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Panic disorder

"Suddenly, I felt an overwhelming fear without any reason. My heart was racing, my chest hurt, and it became harder to breathe. I thought I was going to die."

These words could be heard from anyone who has ever experienced a panic attack. Although there is no visible or objective cause for panic attacks, they happen and are extremely distressing for those who experience them.

The most typical manifestations of panic attacks are:

1

A sense of impending danger or doom

2

Fear of losing control or death

3

Rapid and palpable heartbeat

4

Sweating

5

Trembling

6

Shortness of breath or tightness in the throat

7

Chills

8

Warm waves

9

Nausea

10

Abdominal cramps

11

Chest pain

12

Headache

13

Dizziness, vertigo

14

Feeling of unreality, abstraction, alienation

Panic attacks occur when this stress response is triggered despite the absence of immediate danger. Some of the factors that can cause the body to activate this mechanism include:

  • Stressful events
  • Fears and phobias
  • Life crises
  • Psychosomatic illnesses, and more

The treatment of panic attacks can reduce the intensity and frequency of episodes, as well as significantly improve your daily functioning. The main methods of treatment are psychotherapy and medication, which can be prescribed individually or together, depending on your preferences, medical history, the severity of your condition, and other factors.

Psychotherapy is considered an effective first choice for anxiety attacks and panic disorder. Therapeutic sessions can help you understand the nature of panic attacks and teach you how to manage them more quickly.