You are on page 1of 7

Krishna Menon

Panic
Disorder

When the fear starts to conquer you,


What do you do?

Krishna Menon

How to tell if YOU have a panic


disorder
Over 40 million Americans suffer from panic attacks,
which is approximately 18% of all Americans, according
to the Institute of Mental Health. Could one of those
Americans be you?

Symptoms of Panic
Disorders
People with panic disorder may
have: Sudden and repeated attacks
of fear, where they feel out of
control, and overwhelmed. They
intense worry about when the next
attack will happen, or what will
trigger it. Oftentimes, they have a
fear or avoidance of places where
panic attacks have occurred in the
past, or the situation that lead to
the panic attack, which can lead to
social reclusiveness and general
hermit-like life style and
agoraphobia. An attack is not
purely mental, and also has

Krishna Menon

CAUSES OF PANIC
DISORDER

Panic Disorder is never


your fault. Frustration and
anxiety are very real, and
undiagnosed panic is an
emotional nightmare
Scientists are unsure of the
exact cause of panic disorder.
Panic attacks run through
families, and you are more
likely to have a panic attack if
your family has a genetic
disposition Severe changes in
lifestyle, or significant drama
or stress also induces panic
attacks. Severe anxiety,
triggered by events such as a
traumatic event, or shock,
can trigger a panic attack.
Several medical conditions
can cause panic attacks, such
as, but not limited to, valve
prolapse, hyperthyroidism
(oversupply of thyroxin),
hypoglycemia, stimulant use,
medication or drug
withdrawal, and abuse of
albuterol or a similar heart
simulant.

Krishna Menon

YOURE NOT
ALONE
TREATMENTS FOR PANIC
DISORDER

- Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy: This is the most
common type of therapy,
and also usually the most
successful. It seeks out the
root of the problem, rather
than treating the
symptoms. It tries to
recreate the situation in
which you had the attack
and find what caused it,
known as the trigger,
and eliminate your fear by
presenting the fear in a
more logical manner that
dispels your fears. Once
you figure out that nothing
catastrophic will result
from your fear, your mania,
and therefore your panic,
disappears. This type of
treatment is handled by a
therapist or psychologist.
- Exposure Therapy: This
type of therapy heps you
deal with your panic

Krishna Menon

DIAGNOSIS
Better Safe Than Sorry

Some peoples
lives become so
restricted that they
avoid normal
activities, such as
grocery shopping
or driving. About
one-third become
housebound or are
able to confront a
feared situation
only when
accompanied by a
spouse or other
trusted person.
When the
condition
progresses this far,
-NIMH
it is called

Panic attacks can happen anytime,


whether it be while youre at school or
fast asleep. They can strike at any
time, and it is vital that you be
proactive in both acknowledging your
panic disorder and finding treatment.
If you fear that you may have a panic
disorder, please see a doctor as soon
as possible, since panic grows only
worse if left untreated. If you feel you
may have a panic disorder. Your
doctor should give you some
medication to temporarily relieve your
pain and confusion, while he or she
refers you to a specialist.
However, it is vital to confirm that you
do have a panic disorder. The
symptoms of a panic disorder can
come from various other mental
diseases, such as depression,
arrhythmia, alcoholism or drug abuse.
It is vital to list your symptoms to your

Krishna Menon

Living with a panic disorder IS POSSIBLE. Millions


of people coexist with their panic disorder, with
most eliminating it completely by the end of their
life.
Anxiety disorders, when
paired with the life-saving
combination of therapy and
treatment, is completely
manageable, and becomes a
normal part of most peoples
lives, simply another task to
deal with. People with an
anxiety disorder are three to
five times more likely to go to
the doctor and six times more
likely to be hospitalized for
psychiatric disorders than

Cras faucibus tempor magna. Maecenas dapibus


sodales erat. Aenean sem felis.

Krishna Menon

Berkeley Preparatory
4811
Kelly Road, Tampa, FL 33615
School
www.BerkeleyPrep.org

You might also like