Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that can lead to other emotional problems. Symptoms include oversensitivity to light and sound, fatigue, insomnia, and panic attacks. Agoraphobia can develop due to the fear of experiencing a panic attack in public. Treatment options include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and herbal remedies.
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that includes the occurrence of panic attacks. Often, there is little or no warning that a panic attack is about to occur, which only adds to the heightened anxiety already experienced by the individual. Left untreated, panic disorder can lead to the development of other emotional problems, including a wide variety of phobias.
While the degree of severity will vary from one individual to another, a person suffering from panic disorder will often exhibit at least one core group of symptoms. Common symptoms of panic disorder include sensitivity to light and sound, ringing in the ears, extreme physical and mental fatigue, insomnia, and a feeling of mental and emotional fragility. Part of the reason for these symptoms is that the nervous system is oversensitive. In this state, sounds and movements that would normally trigger little or no conscious response become nearly impossible to process.
Along with the constant sense of being overstimulated, a person living with panic disorder frequently experiences episodes known as panic attacks. During a panic attack, the individual may feel as if they are about to lose consciousness, go insane, or even die. Some people also feel a strong need to flee or away from other people, especially if the attack occurs in a public setting.
While a typical panic attack only lasts for a moment or so, most people with this type of disorder experience a series of attacks that come in close succession. As one attack begins to subside, another attack begins to develop as the subconscious mind anticipates the recurrence. For the individual with panic disorder, this makes a panic attack seem to last anywhere from ten minutes to an hour or more.
Because of the negative impact a panic disorder has on an individual’s ability to function, it is not uncommon for agoraphobia to develop. In essence, agoraphobia is the fear of being in a public environment. This fear often occurs because the individual is afraid of experiencing a panic attack while around other people. Along with the onslaught of visual and audible stimuli that is often present in public places, the individual begins to avoid any places that have the potential to trigger an attack.
Many people believe that the best way to control a panic attack is to resist it. However, some mental health specialists recommend a process that involves embracing the attack, acknowledging that the worst does not come, and then begin to disempower the attacks. Similar treatments, such as CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy, can also help patients deal with panic disorder and any related health phobias that may have developed over time.
Medications are also often helpful during recovery from panic disorder. Various types of anti-anxiety medications provide some degree or relief within minutes. If your depression has developed as a result of this type of disorder, your doctor may sometimes prescribe an antidepressant. In situations where the disorder is caused by poor diet and exercise habits associated with a long period of stress, your doctor may also recommend a vitamin regimen. Vitamins help invigorate the body’s weakened immune system and provide the nervous system with the nourishment it needs to restore mental and emotional balance.
Many people turn to herbal remedies to deal with panic disorder. Some of the more commonly used herbs include lemon balm, chamomile, peppermint, skullcap, hawthorn berries, St. John’s wort, and passion flower. However, it is important to never take herbs alongside prescription medicines without consulting a doctor first, as many herbs can trigger an adverse reaction when combined with medications.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
