Panic Disorder

The Oxford Medical Dictionary's definition of this disorder is as follows:

"panic disorder- a condition featuring recurrent brief episodes of acute distress, mental confusion, and fear of impending death. The heart beats rapidly, breathing is deep and fast, and sweating occurs. Over-breathing (hyperventilation) often makes the attack worse. These panic attacks usually occur about twice a week but may be more frequent and they are especially common in people with agoraphobia. The condition appears to be an organic disorder with a strong psychological component. Treatment is with antidepressant drugs. Behavior therapy can also be helpful."

To me, it sounds like panic disorder is a condition where a person has had and continues to have panic attacks on a fairly regular basis.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are several criteria that can be used by doctors to obtain a diagnosis of panic disorder. What are the symptoms of panic disorder?

If you have not been diagnosed with panic disorder, but you think you might have this condition, talk to your doctor.

Once you've obtained diagnosis, treatment can begin.

You may even know someone personally.

In fact, there are many celebrities and famous people who have openly discussed the fact that they regularly have or have had panic attacks. Here is a great article for those who wonder how to help your loved one through a panic attack.

There are also many support groups where people get together and talk to one another about their own personal experiences.

I found this to be useful and helpful in learning to cope with panic attacks.

Learning that there were many other people who had experienced panic attacks helped me understand that I was not alone, and made me feel more optimistic about my own future.

Fear and Panic Attacks

There are many fears that can trigger regular panic attacks. Things such as a fear of flying, fear of dying, fear of heights, and a fear of public speaking can all be possible triggers for panic attacks. See more about the difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks.

The fear of panic attacks had a definite impact on my life, and I would always wonder "are panic attacks dangerous?". Thankfully, according to what my doctor told me, they're not.

In my own life, I was always filled with adventure... Then I started having panic attacks.

I was never afraid of flying, but after I started having regular panic attacks, I wouldn't dream of flying.

However, I love flying once again.

I always felt comfortable speaking in front of people, although I experienced stage fright a few times after I started having panic attacks on a regular basis.

However, now I feel more comfortable than ever speaking in front of a large crowd.

I was literally afraid of having another panic attack, and I tried my best to avoid having a panic attack, yet it did nothing to help, and according to my doctor, only made the situation worse.

The fear of panic attacks ultimately seemed to make all of my other fears (many of which I never had before) worse.

Oddly enough, when I stopped being afraid of panic attacks, all of the other fears subsided.

I found that welcoming a panic attack and letting go of any fear associated with it helped me out greatly.

Dealing with the fears associated with a panic attack, as well as the fear of a future panic attack helped me learn to cope with a panic attack if I ever had one, and helped with controlling panic attacks overall.

I even created my own set of tips for panic attacks from what I learned from my counselor as well as from research that I had done.

Speaking with my doctor and receiving treatment was the most important part in me overcoming panic attacks, as was seeing a counselor.

More About Panic Disorder