Panic disorder is a real problem that can affect up to 7.5% of people at any given time. This widespread problem has the potential to be among the most debilitating mental health disorders we know of. The severity of the panic attacks that panic disorders cause can vary from person to person. All of them have similar physical manifestations that can sometimes make it difficult to diagnose the problem correctly. However, in spite of this alarming situation, most people tend to be unfamiliar with some of the basic facts surrounding panic disorders. Presented here is some of that information that could be useful to people experiencing panic disorders, or that know someone who may have this particular mental health problem.
The Symptoms:
The primary symptom of panic disorders would be having periods where the person sustains extreme anxiety. These periods are often called panic attacks and are easily mistaken for signs of someone developing an anxiety disorder. The physical symptoms can vary from patient to patient and, sometimes, from occurance to occurance. An increased heart rate, excessive perspiration, trembling of the extremeties, and nausea are among the physical signs of a panic attack. The frequency of these attacks often vary from person to person, with some experiencing attacks on a daily basis while others can be weekly or less.
The Chances of An Improper Diagnosis:
Because of the physical symptoms that panic disorders have, some people can easily make the mistake of believing it to be a physical problem. There are a variety of physical problems that can cause a similar set of side effects and symptoms that are seen during panic attacks. Sometimes, the physical effects have been mistaken for epilepsy, heart attacks or strokes.
Possible Treatments:
Counseling has been shown to be helpful in alleviating panic disorders. Usually, psychiatric counseling is accompanied by the use of certain anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications. The use of these drugs can also help in cutting the connection between the panic disorders and what is causing the panic.This can help the patient recover faster. Proper counseling can also help patients adapt to a normal life, particularly if the symptoms were left untreated for an long time.
Side Effects That Might Develop:
untreated panic disorders have been known to cause side effects like depression, agorphobia, and social anxiety. Since panic attacks can occur during social interactions, it can sometimes cause that person to develop performance anxiety or social anxiety. This is particularly true if the attacks often occur at times of great stress for the person. Other possible reactions to these “trigger” situations can be depression and lack of confidence, as the person repeatedly fails. The onset of these side effects not only has an effect on mental health, but can also make recovery even more difficult. As such, it is vitally important that the problem be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. That way, the damage it can do is minimized.
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