The human body is endowed with the ability to protect from danger or to cope with stressful situations. Panic attack occurs when the protective system react when not needed. Going through a crisis. Your body is focusing on short-term surviving. The level of adrenaline and blood pressure increase, breathing becoming faster. The legs are ready to take the flight, the arms will be strained, as prepared for battle. Pupils are dilated, they get more light. You feel the danger lurking.
Panic disorder: Causes and symptoms:
Panic attack is a sudden access of intense fear or anxiety that cause worrisome symptoms, but not life threatening. Panic disorder may begin following a stressful event or for no apparent reason. Sometimes, just thinking about a certain situation can cause severe anxiety. Panic disorder is diagnosed when a person has repeated panic attacks, is concerned about the possibility of an attack and avoid places or situations that can trigger it. A person may also experience such symptoms without developing a disorder related to panic, but a strong restlessness.
Equally possible is to provide more episodes in a longer period of time, and to look like a continuous attack. The first attack often occurs suddenly during a commonplace activity such as walking on the street or shopping. The main symptom is the terrible fear that something bad will happen. It is accompanied by irregular heartbeat, feeling of choking, dizziness, trembling, fear of dying or losing control of reality.
Panic disorder in children and adolescents:
This condition is not specific for children and young people. They have unexpected and repeated periods of intense fear or discomfort. Episodes may last from several hours to several days. They may be afraid of common things such as insects, may worry because of monsters or when go to bed alone. Can refuse to go to school or leave the house.
Complications of panic attack:
The brain zone where panic attack occurs is a primitive part, which aims to ensure the survival of the individual, and not solve complex problems. No rational part of the brain manage crisis situations, but the irrational. Many people have problems with family, friends or job, while struggling with panic attacks.
They get to spend more time in emergency units of hospitals, tend to become financially and emotionally dependent from others, presenting an increased risk of suicide. If not recognized and treated in time, panic attacks can be devastating. At an early age, it can influence the normal development of young people. They may become anxious almost constantly. Patients must to avoid situations that might trigger such episodes. They may come to turn to drugs or alcohol, to inhibit fear and creating a false sense of courage to cope difficult situations.
Panic disorder: Treatment:
Medications used to treat panic disorders can prevent attacks, but does not remove the fear of a possible attack. It can be overcome through psychotherapy. The patient can reduce the number and intensity of attacks by improving blood nerve activity and stress of everyday life and through respiratory muscle relaxation exercises.