Panic disorder is a debilitating anxiety disorder that is characterized by experiencing episodes of extreme anxiety, known as panic attacks. The fear of having panic attacks keeps people who are living with panic disorder from the tasks of their everyday lives, making it challenging to enjoy life to its fullest. Treatment for panic disorder can help people living with this mental illness to better understand their diagnosis, utilize helpful services, and know what to do to manage symptoms of this condition. So, what can you expect from treatment for panic disorder, and what are the benefits of seeking this type of help?
People who struggle with anxiety may experience panic attacks, which are episodes of extreme anxiety. Symptoms of panic attacks can include feelings of fear, a heavy or tight chest, trouble breathing, nausea, increased heart rate, sweating, and dryness of the mouth. Panic attacks are extremely frightening and many people who haven’t had a panic attack and have their first one may think that they are having a heart attack. But, panic attacks typically fade after a few minutes or, at most, an hour. While anyone can have a panic attack due to extreme stress or anxiety, people who are living with panic disorder can have panic attacks out of the blue without any known reason. Furthermore, people living with panic disorder experience panic attacks more frequently as a result of having a severe fear of panic attacks. So, panic attacks do not define panic disorder, but the fear of having panic attacks does.
There are a number of types of services that make up treatment for panic disorder. There is no one cause for the development of anxiety disorders like panic disorder, so it’s important for people diagnosed with this condition to find the solutions that best work for them. Finding effective treatment for panic disorder can mean helping to reduce the severity and frequency of panic attacks. And, learning what to do to better manage the symptoms of panic attacks when they occur. Some examples of effective treatment services that can help people living with panic disorder can include:
Panic disorder treatment can be beneficial to people living with panic disorder in a number of ways including:
Looking for treatment for panic disorder so that you can get back to the things you love and manage the symptoms of this condition? Delray Center for Healing offers outpatient treatment services for people living with anxiety disorders. Find out how we can help and more about the services we offer on our website.