Panic Disorder / Panic Attacks
Panic disorder is where
you have recurring and regular panic attacks, often for no apparent
reason. Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety and panic at certain times
during their lifetime. It is a natural response to stressful or dangerous
situations. However, for someone with panic disorder, feelings
of anxiety, stress and panic occur regularly and at any time.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of unease. It can range from
mild to severe and can include feelings of worry and fear. There are several conditions that can cause severe anxiety including:
- phobias – an extreme or
irrational fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal
- generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) –
a long-term condition that causes excessive anxiety and worry relating to
a variety of situations
- post-traumatic stress disorder –
a condition with psychological and physical symptoms caused by distressing
or frightening events.
Panic attacks
A panic attack occurs when your body experiences a
rush of intense psychological (mental) and physical symptoms. You may experience an overwhelming sense of fear,
apprehension and anxiety. As well as these feelings, you may also have physical
symptoms such as:
- nausea
- sweating
- trembling
- a
sensation that your heart is beating irregularly (palpitations).
The number of panic attacks you have will depend on
how severe your condition is. Some people may have one or two attacks each
month, while others may have several attacks a week.
Panic attacks can be very frightening and intense,
but they're not dangerous. An attack won't cause you any physical harm, and
it's unlikely that you'll be admitted to hospital if you've had a panic attack.
What
causes panic disorder?
As with many mental health conditions, the exact
cause of panic disorder isn't fully understood. However, it is thought the condition is probably
linked to a combination of physical and psychological factors. It is important to be aware that some physical
conditions and disorders can have similar symptoms to those of anxiety. For
example:
- mitral valve prolapse
- postural orthostatic tachycardic syndrome (POTS)
- anaemia
- paroxysmal
atrial tachycardia – episodes of rapid and regular
heartbeats that begin and end abruptly
- thyrotoxicosis –
where large amounts of thyroid hormones are released into the bloodstream,
causing rapid heartbeat, sweating, tremor and anxiety
- poorly
controlled diabetes
- adrenal
tumours – growths that develop on the adrenal
glands (two triangular-shaped glands that form part of the kidneys)
- carcinoid
syndrome – a set of symptoms caused by some
carcinoid tumours that can develop in the cells of the endocrine system
(glands that produce and secrete hormones)
- Zollinger-Ellison
syndrome – causes overproduction of insulin and
low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).
Diagnosing
panic disorder
You must see your doctor/ GP if you have symptoms of anxiety or
panic disorder. You may be diagnosed with panic disorder if you
experience recurrent and unexpected panic attacks followed by at least one
month of continuous worry or concern about having further attacks.
Treating
panic disorder
The aim of treating panic disorder is to reduce the
number of panic attacks you have and ease the severity of your symptoms. Psychological therapy and medication are the two
main types of treatment for panic disorder.
Having panic disorder may affect your ability to
drive. It's your legal obligation to inform the Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Agency (DVLA) about a medical condition that could
have an impact on your driving ability.
Complications
of panic disorder
Panic disorder is treatable, but to make a full
recovery it's important that you seek medical help as soon as possible.
Treatment for panic disorder is much more effective if it's given at an early
stage.
Left untreated, panic disorder can become a very
debilitating and isolating illness. It can also increase your risk of
developing other mental health conditions, such as agoraphobia or other phobias. Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where
escape might be difficult, or help wouldn't be available if things go wrong.
How common is panic disorder?
At least one in 10 people experience occasional
panic attacks, which are usually triggered by a stressful event. Panic disorder is where a person has recurring and
regular panic attacks. In the UK, it affects about two in 100 people, and
it's about twice as common in women as it is in men.
Source: NHS Choices