The Simptoms of Panic Attack and Panic DisordersThe distinct momentary phase of strong fear or uneasiness that is closely relevant with many bodily and mental symptoms is referred to as a panic attack. It is illustrated as the occurrence of at least 4 of the symptoms involving a strong heart beat, the sweating accompanied by shaking of the muscles, the difficulty in breathing and feeling of being choked, the pains coming from the chest, dizziness, and chills. Normally, the attack suddenly occurs and continues to reach its maximum strength after about 10 to 15 minutes. However, it is a fact that the symptoms only last for a few minutes. The abruptness and its being periodic in nature differentiate it from other forms of anxiety. Most people who experience this attack describe that they are afraid of dying, going insane, or being unable to control their own behavior. Because of such experiences, people have the strong tendency to escape anything that may cause the attack, for instance if the attack is accompanied by shortness of breath, a person will automatically go to a nearby emergency room just to get help from anyone who can stop the symptom. Likewise, the link between the onset of the attack and the existence of factors that caused the attack also characterizes these attacks. It does not logically follow that there is a mental problem when there is a period of panic attack because even healthy people experience solitary attacks once in a while. However when they advance to panic disorders, they should not just be restricted to panic disorder. They can also occur with social phobia, anxiety disorder, and other disorders caused by depression. When a person has felt at least two unanticipated panic attacks and he begins to change his behavior in order to avoid having the same kinds of attack, then he can be diagnosed with panic disorder. However, when the attacks are caused by an intake of drug or other substances, or if it is because of another illness, then panic disorder does not exist. Panic disorder has a life span rate which ranges from 2 to 4%, while annually in epidemiological studies, a consistent documentation of 2% is reached. Most of the time, other depressive disorders give way to complicate panic disorder, as well as alcoholism and substance abuse disorders. Panic disorder usually occurs together with other anxiety disorders, like social phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Panic disorder is considered to be hereditary, and this is what sets it apart from other depressive disorders. According to the American Psychiatric Association, women are more at risk of having panic disorder than men. This disorder usually begins during late teenage years up to the midyears of adulthood. Usually, if panic disorder occurs in an earlier age, it transmits higher chances of comorbidity, persistence, and greater harm.
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