WHAT IS PANIC DISORDER?

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Panic Attacks & Panic Disorder

What is a panic attack?

A panic attack causes sudden, temporary feelings of fear and strong physical reactions in response to ordinary, nonthreatening situations. When you’re having a panic attack, you may sweat a lot, have difficulty breathing and feel like your heart’s racing. It may feel like you’re having a heart attack.

Some people who experience panic attacks develop panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder. Therapy and medications can treat panic attacks and panic disorder.

Panic attacks are the main feature of panic disorder. But they can happen alongside other conditions, such as:

While panic attacks by themselves aren’t dangerous or harmful to your health, frequent attacks can lead to a decrease in your quality of life and other issues.

What’s the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack?

The main difference is that certain stressors often trigger anxiety attacks, and they may build up gradually. In contrast, panic attacks typically happen unexpectedly and suddenly.

Anxiety often causes physical symptoms, such as a racing heart or knots in your stomach. But these symptoms are generally less intense and last longer than a panic attack, which has very intense but brief symptoms.

What are the symptoms of a panic attack?

A panic attack happens suddenly. Symptoms usually peak within 10 minutes after it starts and then disappear soon after. Physical symptoms of a panic attack include:

  • Chest pain.
  • Racing heart.
  • Difficulty breathing, such as hyperventilation.
  • Trembling or shaking.
  • Chills.
  • Nausea.
  • Sweating.
  • Tingling or numbness in your fingers or toes.

You may feel:

  • Intense terror.
  • A choking or smothering sensation.
    • Fear of losing control.
  • Like you’re going to die.
  • Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (feeling detached from yourself).

Panic attacks are very unpleasant and can be frightening. If you’ve had symptoms of a panic attack, it’s important to see a healthcare provider. They can give you an official diagnosis and ensure there’s no underlying physical cause.

How long can a panic attack last?

Panic attacks usually last 5 to 20 minutes. But some people have reported attacks lasting up to an hour.

CAUSES OF PANIC DISORDER

Your risk of having panic disorder increases if you have:

  • A family history: Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, often run in families. You have a 40% increased risk of developing panic disorder if one of your first-degree relatives (biological siblings, children or parents) has the condition.
  • Mental health conditions: People who have anxiety disorders, depression or other mental health conditions are more prone to panic attacks.
  • Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs): ACEs are negative experiences that happen between the ages of 1 and 17. These experiences are usually traumatic events. ACEs can contribute to the development of panic attacks and panic disorder.

Find full article here:https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4451-panic-attack-panic-disorder