People who suffer from a panic disorder feel a terror that strikes suddenly and repeatedly with no warning. The occurrence of an attack cannot be predicted. An intense anxiety about when and where the next one will strike can develop.
Panic attack symptoms include:
Panic disorder is quite common, occurring more frequently in women than in men. It can appear at any age but most often begins in young adults. Not everyone who experiences panic attacks will develop panic disorder. Many people have one attack but never have another. For those who do have panic disorder, though, it's important to seek treatment.
Panic disorder is often accompanied by other conditions such as depression or alcoholism, and may spawn phobias, which can develop in places or situations where panic attacks have occurred. Some people's lives become greatly restricted � they avoid normal, everyday activities such as grocery shopping, driving, or in some cases even leaving the house. They avoid any situation they fear would make them feel helpless if a panic attack occurs. Agoraphobia develops in approximately one-third of Panic Disorder sufferers. Whilst this disorder can appear to run in families, early treatment of panic disorder can often stop the progression to agoraphobia.
Psychotherapy, Hypnotherapy, Neuro Linguistic Programming and similar methods of intervention have proven successful treatments for people suffering from a Panic Disorder. Cognitive-behavioural approaches teach us how to view the panic situations differently and demonstrate ways to reduce anxiety, using breathing exercises or techniques to refocus attention.
Gorey, Co. Wexford
Phone: 087 685 4242 - Email: [email protected]