WHAT
ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A PANIC ATTACK?
As described above, the symptoms of a panic attack appear suddenly,
without any apparent cause. They may include:
-
Racing or pounding heartbeat
-
Chest pains
-
Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea
-
Difficulty breathing
-
Tingling or numbness in the hands
-
Flushes or chills
-
Dreamlike sensations or perceptual distortions
-
Terror--a sense that something unimaginably horrible is about
to occur and one is powerless to prevent it
-
Fear of losing control and doing something embarrassing
-
Fear of dying
A panic attack typically lasts for several minutes and is one
of the most distressing conditions that a person can experience.
Most who have one attack will have others. When someone has repeated
attacks, or feels severe anxiety about having another attack,
he or she is said to have panic disorder.
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WHAT
IS PANIC DISORDER?
Panic disorder is a serious health problem in this country. At
least 1.6 percent of adult Americans, or 3 million people, will
have panic disorder at some time in their lives. The disorder
is strikingly different from other types of anxiety in that panic
attacks are so sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often
disabling.
Once someone has had a panic attack--for example while driving,
shopping in a crowded store, or riding in an elevator--he or she
may develop irrational fears, called phobias, about these situations
and begin to avoid them. Eventually, the pattern of avoidance
and level of anxiety about another attack may reach the point
where the individual with panic disorder may be unable to drive
or even step out of the house. At this stage, the person is said
to have panic disorder with agoraphobia. Thus panic disorder can
have as serious an impact on a person's daily life as other major
illnesses--unless the individual receives effective treatment.
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IS
PANIC DISORDER SERIOUS?
Yes, panic disorder is real and potentially disabling, but it
can be controlled with specific treatments. Because of the disturbing
symptoms that accompany panic disorder, it may be mistaken for
heart disease or some other life-threatening medical illness.
People frequently go to hospital emergency rooms when they are
having a panic attack, and extensive medical tests may be performed
to rule out these other conditions.
Others often try to reassure the person who is having a panic
attack that he or she is not in great danger. Expressions such
as "nothing serious," "all in your head," or "nothing to worry
about" may give the incorrect impression that there is no real
problem and that treatment is not possible or necessary.
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WHAT
IS THE TREATMENT FOR PANIC DISORDER?
Thanks to research, there are a variety of treatments available,
including several effective medications, and also specific forms
of psychotherapy. Often, a combination of psychotherapy and medications
produces good results. Some improvement may be noticed in a fairly
short period of time--about 6 to 8 weeks. Thus appropriate treatment
of panic disorder can prevent panic attacks or at least substantially
reduce their severity and frequency--bringing significant relief
to 70 to 90 percent of people with panic disorder.
In addition, people with panic disorder may need treatment for
other emotional problems. Depression has often been associated
with panic disorder, as have alcohol and drug abuse. Recent research
also suggests that suicide attempts are more frequent in people
with panic disorder. Fortunately, these problems associated with
panic disorder can be overcome effectively, just like panic disorder
itself.
Tragically, many people with panic disorder do not seek or receive
treatment. To encourage recognition and treatment of panic disorder,
the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is sponsoring a
major information campaign to acquaint the public and health care
professionals with this disorder. NIMH is the agency of the U.S.
government responsible for improving the mental health of the
American people by supporting research on the brain and mental
disorders and by increasing public understanding of these conditions
and their treatment.
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WHAT
HAPPENS IF PANIC DISORDER IS NOT TREATED?
Panic disorder tends to continue for months or years. It typically
begins in young adulthood, but the symptoms may arise earlier
or later in life. If left untreated, it may worsen to the point
where the person's life is seriously affected by panic attacks
and by attempts to avoid or conceal them. In fact, many people
have had problems with friends and family or lost jobs while struggling
to cope with panic disorder. It does not usually go away unless
the person receives treatments designed specifically to help people
with panic disorder.
So, if you or someone you know has symptoms like those described
in this brochure, it is important to see a health care professional
for a correct diagnosis and proper treatment.
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WHAT
CAUSES PANIC DISORDER?
According to one theory of panic disorder, the body's normal "alarm
system" tends to be triggered unnecessarily. Scientists don't
know exactly why this happens. Panic disorder has been found to
run in families, and this may mean that inheritance (genes) plays
a strong role in determining who will get it. However, many people
who have no family history of the disorder develop it. Often the
first attacks are triggered by physical illnesses, a major life
stress, or certain medications.
NIMH supports research with animals and humans to learn more about
the causes of panic disorder and to find better ways of controlling
it.
WHERE
DO I WRITE FOR MORE INFORMATION?
Anxiety
Disorders Association of America
6000 Executive Boulevard, Suite 513
Rockville, MD 20852
American
Psychiatric Association
1400 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
American
Psychological Association
750 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002-4242
National
Institute of Mental Health
Panic Campaign
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7C-02
Rockville, MD 20857
All
material in this pamphlet is free of copyright restrictions and
may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission from
the Institute; citation of the source is appreciated.
This
pamphlet was written by Mary Lynn Hendrix, science writer in the
Office of Scientific Information, NIMH. This pamphlet is provided
by the NIMH Panic Disorder Education Program. For more information,
call 1-800-64-PANIC.
