What are panic attacks – What is a Panic Disorder?
A person has panic disorder when he has recurring episodes of panic attacks. These are intense anxiety attacks where the person feels extremely uncomfortable and has a lot of different bodily sensations accompanying it. This person will fear having more attacks. What are panic attacks NOT FUN! I have had them and know what it takes to stop both as a therapist and as a person who suffers from them!
It feels like a lion is out to get you. BUT IT IS NOT TRUE!
What are panic attacks symptoms, or bodily sensations, of a panic attack?
A person may experience a few of these symptoms, or all of them. It is different for each person. Panic attacks can have any of the following symptoms. This defines what are panic attacks.
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Breathlessness
- Numbness in limbs (can’t feel them)
- Feeling detached from the world
- Faintness
- Trembling
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Choking
- Stomach and chest pain
- Fear of dying
- Fear he is losing control or going crazy
You can see their is no easy answer for how to help someone with anxiety.
Need Support? Click Here
What does a person who is having a panic attack look like?
He may be breathing heavily, and may be crouched over. Or may sit in one spot until the attack subsides. If he was having an attack in public, you may not even know he was having an attack. He may instead complain that he is feeling sick. If he has agoraphobia, he may be running or walking quickly to escape the situation.
What causes Panic Disorder?
There are some theories that blame chemicals in the brain, or structures in the brain, and genetics. It is still not yet known what the exact cause is.
What triggers a Panic Attack?
This is frustrating for the person afflicted because there really may not be any exact triggers. They can happen out of the blue, for no apparent reason at all.
Who is mostly likely to get panic disorder?
It is generally women who have panic disorder.
What are the consequences of panic disorder?
Panic disorder can lead to alcoholism because the person tries to self-medicate. He is trying to relieve himself of the bodily sensations
It can lead depression
Loss of wages and employment (because he goes home sick, or cannot leave the house)
Here is a free worksheet for dealing with panic
Would you like support for how to help someone with anxiety? Click here