Today we will be identifying another common anxiety disorder called Panic Disorder. In this post, we are going to define a panic attack, learn where panic attacks come from, and explore how panic disorder differs from other forms of anxiety.
Panic Disorder is characterized by the regular occurrence of sudden and severe instances of anxiety. These distressing episodes are known as panic attacks, and they can happen with or without a trigger. So what do these attacks feel like? They can differ for each person, but panic attacks have been described as a wave of anxiety that crashes down on you. They can happen for no discernable reason and can last anywhere from a few seconds to half an hour, depending on the situation and the severity of your anxiety. For individuals who have never had a panic attack before, these periods can be nothing short of terrifying. You may fear that you are losing your mind or drowning in your anxieties, but these feelings are normal for someone with panic disorder.
Since panic attacks are often unpredictable, individuals diagnosed with panic disorder may also experience general anxiety. Similar to the fear of uncertainty in Generalized Anxiety Disorder, not knowing when a panic attack will happen can be just as debilitating as the attacks themselves.
To compensate for this, individuals who experience panic attacks may struggle to manage their anxiety at work, school, or other social situation. If someone has experienced a panic attack at one of these locations, they may even begin avoiding similar places. If someone has a panic attack while driving, for example, all moving vehicles may remind them of past trauma. Not only is this inconvenient, but their inability to perform these tasks can also be really discouraging. This may lead to feelings of hopeless and shame, which, if left unchecked, can develop into depression.
Shame, in particular, can be detrimental to individuals with panic disorder, because it motivates them to keep their illness hidden from the rest of the world. The truth is, if you are suffering from panic disorder, one of the first steps toward recovery is to communicate openly about your symptoms with a close friend or family member. They may not entirely understand what you are feeling, but their support can help you manage your anxiety.
If you are experiencing frequent panic attacks and suspect that you may be suffering from Panic Disorder, seek help from a local Spokane health care professional. Reach out to Damaris through her contact page or calling 509-342-6592.
