Dealing with Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder which suffers millions of people around the world. This disorder can make one feel as if something bad will happen to them. A person suffering from panic disorder can live their whole life worrying about their next panic attack. A constant fear is in the mind of one with panic disorder.

They may ask themselves?

Should I go out to that work party on the weekend?

Should I get into that elevator with all those people?

Should I travel on an airplane?

What Causes Panic Disorder?

Although doctors do not know what exactly causes panic disorder, they believe it may be genetics. But there are people with panic disorder with no family history of mental illness. There are many factors that cause panic disorder such as caffeine products: Coffee, tea, chocolate, soda, heavy sugary foods. Having a tramatic event in ones life can cause one to get panic disorder. Some doctors believe that one with panic disorder may have abnormalities in the brain, such as a chemical imbalance. Also, drug or substance abuse in ones life can eventually lead to a life with panic disorder.

There is no blood test to diagnos panic disorder. A doctor may run other tests to rull out other conditions such as thyroid problems or check your vitamin B & D level. Even having low iron can cause panic disorder. Usually one will go to their primary doctor and he/she will evaluate you and your family history. They may ask the question of how long you have been having these symtpoms? Or Does any one in your family ever had panic disorder? If all of your physical tests come back to be negative he/she may refer you to a psychologist/psycharitrist.

The Difference Between...

Psychologist-More so talks to you about your symtoms and tries to help you cope with your thoughts and feelings.

Psychatrist- Prescribes medication to help with your negative thoughts and behaviors.

Signs and Symptoms...

People with panic disorder can be struck by syptoms with no warning. They can feel as if a sense of doom in their life is about to occur.

• Heart palpations
• Sweats
• Nausea/ vomitting
• Dizzyness
• Light headedness
• Anxoiusness
• Headache

Treatments...

The psychatrist will evaulate your symtoms and determine if your panic disorder would be better controlled with medication. Some medications a doctor may give is: Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Cymbalta, Lexapro, Klonopin, Xanax. These medications can have some serious side effects such as: Dizzyness, headache, vomiting, neasuea, weight gain, confusion, loss of appetite, sexaul impotience. Some of these medications can be very scary to start on. I recently looked on the website www.rxlist.com/prozac-drug.htm and this was a warning notice in bold.

WARNING

SUICIDALITY AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS

Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of PROZAC or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. PROZAC is approved for use in pediatric patients with MDD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and Use in Specific Populations].

When using PROZAC and olanzapine in combination, also refer to Boxed Warning section of the package insert for Symbyax.

I was completly terrified when I read this. But anti-depressents do really help people with panic disorder. Most do not expreience these symptoms.

• Rexation techniques are a great way to learn how to pass the symptoms
• Cognitive behavorial theapy is when a person learns to recognize the problem and bad feelings. This type of therapy helps people learn how to think more positivly.

My struggle with Panic Disorder...

     Panic disorder has been a topic in my life for many years. I can even recall the first time I had a panic attack. Of course at the time, I had no idea what was happening to me. I thought I was really going to die! It was on a weekend in a crowded mall with about ten of my friends when it happened. The mall was filled with thousands of people, it was a complete mad house. While looking at a fake fur coat, I started to feel my heart pound. My palms started to sweat and my stomach felt like very angry at me. I can recall my friends look at me asking me if I was ok. "I just need fresh air," I said. I just figured that I had a stomach virus, and it was going to pass in a few days. A few days later I was still wondering what happened to me that day in the mall.

     I did not have another attack until I started high school. It was freshmen year in a aquarium full of screaming adolescents filled with crazy emotions and testosterone, when I had my second panic attack. The freshmen year get together was the most boring event of my life. The principal was talking about the next four years of our lives whether is be good or bad, it was up to us. I should of been excited to start high school, and I was until I had a panic attack. My heart started to pound, palms sweaty, and nausea was setting in. I sat up and ran out of there so fast no one even noticed I left.

     Finally I told my parents about my feelings and they took me to a doctor because they had no idea what was wrong with me. My family doctor told me that I had a panic attack and it was normal for someone my age to get them. She told me to take a few deep breaths and try to relax, and it will pass.

     Years later I still have panic attacks. The panic attacks have not been as severe as they use to be because I was eventually placed on medication. But now, I plan to get off of the medication. I am going to try cognitive therapy...