This is a situation whereby you experience recurring panic attacks that are unexpected. According to DSM-5, panic attacks can be defined as intense discomfort or fears which peak in a few minutes. People experiencing this disorder usually live in the fear that they will experience panic attacks again. It is possible you are experiencing panic attack anytime you develop fears that don’t have any clear reason. Physical symptoms will be experienced such as sweating, breathing difficulties and racing heart.
There are people who usually experience the problem of panic attacks maybe once or twice throughout their lives. According to American Psychological Association, 1 person out of every 75 usually experience panic disorder. A major characteristic of panic disorder is persistent fear about experiencing another panic attack most especially after going through one. It is the worry or fear about experiencing recurring panic attacks.
Although this problem’s symptoms are overwhelming as well as frightening, it can be managed and treated. If you want to improve your life and live normally, seeking treatment seems to be a very viable option that you can explore.
Panic Disorder Symptoms
The various symptoms of panic disorder have been discovered to surface in people under the age of 25. In case you’ve had over 4 attacks or seem to be living in fear that you could be attacked again, it is possible you are suffering from panic disorder.
Panic attacks do produce fears that come up in a sudden way. There will not be any warning. The time that an attack usually lasts is about 10 – 20 minutes. However, there are cases which are extreme whereby symptoms will likely last for about 60 minutes. Experience and symptoms vary with people.
Some panic attack symptoms that are common will be highlighted below:
- The fear that you’re likely to die
- Chest tightness or pain
- Numbness (or tingling in the feet or hands)
- Mental state changes
- Trembling and shaking
- Sweating or chills
- Nausea
- Light – headedness
- Dizziness (vertigo)
- Feelings of being choked
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations or racing heartbeat
There isn’t any clear reason why panic attack symptoms do occur. Typically, the dangers in the environment aren’t in any way near the symptoms. Since attacks like these can’t be predicted, your functioning may be affected. Through the fear of panic attack, there is every possibility of experiencing another panic attack.
How A Panic Attack Actually Feels Like
Listen to the stories of people that have experienced this problem in the past.
What Actually Brings About Panic Attack
The causes aren’t clear. Studies have shown that this problem may be linked genetically. Panic attacks can also be linked with those significant transitions that occur in someone’s life. These could be having the first child, getting married, leaving for college and so on. These are major transitions which can bring about stress and also create unnecessary tension.