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Panic disorder : when fear overwhelms.

What is a Panic Disorder?

• Panic disorder involves repeated and unexpected panic attacks.
• A panic attack is a feeling of intense fear or terror that lasts for a short period of time.
• It involves physical sensations like a racing heart, shortness of breath, chest pain,
dizziness, shaking, sweating or nausea. However, a panic attack goes away on its own.
• Panic attacks can be a normal reaction to a stressful situation but with panic disorder,
panic attacks seem to happen for no reason.
• People who experience panic disorder may avoid places, sensations or activities that
remind them of a panic attack.

Who does it affect?

Panic Disorder usually begins in adulthood or mid twenties but children can also be
affected by it. Women are twice as likely to experience panic disorder than men but the
symptoms of panic attack do not differ.

Signs and Symptoms

A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak
within minutes and includes at least four of the following symptoms:
▶ Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
▶ Sweating
▶ Trembling or shaking
▶ Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
▶ Feelings of choking
▶ Chest pain or discomfort
▶ Nausea or abdominal distress
▶ Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
▶ Chills or heat sensations
▶ Paresthesia (numbness or tingling sensations)
▶ Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization
(being detached from oneself)
▶ Fear of losing control or “going crazy”
▶ Fear of dying
Causes
• The causes of panic disorder are not clearly understood.
• Research has shown that panic disorder may be genetically linked.
• Panic disorder is also associated with significant or major transitions that occur in life
which may create stress.
• A combination of person's biology or genes, personality and environmental factors all
contribute to the onset and development of the disorder.

Treatment
•If left untreated panic disorder can lower the quality of life and hence treatment is of
utmost importance.
•Treatment for panic disorder mainly focuses on reducing or eliminating your symptoms.
•Psychotherapy is used generally.
•Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) which teaches efficient ways of thinking, behaving
and acting during panic attacks has proven to be effective.
•Often, a combination of psychotherapy and prescribed medications produces good
results. Improvement is usually noticed by about three months.

For more information

•American Psychiatric Association (APA) www.healthyminds.org
•Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) www.adaa.org
•National Mental Health Association (NMHA) www.nmha.org
Contact 104 Mental Health Helpline.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for panic attacks:
• Mindframes Mental health services, Parel, Mumbai : 9821646409
• Dr. Shyam Mithiya, Andheri East: 22 3934 1761