care and panic disorder treatment plans for individuals suffering from a wide range of neuropsychological disorders. Their approach is a collaborative, family-centered model that empowers patients to manage their symptoms effectively and live fulfilling lives. Jagruti's team of specialists is constantly working to not only improve the patient's quality of life but also extend support to family members coping with these chronic conditions.