When a person experiences the extremely terrifying symptoms of a panic attack, their levels of anxiety and fear can grow. Panic attacks are part of an anxiety disorder and cause sudden physical and mental attacks that can completely incapacitate the person. These panic attacks are so consuming that people often develop panic disorders from them.

During a panic attack, which the causes of are not directly known, the person may associate certain places or things with irrational fear. This can cause a panic disorder to form, where the patient develops phobias and then will attempt to avoid them. Often these symptoms build on one another until the person cannot perform daily functions or live a normal lifestyle. Extreme fear of a panic attack can actually cause a panic attack to occur. Panic attacks that happen more than once are a symptom of panic disorder.

A major symptom of panic disorder develops from phobias of specific places, people, objects or sensations. The person will then begin avoidance behavior and may develop agoraphobia, or the inability to leave the house, drive a car or perform other normal daily functions. Someone who develops agoraphobia will begin to have their entire life consumed by fears.

The increased anxiety levels shown by people suffering from panic disorders can have other negative effects as well. Panic disorders increase the likelihood of the person developing depression, claustrophobia, and substance or alcohol abuse and may increase the thoughts or actions of suicide. Depression and increased anxiety can also allow other psychiatric disorders to develop such as schizophrenia and delusions.

Getting help for the symptoms of panic disorder is essential to having a healthy life. Over 19million people in the United States suffer from panic disorder and specific phobias. You are not alone, there are many treatment options to panic disorders, you just have to take the first step and realize that you have a problem.

Filed under: Symptoms of Panic/Anxiety Attacks • Uncategorized

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