Panic Disorder And How It Affects People's Lives
Most of us have dealt with fear and stress to some degree. There are many situations in life that cause these things to occur but most people are able to get past them and leave the anxiety behind. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to do this - in some cases people suffer from a Panic Disorder that makes them live with fear and stress their entire lives.
Panic Disorder (PD) is a serious condition - the feelings that arise from it are often irrational for the situation and can show up any time, often unexpectedly. Everyday situations like work or family matters can cause panic attacks, leading to problems coping with common events.
Panic attacks have a number of symptoms ranging from an elevated heart rate, dizziness, nausea, terror to even a fear of death. If left unchecked, Panic Disorder can lead to phobias, medical complications, substance abuse and in extreme cases, suicide.
People dealing with anxiety and phobias often live in constant fear of having an attack, which simply compounds the problem. They often restrict their lives to avoid any kind of situation that they fear could lead to an anxiety attack. The end result can be a feeling of being alone, without support for the problem.
The effects of Panic Disorder can range from being relatively mild to withdrawing from social contact or ultimately to agoraphobia. This can leave a person housebound for most of their life, fearing that they will find themselves in a situation that causes anxiety.
Anyone who has these feelings of fear and anxiety, particularly when there is no rational reason for them, should consult with their doctor for a diagnosis. The earlier this is done the better, as it is easier to overcome the disorder if it is identified and treated early.
Treatment for Panic Disorder includes therapy as well as medication. There is no single definitive cure, however. Some people respond better to medication while others respond to therapy. The best course of action is to get a proper diagnosis and treatment for anxiety from your doctor.
