Panic Disorder
Many people experience panic attacks without further episodes or complications. There is little change reason to worry if you’ve had just a few panic attacks. However, some people who’ve experienced panic attacks go on to develop panic disorder. Panic disorder is seen as a repeated panic attacks, combined with major alterations in behavior or persistent anxiety over having further attacks.
A person with panic disorder can become discouraged and feel ashamed while he or she cannot carry out normal routines like visiting the grocery store or driving. Having panic disorder may also interfere with school or work.
What causes panic disorder?
Panic disorder sometimes runs in families, but nobody knows for sure why some people get it, while others don’t. Researchers have found that several parts of the brain take part in fear and anxiety. Some researchers think that people with panic disorder misinterpret harmless bodily sensations as threats. Researchers will also be looking for ways in which stress and environmental factors may play a role.
Symptoms of a panic attack may include:
Tingling and chills, particularly in the arms and hands
Trembling or shaking, sweating
Anxiety about going mad, losing control or dying
Heightened vigilance for danger and physical symptoms
Anxious and irrational thinking
A strong sense of dread, danger or foreboding
Nausea or abdominal distress
Tense muscles
Feeling lightheaded and dizzy
Hot flushes
Accelerated heartbeat
A feeling of constriction in the chest
Breathing difficulties, including difficulty breathing
Dry mouth
Feelings of unreality and detachment in the environment.
Healthy Lifestyles 