How to Cope with Panic Attack Dis order
Sunday, February 24th, 2008 by Lyle Richards Subscribe To Our Feed
One out of 75 people suffer from panic attack dis order. Under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), panic attack dis order is defined as a Axis I clinical disorders. Axis I disorders include major mental disorders. Panic attack dis order is not the clinical name for this problem but is commonly called this due to the major trait of panic attacks occurring.
What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is an event in which the body’s “fight or flight” response is set off, often with no obvious stimulus or reason. Panic attacks are characterized by:
- shortness of breath
- racing heartbeat
- sweaty palms
- a feeling of unreality
- intense fear or terror
- chest pains
- trembling
- tingling or numbness in the fingers and toes
- and nausea.
Panic attacks are not like normally stressful situations and can actually become debilitating. Though a panic attack may pass in minutes, numerous panic attacks may follow. Many people have experienced one or two true panic attacks during traumatic situations or life-changing events such as giving birth or flying in an airplane. Panic attacks turn into a panic attack disorder when fear of having another panic attack begins to affect a sufferer’s overall quality of life. Untreated Panic Disorder can develop into a phobia which is an “intense, unrealistic fear, which can interfere with the ability to socialize, work, or go about everyday life, and that is brought on by an object, event or situation.”
Other Panic Attack Disorders
Panic Disorder can occur with or without agoraphobia and is classified in these two groups by the DSM-IV. Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia is a more serious disorder because the sufferer may be unable to leave his/her home due to the fear of having another panic attack. Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia is a more general form of panic disorder that includes panic attacks but that still allows the sufferer to leave his/her home.
Similar disorders to panic attack disorders are Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which is characterized by excessive worrying but does not include panic attacks, Social Phobia, which is a fear of interacting with others and may include panic attacks, and Separation Anxiety Disorder, which is a fear of being away from home and may include panic attacks.
The DSM-IV classifies many anxiety and panic attack dis orders. It is important that if you think you might be suffering from a panic attack dis order that you receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.
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