Risks And Treatment Of Panic Attack Disorder

panic attack disorder

Panic attacks, an underlying feature of panic attack disorder, is defined as an episode of chronic fear or anxiety that comes out of the blue, often occurring in common places like malls, elevators, while driving, etc., wherein there seems to be no real danger to an individual. The anxiety and distress brought out by these attacks are so severe that the sufferer imagines himself to be undergoing a major heart attack or a similar life-threatening disease.

Panic attack disorder if left untreated leads to a “Triple A” risk

Only very few individuals seek medical help for panic attack disorder. Then again, if they are told that nothing seems to be wrong, or it is a psychiatric condition, it may lead to frustration and embarrassment preventing them to seek any further help resulting in three serious consequences: Anticipatory anxiety, Agoraphobia and Avoidance.

Anticipatory anxiety is a condition where the sufferer anticipates a panic attacks disorder  resulting in isolating themselves from the outside world where the chances of escape and help are less.

Avoidance is a condition where the sufferer tries to avoid situations that spark off panic attacks like going to a mall, driving, taking the elevators, or just about anything that signals the body to get jumpy. Consequentially, this makes normal life come to a complete standstill.

Agoraphobia is phobia at its peak making people with panic attack disorder to keep away from crowded places such as traveling, crowds, public transport, etc. This eventually leads to a point where the sufferer just refuses to leave their home.

Panic attack disorder is best treated either with benzodiazepines or cognitive behavioral therapy.

There are five fundamentals to cognitive behavioral therapy:

Ø  Learning. This is the first step where the physician educates about the illness teaching the patient to recognize the symptoms, and summarizes the treatment plan.

Ø  Breathing. The sufferer is introduced to few relaxing breathing techniques to help tackle the physical reactions resulting from a panic attack.

Ø  Monitoring. In this the sufferer is encouraged to maintain a journal making note of situations that triggers anxiety.

Ø  Rethinking. This is a technique which teaches the sufferer to categorize physical symptoms from disastrous to pragmatic.

Ø  Exposing. Here the therapist helps the sufferer to tackle instances that brings about alarming physical sensations gradually increasing the intensity.

Other post you may be interested in reading generalized anxiety disorder symptoms and treating anxiety disorder

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