Mindsight Manager India
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Mindsight Manager India
Call: 9200040008
Panic Disorder: Panic attacks involve sudden feelings of terror that strike without warning. These episodes can occur at any time, even during sleep. People experiencing a panic attack may believe they are having a heart attack, or they are dying or going crazy. The fear and terror that a person experiences during a panic attack are not in proportion to the true situation and may be unrelated to what is happening around them. During an attack several of these symptoms occur in combination. The core symptom of panic disorder is recurrent panic attacks, an overwhelming combination of physical and psychological distress. This means you experience recurring panic attack at unexpected times.
A panic attack is an intense episode of sudden fear that occurs when there’s no apparent threat or danger. In some cases, you may mistake the symptoms of a panic attack with a heart attack. You might experience a single panic attack. Or you might have multiple panic attacks throughout your life. If left untreated, recurrent panic attacks — and the fear of experiencing them — may lead you to avoid other people or public places. This may be a sign that you’ve developed a panic disorder. Panic attacks trigger your sympathetic nervous system. This leads to the “fight or flight” response that you experience when faced with danger. In some cases, you may develop an overwhelming fear of experiencing another panic attack. This may be a sign that you’ve developed a panic disorder. Panic attacks aren’t life threatening. But their symptoms can be similar to those of other life-threatening health conditions, such as heart attack. If you experience symptoms of a panic attack, seek psychologist right away. Its symptoms may come on gradually and peak after about ten minutes.
Symptoms one or more of the following:
● chest pain
● difficulty swallowing
● difficulty breathing
● shortness of breath
● hyperventilating
● rapid heartbeat
● feeling faint
● hot flashes
● chills
● shaking
● sweating
● nausea
● stomach pain.
● tingling or numbness
● feeling that death is imminent.
Because symptoms are so severe, many people who experience a panic attack may believe they are having a heart attack or other life-threatening illness and may go to a hospital ER. Panic attacks may be expected, such as a response to a feared object, or unexpected, apparently occurring for no reason. The mean age for onset of panic disorder is 22-23. Panic attacks may occur with other mental disorders such as depression or PTSD.
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 causes panic attacks?
Experts don’t know exactly why some people experience panic attacks or develop panic disorder. Your brain and nervous system play key roles in how you perceive and handle fear and anxiety. Researchers think that dysfunction of your amygdala — the part of your brain that processes fear and other emotions — may be at the root of these conditions. They also think chemical imbalances in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), cortisol and serotonin may play a large role.
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.
Management of panic attack
Psychotherapy, medications or a combination of both are very effective in treating panic attacks and panic disorder. How long you’ll need treatment depends on the severity of the condition and how well you respond to treatment.
Psychotherapy
The term psychotherapy, sometimes known as talk therapy, refers to a range of therapeutic approaches intended to assist an individual in recognizing and altering maladaptive feelings, ideas, and actions.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves talking with a mental health professional, such as a licensed psychologist or counselor, about your feelings and ideas. This expert assists you in determining what sets off panic attacks so that you can alter your thoughts, actions, and responses. Attacks may lessen and eventually stop if you begin to react to stimuli in a different way.
Exposure therapy: This involves exposing you gradually and repeatedly — in your imagination and/or in reality — to whatever triggers a panic attack. Over time, you learn to become comfortable with the situation instead of it causing anxiety and panic. You’ll learn relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises, to manage your anxiety throughout the process.
How can someone prevent panic attacks?
Your healthcare provider can help you identify triggers that bring on panic attacks. During psychotherapy, you learn strategies to manage triggering events and prevent an attack. You can also take these actions to lower your risk of having a panic attack:
· Avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking. These can make panic attacks worse.
· Exercise regularly to help you manage stress, relieve tension and boost your mood.
· Eat a healthy diet.
· Manage stress in healthy ways.
· Talk to your provider before taking herbal supplements or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Certain substances can increase anxiety.
· Practicing deep breathing: Hyperventilating is a symptom of panic attacks that can increase fear. Deep breathing can reduce symptoms of panic during an attack. Breathe in as slowly, deeply and gently as you can through your nose and breathe out slowly through your mouth. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing.
· Acknowledging that you’re having a panic attack: Knowing that you’re having a panic attack — and not a dangerous health episode — can help manage the fear you’re experiencing. Remind yourself that the attack is temporary and will pass.
· Relaxing your muscles: Anxiety attacks can cause you to tense your muscles. Focus on relaxing one muscle group at a time to reduce tension and stay present.
· Practicing mindfulness: A panic attack can make you feel detached from reality or your body. Practice mindfulness and focus on the present to center your thoughts and ground yourself.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Some panic attacks have signs that can resemble a physical problem, like a heart attack. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing or lose consciousness, seek emergency medical care.
You should call your healthcare provider if you have panic attacks and experience:
· Chronic (long-lasting) anxiety that interferes with daily life.
· Difficulty concentrating.
· Extreme irritability.
· Fear of leaving your home (agoraphobia).
· Panic attack symptoms that last longer than 15 minutes.
· Sleep problems.
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