Panic_Attacks

Panic Disorder Cherry Fields HCA/240 January 22, 2012 Debra Salyers Panic Disorder Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that causes panic attacks for example; when the phone rings suddenly and it makes you jump and your heart starts beating like crazy, or all of a sudden you have this overwhelming feeling terror for no reason, these are panic attacks. You may have had one or two panic attacks in your lifetime, but if you have had several panic attacks and have spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, you may have a chronic condition called panic disorder (“Mayo Clinic,”). Panic attacks can cause severe physical reactions, and they are very frightening. Some people may feel that they are losing control or even having a heart attack or even dying (“Panic Disorder Pubmed Health,”). Panic disorders is twice as common in women as in men. Symptoms usually begin before the age of 25, but can occur in the mid 30s. panic disorders can occur in children, but is not diagnosed until they are much older. A panic attack can happen suddenly and it can last about 10 – 20 minutes, and it can contin- ue for as long as an hour or more. Panic attacks have been mistaken for a heart attack. People that have these panic attacks can have anxiety in situations where an escape may be difficult (such as being in a crowd or traveling in a car or bus) (“Panic Disorder Pubmed Health,”). Panic attacks were once dismissed as nerves or stress, but they’re now recognized as a real medical condition (“Mayo Clinic,”). Although panic attacks can definitely affect your life, but treatment is very effective today. People that suffer from panic attacks usually live in fear of having another attack, and it can cause them to be afraid of being alone and from medical help. Those that go through panic disorder have at least four of the following symptoms while going through an attack; Chest pain or discomfort Dizziness or faintness Fear of dying Fear of losing control or impending doom Feeling of choking Feelings of detachment Feelings of unreality Nausea or upset stomach Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or face Palpitations, fast heart rate, or pounding heart Sensation of shortness of breath or smothering Sweating, chills, or hot flashes Trembling or shaking Panic attacks can change a person’s behavior and how they function, at work, home and school. These people often worry about the effects of their attacks. These attacks can’t be predicted, at least in the early stages of the disorder. Just thinking about the past attacks can easily trigger an attack. Panic attacks feels like a heart attack and people find themselves in the emergency room. The health care provider will perform a physical examination, including a psychiatric evaluation. Blood tests will be done. Other medical disorders must be ruled out before panic disorder can be diagnosed. Treatment to help a person having panic attacks requires a combination And cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) works best such as antidepressant medications Called selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are most commonly prescribed for panic Disorder. These include: Fluoxetine (Prozac Sertraline (Zoloft) Paroxetine (Paxil) Other SSRIs (other medications may be used include) Other types of antidepressants such as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) Benzodiazepines, including diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazapam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan) may be used for a short time. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are only used when the other drugs don’t work, but they can have serious side effects. (“Mayo Clinic,”). In a few days the symptoms should get better. Cognitive behavioral is a therapy that helps you to understand your behavior and how to change them. There should be 10 to 20 visits over a number of weeks. This therapy learns you how to: understand and control distorted views of life stressors, such as other people’s behavior or life events; recognized and replace panic causing thoughts, and decreased the sense of helplessness; manage stress and relax when symptoms occur; imagine the things that cause the anxiety, starting with the least fearful. Slowly become involved in the real-life situation may help you overcome the fears (“Mayo Clinic,”). Things that may also reduce the number or severity of panic attacks include exercise; getting enough sleep; regularly scheduled meals; reduce or avoid caffeine, certain cold medicines, and stimulants. Some people may not be cured with treatment, however most people do get better with a combination of behavioral therapy and with medication (“Mayo Clinic,”). Complications that panic attacks can cause are: development of specific phobias, such as fear of driving or leaving you home; avoidance of social situations; problems at work or school; depression; increased risk of suicide or suicidal thoughts; alcohol or substance abuse; financial problems (“Mayo Clinic,”). There are risk factors that can increase the development of panic attacks and disorders such as: A family history of panic attacks Significant stress The death or serious illness of a loved one Big changes in your life such as the addition of a baby A history of childhood physical or sexual abuse Undergoing a traumatic event, such as an accident or rape. (“Mayo Clinic,”). People who have panic disorder have a high risk for developing other types of psychiatric problems. At the time of diagnosis more than 90% of people with panic disorder also has major depression, another anxiety disorder, a personality disorder or some form of substance abuse (“Aetna Intelihealth,”). Panic disorder is very treatable and with proper care people find relief from their symptoms. With the right treatment the prognosis is good. There are between 30% to 40% of patients that become symptom free for extended periods, which another 50% continue to experience only mild symptom that not significantly affects daily life (“Aetna Intelihealth,”). People with panic disorder can benefit from joining support groups where they can learn how others manage anxiety and fear, and these support groups are in most communities. People living with panic disorders can and live normal and happy lives. (“Medicalook,”). There are several myths and facts about panic disorders and panic attacks and I have listed them with the facts, and they are as followed: Myth: Everyone will know I’m having a panic attack. Fact: The feelings of fear and anxiety are very real to you remember they’re just in your mind. Myth: Specific situations trigger panic attacks. Fact: It’s common to associate specific places or activities with panic attacks if that’s where (or when) they occurred. While certain situations might trigger a panic attack there are other triggers as well. Myth: Panic attacks produce physical symptoms, but physical conditions do not cause panic attacks. Fact: Many individuals do experience physical symptoms during a panic attack, such as a racing heart, sweating, or difficulty breathing. Heartburn and headaches can trigger a panic attack for some, also people that have depression and anxiety may also have a predisposition to developing panic attacks from drinking high doses of caffeine. Myth: Drugs are the only treatment for panic disorders. Fact: Medications such as antidepressant or anti-anxiety drugs may be part of a patients treatment, but Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is considered the most effective treatment. Myth: Panic disorders only occur in people who are emotionally weak, or who have serious mental illness. Fact: Panic attacks can strike anyone, although it tends to run in families. There are biological explanations for panic disorders. Studies have linked them to a specific hormone in a brain circuit that regulates vigilance. Too much of this hormone may lead to panic attacks. In other studies suggest that the brain of people with panic disorders are lacking in a type of serotonin receptor. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates emotion. Panic disorders is not a personal weakness or sign of mental illness, and having occasional panic attacks does not necessarily lead to panic disorder (“Quality Health,”). References Aetna InteliHealth. ( ). Retrieved on January 22, 2012, from http://www.intelihealth.com About.com.Panic Disorder Causes. ( ). Retrieved on January 21, 2012, from http://panicdisorder.about.com Mayo Clinic. ( ). Retrieved on January 21, 2012, from http://MayoClinic.com Medicalook. ( ). Retrieved on January 22, 2012, from http://www.medicalook.com Panic disorder Pubmed Health. ( ). Retrieved on January 21, 2012, from http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001922 Quality Health. ( ). Retrieved on January 22, 2012, from http://www.qualityhealth.com