Panic Disorder Fight Or Flight

Panic Disorder - Fight Or Flight?

How many trips have you made to the ER this year? One minute you’re standing in the middle of an aisle at the grocery store deciding which brand of shampoo you should buy. The next minute your whole body is hot and tingling. Your heart feels like it’s pounding out of your chest. Am I having a heart attack? The ER advises you that you’re your in great health and to not be worried. It’s only a slight bout with anxiety. After a few days the episode is quickly forgotten, as daily life sucks you back into the vortex. And then suddenly, it happens again. Only this time you’re waiting in your vehicle to pick up your child from school. You can’t leave. Now what?

You turn the air conditioner on and blast your face with air. While gripping the steering wheel with both hands. Trying to fight the dizziness that has suddenly overcame you. What is wrong with me? Am I dying? After a few minutes you notice that you’re not breathing quite as fast as you were. The quickening feeling in your stomach has dissipated and your heart rate has returned to almost normal. Once your child is safely in the vehicle you rush to get home and get inside. Afraid it may happen again. As the episodes become more frequent you begin to avoid certain situations. Convincing yourself that specific places and events are the cause of your episodes. You no longer pick up your child from school. You go the grocery store less frequently. Never alone. Always with someone, just in case.

Your symptoms are very real. Panic attacks can be very a traumatic experience for the person that is suffering, as well the people around them. The symptoms of panic disorder are vast. Ranging from rapid heart beat and perspiration to trembling and dizziness. Some people also experience an uncontrollable fear. Many sufferers experience only a few symptoms during their attacks. While others experience several.

While an exact cause in certain people has not been pinpointed. Research has shown that is tends to run in families. Was your mother wary of certain “normal situations” when you were a child? Do you have an aunt that never leaves her house? Other potential causes are stressful life events, your environment, and life transitions. Have you recently gone through a divorce, or lost your job? Self diagnosis is never recommended. If you are experiencing these symptoms make an appointment with your family physician. Ensure that your symptoms are not from an underlying medical issue. Once panic disorder has been diagnosed your physician will talk with you about different forms of treatment.

Panic disorder can be treated many different ways. Medication such as anti-depressants and anti-anxiety have been found to help control panic in some people. While others prefer a more natural remedy like desensitization.You should also ask your physician for a referral to a psychiatrist. Not because you’re losing mind. Not because you’re crazy. But because by training,a psychiatrist is better prepared than a general practice physician in pharmacological treatment and should be sought out if available. No matter which course of action you choose there are a few things you can do at home to lower your risk for an episode. Cut out  triggers. Caffeine, alcohol, cigarette smoking, and stress are all potential triggers for an attack. Cutting back or stopping all together will help tremendously.

How different could your life be without panic?

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