Anxiety is a vague feeling of apprehension. It is usually caused by an internal or external stimulus that is manifested in to behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms. Panic anxiety is a level of anxiety where survival skills take over the person where in defensive responses increases and cognitive skill decrease significantly.
Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks vary in duration; however, it usually lasts for more than 10 minutes. It is manifested by difficulty in concentrating and reasoning. Its other manifestations are muscle tightening, increasing vital signs, chest pains, GI upset, tingling sensation in the hands, trembling, terror, restlessness, and irritability. It usually mimics heart attack.
The exact cause of this disorder is not fully understood. However, studies show that biological/genetic and environmental factors are usually involved. According to studies, panic disorder can be passed from parents to children. So, a family history of the anxiety disorder places one at a greater risk of having the condition. Another is abnormalities in the brain. In this disorder, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is usually dysfunctional. It is a neurotransmitter responsible for inhibiting anxiety through reducing the cell's excitability. Substance abuse and life stress can trigger panic attacks.
A panic disorder is usually difficult to diagnose because it may be caused by other underlying conditions. A diagnostic tool for a panic disorder is DSM-IV-TR. This diagnostic tool makes use of a list of symptoms wherein when a client manifests four or more of the symptoms, they are diagnosed to have the disorder.
It is treated through psychotherapy and medications. However, combining these two courses of treatment is more effective than using only one. The most commonly used psychotherapy is the cognitive behavioral therapy. It helps clients with panic disorder identify and decrease irrational thoughts and behaviors that increase panic symptoms. It can be used individually or in groups. They are taught relaxation techniques which can help decrease anxiety during attacks. They are also taught how to control their anxiety through gradual exposure to situations that caused the previous panic attacks.
Medications used for controlling panic disorder are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SSNRIs). These types of medications are more safe and are better tolerated by the clients. Benzodiazepines, as well as Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) are also effective reatments for panic disorders. Beta-blockers are sometimes used to treat the physical symptoms of a panic attack.
Panic anxiety is a level of anxiety where survival skills take over the person where in defensive responses increases and cognitive skill decrease significantly. To know more about it, check out http://panicattackrelease.com/
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