Coping With Panic Attack Disorder
Panic Disorder affects approximately 1 out of 75 people. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) classifies Panic Disorder as an Axis I clinical disorder. Axis I disorders include major mental disorders as well as learning and developmental disorders. The most common trait of Panic Disorder is the "panic attack" which leads many to refer to the diagnosis as Panic Attack Disorder, though that is not its clinical name.
A panic attack is an event in which the body's "fight or flight" response is set off, often with no obvious stimulus or reason. Panic attacks are characterized by shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, sweaty palms, a feeling of unreality, intense fear or terror, chest pains, trembling, tingling or numbness in the fingers and toes, and nausea. Panic attacks are not like normally stressful situations and can actually become debilitating. Though a panic attack may pass in minutes, numerous panic attacks may follow. Many people have experienced one or two true panic attacks during traumatic situations or life-changing events such as giving birth or flying in an airplane. Panic attacks turn into a panic attack disorder when fear of having another panic attack begins to affect a sufferer's overall quality of life. Untreated Panic Disorder can develop into a phobia which is an "intense, unrealistic fear, which can interfere with the ability to socialize, work, or go about everyday life, and that is brought on by an object, event or situation."
Other Examples of Panic Attack Disorders
Panic Disorder can occur with or without agoraphobia and is classified in these two groups by the DSM-IV. Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia is a more serious disorder because the sufferer may be unable to leave his/her home due to the fear of having another panic attack. Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia is a more general form of panic disorder that includes panic attacks but that still allows the sufferer to leave his/her home.
Similar disorders to panic attack disorders are Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which is characterized by excessive worrying but does not include panic attacks, Social Phobia, which is a fear of interacting with others and may include panic attacks, and Separation Anxiety Disorder, which is a fear of being away from home and may include panic attacks. There are many other anxiety and panic attack disorders classified in the DSM-IV. It is important that sufferers receive proper diagnosis and treatment at the onset of any disorder to halt its development and maintain their quality of life.
