Panic disorder is a condition belonging to an anxiety disorder characterized by the occurrence of panic attacks suddenly, anytime and anywhere, and experienced repeatedly. Under normal conditions, everyone can experience anxiety at certain times as a form of the body's natural response in dealing with stress or life-threatening situations. However, in people with panic disorder, feelings of anxiety, panic, and stress occur unexpectedly, regardless of the time or situation that is happening in the environment, over and over again, often without anything dangerous or anything to be afraid of.
Panic disorder is more common in women than men. This disorder generally develops as a person gets older, and in most cases is triggered by stress.
Panic disorder can be cured through psychotherapy which is carried out in stages to provide understanding and ways of thinking to patients in dealing with panic disorder, before the symptoms begin to be felt. Apart from psychotherapy, medication is also used to treat panic disorder.
Causes of Panic Disorder
In some cases, panic disorder is suspected to be genetically inherited. However, there has been no research that has been able to prove why this disorder can be inherited in one or a few family members, but not in other family members.
Research has found that certain parts of the brain and biological processes play a key role in regulating feelings of fear and anxiety. Some experts consider that people with panic disorder have a mistake in interpreting body movements or sensations that are actually harmless, but are considered a threat. In addition, external factors such as environmental factors are also considered to be triggers for panic disorder.
The following are factors that trigger panic disorder:
- Stress is the main trigger.
- Family medical history.
- A traumatic event that has been experienced, such as an accident or serious illness.
- Drastic changes in life, such as divorce or having children.
- Consuming too much caffeine and nicotine.
- History of experiencing physical or sexual abuse.
Symptoms of Panic Disorder
The symptoms of panic disorder, usually develop in adolescence into adulthood. The signs that will be felt when experiencing panic disorder are experiencing more than three panic attacks and always feeling afraid because of the panic attacks that keep happening.
The fear that is created in people with panic attacks is a fear that is very gripping and frightening, and can occur at random times or locations (anytime and anywhere).
In one panic attack, the symptoms that occur can last for 10-20 minutes. In rare cases, panic symptoms can last for more than an hour. The symptoms caused can also generally vary and vary from person to person with panic disorder.
Other symptoms associated with panic attacks are:
- Dizzy
- Vertigo.
- Nauseous.
- Hard to breathe.
- Feel like suffocating.
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
- Chest pain.
- Sweating
- Shivering.
- Shaky.
- seizures.
- Dry mouth.
- Heart beat.
- Changes in mental state, such as feeling that things aren't real or being depersonalised.
- The fear of death.
Panic Disorder Diagnosis
A diagnosis of panic disorder, as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder/DSM-5), it is important to rule out other causes or conditions similar to panic disorder. According to the DSM-5, in diagnosing panic disorder, there are several important points, namely:
- Panic disorder is characterized by frequent panic attacks.
- Panic disorder with panic attacks that are not due to the effects of taking drugs or due to illness.
- Panic disorder is not associated with other mental disorders, such as certain phobias such as social phobia, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, to obsessive compulsive disorder.
For initial diagnosis, the doctor will determine whether the patient suffers from thyroid hormone disorders or heart disease from the symptoms that arise during a panic attack. To help make a diagnosis of panic disorder, your doctor will perform tests in the form of:
- Filling out a questionnaire or discussing a history of abuse of alcoholic beverages or other substances
- Evaluation of mental status regarding symptoms of panic disorder being experienced, anxiety, fear, stress, personal problems, current conditions, and medical history.
- Thorough physical examination.
- Blood tests to check thyroid function and examination of heart records (electrocardiography).
Panic Disorder Treatment
Panic disorder treatment methods are used to reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks, and improve quality of life. The two main treatment methods for dealing with panic disorder are psychotherapy and medication. The treatment method used will be tailored to the patient's overall health and the severity of the panic disorder being experienced.
PsychotherapyPsychotherapy is believed to be an effective primary treatment method for panic disorder. In psychotherapy, the doctor will provide understanding and change the patient's way of thinking so that they can deal with the panic situation they are facing. One form of psychotherapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy.cognitive behavioral therapy) which will provide understanding and ways of thinking in dealing with panic as a situation that is not life-threatening. At this stage, the doctor will gradually create conditions that will trigger the symptoms of panic disorder. However, this condition will be carried out with due regard to patient safety. The therapy is expected to form habits and behaviors of patients who no longer feel threatened. In addition, psychotherapy will also be successful in increasing the patient's confidence in eliminating feelings of fear, if previous panic attacks have been able to be handled.
Psychotherapy does require time and effort from the patient, but this therapy will bring the patient in a better condition than before. The results of psychotherapy, namely changes in the way of thinking and actions that will be taken by patients in dealing with attacks, can be felt within a few weeks to several months. Therefore, patients will be advised to undergo psychotherapy on a regular basis to ensure that the symptoms of panic disorder can be managed and prevent recurrence.
Drugs Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), as fluoxetine or sertraline. This antidepressant drug is quite safe and has a low risk of side effects. This type of medication would be recommended as the first line of treatment to relieve a panic attack. Benzodiazepines, as alprazolam or clonazepam. This sedative drug works by suppressing activity in the central nervous system. This drug is only taken for a short period of time, because it can cause drug dependence, and physical or mental disorders. If you want to take this drug, avoid consuming alcoholic beverages. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including supplements and herbal products, to avoid unwanted interactions. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), as venlafaxine. This is an antidepressant drug that can be used as another option by doctors to relieve the symptoms of a panic attack. In panic disorder that is not handled properly, it will make the patient's condition worse and cause a number of other problems, such as depression, alcoholism or drug abuse, becoming antisocial, and problems at school or work, to financial problems. There is no way that can significantly prevent the occurrence of panic disorder. However, there are several actions we can take to reduce the symptoms that occur. Among others are:Complications of Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder Prevention