A mental illness is the same as a physical illness or disease; it follows a certain pattern, consists of a multitude of symptoms and has the potential to be treated. The only difference is that a mental illness affects the brain and the mind, and in today’s society, has negative connotations associated with it. Mental illness is just as biological as any physical disease, and can be just as serious and devastating to the individual. One mental illness, in particular, is believed to be very common and easily reversible: panic disorder. This illness is classified under the DSM-5 as an anxiety disorder, and it is separate from panic attacks, which by themselves are not a disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Panic attacks, are a symptom of panic disorder, and can be experienced by anyone, both those with and without the disorder. Panic disorder is a mental disease characterized by specific criteria, risk factors and etiologies particular to itself. Panic disorder is defined as, “recurrent unexpected panic attacks” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 208). A panic attack is a heightened sense of fear or discomfort that swells and reaches a climax; the entire event last around 10 minutes (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). An unexpected panic attack means that there is no trigger that sets off the attack, they occurs seemingly random (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). During these attacks, in order for it to be considered panic disorder, at
The panic disorder results from an anxiety disorder that causes panic attacks to happen. An example would be when the phone suddenly rings and it makes your heart start to race, or all of a sudden you feel this overwhelming sense of terror even though there is no reason for it. Panic attacks can cause severe physical reactions and sometimes they can feel frightening to the individual that is having the panic attack. The attack can last 10-20 minutes and sometimes it can continue for an hour if it is not controlled. Panic attacks have rushed people to the emergency rooms (ER) because it is frequently mistaken more than often of having all the symptoms of a heart attack, stroke or even a seizure. The symptoms that are characterized by this attack are: feeling weak all of a sudden, tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers, sense of terror of impending death or doom, feeling faint or lightheaded, sweaty hands, having body chills, chest pain, racing heart, breathing difficulties and feeling like your whole body is losing sense of
Panic disorder is when people experience recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, along with at least one month of persistent concern about additional panic attacks, work over
o Symptoms cause signAcant distress as well as impairment in important domains of functioning {e.g., occupational, social, familial)
Panic disorder is dissimilar from the normal fear and anxiety reactions to stressful activities that is a serious illness that strikes without any warning. Panic attacks involve a feeling of extreme anxiety or fear that may last for anyplace among for a few minutes possibly to various hours. Symptoms of panic disorder happens with sudden attacks of fear and nervousness. Also, it causes such as sweating and a racing heart. During a panic attack, the fear response for the situation often is not threatening. Over time, a person with panic disorder develops a constant fear of having another panic attack, which can affect daily functioning and in general in their life. Panic attack is a reaction of the sympathetic nervous system. Panic attacks are not permanently threatening. People can or possibly won’t develop a panic attack at any time in their life. Everyone go through panic in a different way.
When it comes to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) though they differ in each diagnosis, they also can share a unique bond with each other. Both diagnoses can co-occur among patients. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V), post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that 's triggered by exposure to one or more tragic/terrifying events. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). For generalized anxiety disorder, according to the DSM-V, “the essential feature of generalized anxiety disorder is excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation) about a number of events or activities. The intensity, duration, or frequency of the anxiety and worry is out of proportion to the actual likelihood or impact of the anticipated event” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p.1).
Panic disorder is found in people who have experienced "out-of-the-blue" panic attacks and have a fear of having another attack. Panic attacks almost always occur unexpectedly, even during sleep.
Panic disorder and agoraphobia are two separate disorders that often go hand in hand with each other. An individual can be diagnosed with panic disorder, but a diagnosis without agoraphobia can often take place as well. Some individuals develop symptoms of agoraphobia, but do not have the classic panic disorder symptoms, hence the reason they are both listed as separate disorders in the DSM-5. Panic disorder can be identified as “recurrent unexpected panic attacks. A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, and during which time four or more physical and cognitive characteristics take place (Hooley, J. 2017, pg.188).” When dealing with panic disorder it can often become debilitating, due to the fact that the individual does not know when the onset of an attack will occur. Individuals with panic disorder more commonly develop agoraphobia as a comorbid disorder, and if left untreated, can have a difficult time even leaving their home. Agoraphobia can be defined as “the individual fears or avoids
“During a panic attack, the symptoms are sudden and extremely intense. These symptoms usually occur ‘out of the blue,’ without an obvious immediate triggering stimulus.” While an anxiety attack “. . .generally intensifies over a period of time and is highly correlated to excessive worry about some potential ‘danger’ . . .the symptoms of a panic attack may be persistent and very long-lasting -- days, weeks, or even months.”
Panic disorder is something that develops for no apparent reason. It causes repeated and unexpected attacks of intense fear. It can last for a few minutes or even hours. The people that have this disorder usually live in fear of having another attack. They are afraid to be alone, or to be far from medical help. The feelings of intense fear can trigger severe physical reactions. This disorder is very real and treatable.
Panic attacks can be experienced by individuals who do not have a panic disorder. Attacks may occur in the context of any of the anxiety disorders (e.g., mood disorders, social phobia, specific phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance-related disorders) and as the result of some medical conditions (e.g., hyperthyroidism) (Vandenbos, 2007). In fact, three quarters of people with panic disorder report having at least one other diagnosed chronic physical or mental illness. Statistics indicate that individuals who have a family history of anxiety or depression are placed at greater risk of developing panic disorder ("Canadian Mental Health Association," n.d.).
Panic Disorder is a condition that causes people to feel overwhelming and intense fear without an actual danger being present (“Panic Disorder Sick”). In the year 2003, 19.1 million people between ages 18 and 54 were affected by some sort of anxiety disorder, like panic disorder, in the United States (“Anxiety Disorders”).
Abstract: Panic disorder is an abnormal condition which badly affects the social life, working life and family of patients. It is also termed as a mental disease which includes the mood disorders and mostly depression. Females is most susceptible to panic disorders than the male and it is almost double or more than that. The symptoms of panic a disorder mainly includes a disconnected period of severe fear or discomfort, simultaneously the other symptoms are as follows also seen during the attacks and peak within 10 minutes: Palpitation, Tachycardia, Sweating, Tremors, difficulty in breathing, Chest pain ,Nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness, depression, fear of going crazy and fear of death. The factor which causes the panic disorders are as follows: 1. Biological factors A. Neurotransmitters 2. Psychological factors A. Genetic factors B. Sex. C. Physical Conditions. 3. Socio cultural factors: Environmental factors.
Most of the time, the disorder evolves because of stress. This stress could be good stress, such as planning a wedding, or bad stress, such as the death of a loved one (Barlow et al., 1994; Barrera et al., 2013). In order for a person to be diagnosed with panic disorder, the individual must have panic attacks that come suddenly, usually with the person know knowing what triggered it. Sadly, this disorder affect a person in every aspect of their lives, causing distress, impairing them from daily activities, and hindering personal and social functioning (Barlow et al., 1994; Gloster, 2014; Teachman, Marker, & Clerking,
Panic Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that consists of feelings of sudden fear, overwhelming fright, and fear of death. Panic disorder can be inherited, but it can also be the result of
Anxiety is a reaction to things that stress you. It is normal to have some anxiety at work, school, or home. It is when anxiety becomes a daily occurrence with no known cause that it is categorized as a disorder. Anxiety, panic, and depression often begin with normal stress that gets out of control.