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Panic disorder
Panic disorder causes people to have sudden periods of great fear. The illness also has
physical effects. These may include chest pain and a racing heart. Or shortness of breath.
There may be dizziness or stomach distress. Some people may feel like they are having a
heart attack. Or they think they have other medical problems. This is called a panic attack.
Most panic attacks last only a few minutes. But they can go on for ten minutes. They have
been known to last as long as an hour. They can occur at any time. They can even occur
during sleep. People don’t know when they might have an attack. So many live in fear that
an attack could happen any time.
Panic disorder usually starts when people are young adults. About half of all people who
have it get it before age 24. Women are twice as likely as men to develop it. There are many
physical and mental causes of panic disorders. But the exact causes are not known.
Symptoms
People with panic disorder have strong feelings of terror. The feelings appear with no
warning. The physical effects seem to make it worse. They include:
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Racing or pounding heartbeat.
Dizziness, light-headedness and nausea.
Breathing trouble.
Chest pains.
Trembling or shaking.
Feeling of choking.
Sweating, flushes or chills.
Tingling or numbness in the hands, feet or face.
Dreamlike feelings.
During a panic attack, people can be scared about many things.
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Something terrible is about to happen.
They will embarrass themselves.
They will not be able to stop the attack.
They are losing control.
They are going crazy.
They are dying.
Complications
Panic disorder may result in other problems if not treated.
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Avoiding things. People can be scared of places or situations where a panic attack has
happened. This can cause the person to avoid them. It can begin with something simple.
The person may want to sit in an aisle seat at a theater. This allows for a quick exit if
there is an attack. These situations get worse without treatment. About a third of
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people with the disorder develop agoraphobia. This illness is a fear of situations or
places where panic attacks may occur. Or where attacks already happened.
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Alcohol and drug abuse. Alcohol or drug use often goes along with panic disorder. People
with the disorder may use drugs or alcohol. They do this to try to feel better. This can
cause them to get hooked on the drugs or alcohol. So, they have a new problem on top of
their disorder.
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Depression. Nearly half of people with panic disorder also have depression. They may
feel deep sadness. But depression usually lifts with treatment.
Treatment
Mental health professionals provide treatment for panic disorder. If often works well.
Treatment may include both “talk” therapy and medicine. This can reduce or prevent panic
attacks for as many as 90 percent of those with the disorder.
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Therapy. Therapy teaches people how to cope with panic attacks. It gives them ways to
reduce their anxiety. Most people show good progress after a few weeks of therapy.
Panic attacks may come back. But they can often be treated just like the first time.
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Medicine. One or more medicines may be used to reduce the anxiety of panic attacks.
Some of the newer antidepressant medicines that also treat anxiety can work well. But
they can take several months to reach full strength.
Self-help methods for panic attacks
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Talk to someone. Discuss your anxiety with someone you trust.
Talk to yourself. Remind yourself that you are in no real danger.
Let time pass. Try to relax. Think of things you are going to do when the attack is over.
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Take comfort along. Carry things with you that help put you at ease. This could be a
paper bag to breathe into if you over-breathe. Or a “worry stone” to keep in your pocket.
Practice being in stressful situations. Think about how feeling calm could help if you are
going to do something that brought on attacks before.
Learn ways to relax. Find out how to stay calm through meditation or self-hypnosis.
Picture calm scenes in your mind. You can use these when you sense an attack coming.
This can shorten or prevent the attack.
Avoid caffeine, smoking and alcohol. All have chemicals that can make anxiety worse.
They can make you feel out of control.
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To learn more:
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
www.adaa.org.
Freedom From Fear.
www.freedomfromfear.org.
This document is for your information only. It is not meant to give medical advice. It should not be
used to replace a visit with a provider. Magellan Healthcare does not endorse other resources that
may be mentioned here.
2—©2015 Magellan Health, Inc.