Information about Panic Disorder | Aragon Mental Health, Spokane, WA

Panic Disorder

Do you ever have periods where your anxiety escalates sky-high and you’re consumed with overwhelming fear? Your heart pounds, breathing gets difficult, and you’re afraid you might die? If so, you’re not alone. Many people have panic attacks.

Panic attacks happen out of the blue without any obvious cause and can be part of panic disorder, a condition in which people experience panic attacks that seem to strike randomly. Panic attacks can hit at any time and can even wake someone up from a sound sleep. A person doesn’t have to be upset or feeling stressed to have a panic attack. After enduring these attacks, people become fearful of having another. As a result, they may begin to self-isolate and withdraw from others.

What is a panic attack?

If you’ve ever had a panic attack, you’re familiar with the all-encompassing fear and sense of impending doom it brings. It only takes 10 minutes from the onset of a panic attack for it to peak. A panic attack includes at least four of the following symptoms:

Pounding heart, racing heartbeat.
Nausea.
Sweats.
Choking sensation.
Shaking or trembling.
Sensation of smothering or shortness of breath.
Feelings that reality is “slipping” away.
Feeling detached from one’s self..
Painfully clenched chest muscles, chest pain.
Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint.
Chills.
Numbness or tingling.
Fear of dying, feeling certain that one is dying.

Panic disorder is among the anxiety disorders. Its cause is unknown. However, it is treatable, and relief can come either by psychotherapy or a combination of psychotherapy and medication. If you recognize yourself or a loved one in the description of panic disorder, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Seek help from an experienced psychiatric nurse practitioner who can help you understand what you’re feeling, why you’re feeling it and provide you options to move forward.

Damaris Aragon, ARNP, BC provides a full spectrum of mental health care to people in Spokane, Washington and surrounding areas. She focuses on providing personalized care that adheres to current evidence-based standards. Reach out to Damaris through her contact page or calling 509-342-6592.

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