Panic attack or panic disorder? How do you know?

Our world is currently experiencing a lot of instability due to various reasons. Our lifestyle is also now so dynamic that it has become quite stressful to adapt to the events happening one after another and do everything properly. Many people around us are now suffering from various types of anxiety disorders. One of these is panic attack and panic disorder. These two conditions are not the same, but are completely different and the way to deal with them is also slightly different. Today I am telling you how to understand panic attack and panic disorder and how you can return to normal.

What is a panic attack?

Suppose you have been working normally for the past five days. Suddenly you come to know about something that could bring danger to you. As soon as you heard the news, you felt like you could not breathe properly. This is what happens when you have a panic attack. When you suddenly feel fear or extreme discomfort about something and it engulfs you in a moment like a huge wave, then it is called a panic attack.

How do you know if you're having a panic attack?

During a panic attack, a person can go through various types of distressing feelings. For example, palpitations, excessive sweating, trembling hands and feet, cold hands and feet, in some cases, numbness of the hands and feet , shortness of breath, feeling like something is stuck in the throat, feeling very hot or very cold, chest pain or discomfort, dizziness, nausea, etc. Sometimes, when the level of panic attack increases, even the familiar surroundings seem unfamiliar, and many people cannot recognize even familiar people properly. If you experience these symptoms in a bad or unfavorable situation, then you can assume that you are having a panic attack. Many people think that these symptoms are a heart attack . Later, it turns out that it is not like that. If you know about panic attacks, you can deal with this problem well.

What is panic disorder?

Suppose you have gone to a favorite restaurant to hang out with close friends. While everyone was having a great time together, suddenly your hands and feet started to get cold due to fear, even though there was no reason to be afraid at that time! This condition is called panic disorder. In simple terms, it is a type of anxiety disorder where a person suddenly starts feeling panic or fear without any specific reason. Usually, panic attacks occur in stressful situations. But in some cases, when it becomes a regular thing, it is called panic disorder.

One thing everyone needs to remember here is that having a panic attack does not mean that it is panic disorder. Any healthy person can suffer from panic attacks in certain situations. But when it becomes regular and affects the person's normal lifestyle and behavior, then it should be considered panic disorder .

Why does panic disorder occur?

The fear circuit in our brain, specifically the amygdala, processes emotions like fear and anxiety. Studies have shown that these parts of the brain are more active than normal in people with panic disorder. That's why they tend to have panic attacks at any time without any specific reason. If someone has this problem, it negatively affects both their personal and professional lives.

How can it be treated?

Therapy exercises under the supervision of mental health professionals play a very important role in controlling panic attacks . Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy play a very effective role in the case of patients who suffer from excessive fear or anxiety. In addition, various types of relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, and meditation are useful in dealing with panic attacks.

However, in many cases, the level of panic attacks is so high that the person is not physically or mentally in a condition to follow any such technique or method. In such cases, the help of medication is taken as per the advice of an experienced doctor. These medications provide relief from such distressing feelings and in many cases, they also help in controlling mood swings.

Make changes to your lifestyle to stay healthy.

It is possible to control or bring panic attacks to a tolerable level to a large extent by maintaining proper discipline in life and adhering to certain things. These things are:

• Exercise regularly.
• Eat nutritious food .
• Practicing stress management
• Sleep six to eight hours every day.
• Reduce the amount of tea and coffee you drink, especially avoid consuming caffeinated beverages seven to eight hours before bedtime.
• Having a specific routine for day and night work
• Spending enough time in daylight
• Spend some part of the day with nature.
• Spending time with family and close friends
• Take a brisk walk every day, even for a short period of time.

At the end of the article, I would like to give you another small piece of advice. Those who suffer from such problems should pay close attention to the events or environments that cause them to have panic attacks. Try to avoid those events and environments as much as possible. You will see that you will be fine.

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