Definition of Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterised by repeated and regular panic attacks. A panic attack is an unexpected incident of forceful fear and associated physical symptoms. In the UK, it is surveyed that one out of every hundred people suffers from panic syndrome, which frequently develops in the 20s age group and is twice more common in women than men.

Experiencing the feelings of restlessness, anxiety and even panic is natural. However, for someone with panic attack problem these feelings are extremely intense, occur on a regular basis and usually has no obvious reason. This makes panic disorder unpredictable, which can link to fear and anxiety.

Other situations may cause severe anxiety, and may be related to panic disorder such as phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and general anxiety disorder (GAD).

A panic attack can be an incredibly frightening experience for you and your family and can lead to increased anxiety about experiencing another one in the future.

Treatment of panic disorder

There are two key forms of treatment for panic disorder: therapy and/or medication. A common type of therapy is cognitive behavioural therapy from panic issue therapists, although other talking therapies may also be suitable. Antidepressant medication is sometimes also used to treat panic disorder and study indicates that this is successful in over half of cases of panic disorder.

There are also numerous self-help methods for panic disorder. These include: positive picturing, learning not to fight the symptoms of a panic attack, relaxation practices and regular exercise. These are all aspects that may be explored in depth by a therapist who will work to symptom relief and improvement of the condition.