Panic Disorder

What is a Panic Attack?
 

A panic attack is a sudden and recurring episode of intense fear or apprehension that overwhelms an individual.
Panic attacks typically start suddenly, intensify rapidly, and usually reach their peak severity within 10 minutes, lasting for 10-30 minutes on average before subsiding spontaneously.

Symptoms of a Panic Attack
 

Chest pain or discomfort
Palpitations
Sweating and trembling
Shortness of breath or feeling of suffocation
Dizziness, feeling faint or dizzy
Numbness or tingling sensation
Chills and trembling
Hot flashes
Nausea or abdominal pain
Feeling detached from oneself or surroundings
Fear of losing control or going crazy
Fear of dying
If four or more of these symptoms are present, it is termed a "Panic Attack." However, if fewer than four symptoms are present, it is referred to as "Limited Symptom Panic Attack.

What is Panic Disorder?
 

Panic disorder is a mental disorder characterized by recurring unexpected panic attacks and anticipatory anxiety about future attacks.
Symptoms such as sudden onset of chest pain, palpitations, sensation of suffocation, trembling, sweating, nausea, dizziness, fear of fainting or dying, numbness or tingling can leave the individual feeling terrified. They may fear they are experiencing a heart attack or stroke and may fear dying or being paralyzed.
Sometimes, individuals may experience a sense of unreality, detachment, or feeling as if they are observing themselves from outside, leading to a fear of losing control or harming oneself or others.
Patients often seek emergency medical help, fearing a serious medical condition, but tests reveal no abnormalities, and they are sent home with sedatives. However, recurrent attacks lead to repeated visits to the emergency department. Persistent attacks lead to the development of anxiety between attacks, and the fear of future attacks becomes ingrained. This is referred to as "Anticipatory Anxiety."
Patients fear being alone during a panic attack, being unable to get help, being unable to reach the hospital, losing control and harming themselves or others, or behaving oddly in front of others and feeling ashamed. This leads to profound distress.
Over time, individuals may develop various behavioral problems, such as fear of being alone, avoiding activities they believe trigger attacks, fear of losing control and acting impulsively, withdrawing from people out of fear of causing harm, or avoiding being alone with loved ones due to fear of harming them.

What is the Cause of Panic Disorder?
 

Panic disorder arises from the abnormal functioning of certain brain hormones that regulate our emotional experiences, which are secreted by nerve cells in our brain. Additionally, misinterpretation of bodily symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, or dizziness – which occur naturally and harmlessly as a result of some of our daily behaviors – by the patient can trigger the onset of the disorder.

Treatment for Panic Disorder
 

There are two scientifically proven treatments for panic disorder: medication and psychotherapy. The best results are achieved when both treatments are applied together.

PLEASE REMEMBER!
PANIC DISORDER IS ABSOLUTELY NOT A DISEASE THAT LEADS TO DEATH, LOSS OF MIND, OR PARALYSIS.
USE ONLY THE MEDICATIONS PRESCRIBED BY YOUR DOCTOR AND FOLLOW THE DOSAGE AND USAGE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY YOUR DOCTOR. DO NOT INCREASE OR DECREASE MEDICATION DOSES BASED ON YOUR DAILY CONDITION.
DO NOT DISCONTINUE YOUR TREATMENT WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR.

Spc. Dr. Tuba Öğer

Psychiatrist