Did you know that you may be suffering from Panic Disorder if you are having panic attacks?

A person visits the doctor if he/she is suffering from any illness. However, in case of any mental illness or condition, one either is not aware or ignores it. Many patients also opt for self-treatment measures which are not advisable.

Panic disorder is one of the most common mental illnesses observed in most of the people. The patient suffers from panic attacks in such cases. These attacks are a sudden surge of fear and anxiety. Know about it and take necessary steps if and when it happens.

Symptoms of a Panic Disorder

It is difficult to recognize any mental illness, especially a panic disorder as most of the symptoms of a panic attack are similar to that of a heart attack. However, there are a few symptoms, which help people identify and differentiate between panic attack and heart attack. Some of these are listed below

1. Pounding of the heart
2. Discomfort or chest pain
3. Hyperventilation or shortness of breath
4. Shaking or trembling
5. Feeling detached from the surrounding
6. Excessive sweating
7. Choking
8. Nausea
9. Tingling sensation
10. Cold flashes
11. Feeling of losing control or dying

Causes of having panic attacks

It is almost impossible to identify the exact reason behind the panic attack as various incidents cause the condition. A genetic tendency is one of the major reasons behind the panic attacks. Stress is another primary reason behind these attacks and is common for those people who have recently joined college, a new workplace or are newly married. A panic attack can also be due to other physical or medical conditions.

How to deal with Panic Attacks?

The best way to deal with panic attacks is to consult a professional, who will advise or help the patient handle the situations. If the doctor is not available, then it is suggested to follow a few measures that might help one deal with the condition.

A few measures to follow-

1. It is recommended to avoid any addictive activity such as smoking or drinking as it aggravates panic disorder and increases the frequency in which a person might have panic attacks.
2. It is advised to learn to control the breathing as this helps a lot during the panic attacks. When an attack sets in, the patient loses control over breathing and suffers from shortness of breath, which increases the effect of the attack. It is advised to take deep breaths as it helps improve the situation and relieve the mind from stress.
3. It is suggested to exercise and practice relaxation techniques regularly as this helps control the situation. This also reduced the magnitude and frequency of the panic attack, as it calms the mind, thus relieving stress.

Panic disorder is a serious issue, which if not handled properly might lead to severe problems. Hence, it is advised to seek the advice of a professional at the early stage.