Understanding Panic Disorder
A guide to panic disorder, recurring panic attacks, and finding control.
What Is Panic Disorder?
Panic Disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks along with persistent worry about future attacks or significant behavioural changes to avoid them.
While a single panic attack is common, panic disorder develops when attacks recur and significantly impact your life. It's highly treatable.
Understanding Panic Attacks
Rapid onset: Symptoms peak within minutes.
Physical symptoms: Racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain.
Feeling of unreality: Derealization or depersonalisation.
Fear of losing control: Feeling like you're 'going crazy'.
Fear of dying: Many people believe they're having a heart attack.
Intense terror: Overwhelming fear that something terrible is happening.
The Panic Cycle
An initial panic attack may seem to come from nowhere.
Fear of another attack creates anxiety and hypervigilance.
Monitoring body sensations for danger increases false alarms.
Avoidance of places or situations where attacks occurred develops.
Life becomes increasingly restricted as avoidance grows.
Understanding this cycle is key to breaking it.
Breaking Free
CBT for panic: Understanding that panic is uncomfortable but not dangerous.
Interoceptive exposure: Deliberately triggering sensations to reduce fear.
Breathing techniques: Slowing breathing during panic.
Challenging catastrophic thoughts: Learning that panic won't harm you.
Gradual exposure: Facing avoided situations step by step.
Medication: SSRIs can reduce panic frequency and intensity.
Panic disorder responds very well to treatment. You can regain control of your life.