Panic Attack

What is panic disorder?
All of us have experienced feelings such as fear and anxiety many times during our lives, because these reactions are completely natural and the body shows these reactions when necessary. Panic disorder also has similar conditions.

That is, a person suffering from this disorder regularly experiences sudden attacks of panic and fear, which are often without any particular reason, but what is a panic attack or panic disorder? In the rest of the article, we decide to answer the question of what panic disorder is and provide you with everything you need to know about this disorder.

But what is a panic attack? A panic attack is a type of intense fear or panic that causes severe physical reactions in the absence of real danger or an apparent cause. Panic attacks are very scary because you may think that you are losing control, that you have stopped breathing, that you are having a heart attack, or that you are even dying.

According to the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a panic attack is defined as a sudden increase in fear or intense distress that peaks within minutes.

Most people only experience this once or twice in their lifetime and the problem goes away. If you have more than four unexpected panic attacks, you may have a condition called panic disorder. According to a 2019 study, two to four percent of people in the world have panic disorder. Symptoms of panic disorder often appear in young people between the ages of 20 and 24.

Although panic attacks are not life-threatening, they can be frightening and affect your quality of life. So, if you have panic disorder, you should consult a doctor. Correct treatment is the most important part in reducing symptoms and improving your quality of life.
What are the symptoms of panic disorder? Panic attack diagnosis
Panic attacks usually start suddenly, without warning and for no apparent reason. They can occur at any time, while driving a car, at the mall, while sleeping, or in the middle of a work meeting. You may have panic attacks from time to time or they may occur more frequently.
Normally, the symptoms of a panic attack reach their peak within a few minutes and last for 5 to 20 minutes, usually the first 10 minutes the person will experience the peak of these symptoms. In severe cases, the symptoms may last more than 1 hour. to kill For this reason, you may feel tired and worn out after the attack subsides. Common symptoms of a panic attack include:
A sense of imminent danger
Rapid and throbbing heart rate (panic and cardiac PVC)
Sweating
Body Trembling
shortness of breath and feeling of suffocation (panic and shortness of breath)
hot flashes
Nausea (panic and digestive problems)
Abdominal cramps
Chest pain
Headache
Dizziness, light-headedness or weakness
Numbness or tingling sensation in hands and feet
Fear of losing body control (especially a panic attack in sleep)
fear of dying
Be careful that in addition to the physical symptoms, panic disorder also has a series of psychological symptoms of panic, such as insomnia, ringing in the ears, difficulty concentrating, decreased libido, the feeling of food getting stuck in the throat, and the feeling of panic and confusion. .

Panic disorder can happen several times a day, or it can happen every week or every month. On the other hand, sometimes a person realizes that he may suffer from panic disorder, and in such a situation, he can prevent the problem by timely diagnosis and coping methods. This disorder is more common in women than men, and it can be prevented with some actions and preventions.

Is panic attack dangerous? Possible complications of panic disorder
If left untreated, panic attacks and panic disorder can affect almost every area of your life. Complications associated with panic attacks usually include:

Developing specific phobias, such as fear of driving or leaving the house
Needing frequent medical care to address health concerns and other medical conditions
Avoiding social situations
Problems at work or school
Incidence of depression, anxiety disorders and other mental disorders
Increased suicidal thoughts or attempts
Abuse of alcohol or other drugs
Financial Problems
In some people, panic disorder may be associated with agoraphobia. In fact, they are worried that they won't be able to escape or get help in case of a panic attack, and for that reason, they don't want to leave the house.

Panic in children can delay the growth process. Because fear of attack may make it difficult to attend school or maintain social relationships.