Symptoms of Panic Disorder

Adults with mental health problems have usually encountered stressful situations in their life such as raising their children, divorce, or death of a spouse. These situations influence their present life significantly. Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental health problems in the society today. There are five kinds of anxiety disorder, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, general anxiety disorder and phobias.

Panic disorder is described as chronic, with repeated and sudden panic attack. It could be a fear of impending danger even without any stimulus related to this. Irritable bowel syndrome is also associated in patients with panic disorder. After every attack patient worry over the next panic attack that will happen. On the other hand, panic attack is considered to be a symptom of several forms of anxiety disorders, and is described as disabling and distressing. Often, people with panic attack use alcohol to relieve stress.

The occurrence of panic disorder is usually in the late teen or early adulthood stages of life where in they are more unyielding to the changes they encounter. There are some cases when panic disorders occur in childhood. Women are two times more prone to having panic disorder than men and it can also be genetic in nature. It was also estimated that one to two percent of Americans suffers from panic disorder.

Since panic attacks are a symptom of panic disorder, it is essential to be familiar with the signs of having a panic attack. Patients may experience all of the symptoms or just a combination of two or more.

-Heart heavily pounding accompanied by chest pain or like having a heart attack
-profuse sweating
-shortness of breath
-choking sensation
-nausea with abdominal pain
-chills or hot flushes
-a fear of loosing control or having the thought of dying
-numbness
-trembling and shaking of hands and feet
-being disconnected to oneself and to reality

Symptoms of panic attack must be consulted to a health professional to be able differentiate the symptoms from other mental and physical conditions.

Treatment of panic disorder must be done by health professionals depending on their diagnosis. Usually medications or psychological rehabilitation is suggested or a combination of both is considered more effective. The doctor's prescription will depend on age, overall health, medical history and the severity of the disease. Relaxation techniques and biofeedback or controlling muscle tension may also be included in the treatment plan and procedure.

People with panic disorder try to avoid situations or events that stimulate the attacks. Like for example if they are not comfortable being in a crowded places, they should try to stay away from public places like shopping malls and usually exclude themselves from parties, concerts or any gathering. Panic attack can also affect working situations; stressful working condition can lead to hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue.

Panic disorder can make a big change in a person's life, usually the physical, emotional and social aspects are all affected.

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INFANT CPR AND CHOKING: Class meets quarterly and has a limit of 10 participants. 6:30 p.m. July 29, Pardee Hospital's orientation room, ground floor. $10. Call 866-790-WELL to register.