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Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder is what someone has when they suffer from panic attacks (sudden attacks of severe anxiety, usually with no discernible trigger), and also fear the coming of another panic attack in between (creating a high level of general anxiety).
Frequency of panic attacks vary from person to person. Some people might have one in their lifetime. Others might have them every day. I have them often for a few months, then don't have them for a while, then start having them again.
They also vary in how they affect a person, but there are a few common symptoms defining a panic attack.
- Fear. Severe fear.
- Feeling of impending death, doom, losing control, going crazy, or similar feeling.
- Heart racing.
- Trouble breathing, chest pains, or hyperventilating.
- Digestive tract problems; diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.
- Hot or cold flashes, sweating.
I described one of my panic attacks in my online journal. It is a fairly frank discussion of the course of the panic attack, how it can lead to agoraphobia, and about dissociation, which is sometimes an aspect of panic attacks.
People can have panic attacks without panic disorder. Panic disorder is what panic attacks become when anxiety exists in the sufferer about having another. Sometimes people will worry about having another panic attack for years without having one... but there's always the dread. Some people don't feel any anxiety about it in between, and that is not panic disorder. The anxiety between panic attacks is a very crippling part of this disorder, since it can contribute to agoraphobia and retreating from the world.
Panic attacks are a physical thing, but they can be triggered by high stress. Usually you can't tell what the trigger is... it may happen when you're watching a TV show or writing a letter and feeling perfectly calm.
The most important thing to remember when having a panic attack: You're not going to die. You're not going crazy. It feels that way, probably. And it hurts and it's uncomfortable, but it won't hurt you permanently... you'll be okay. You just have to ride it out.
If you think you might have panic disorder, try using this online diagnostic tool in conjunction with a professional diagnosis.
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