What is panic disorder?

It’s natural to feel anxious before big events, like job interviews or first dates. But for people with panic disorder, the persistent fear and anxiety of panic attacks can appear without warning. The sudden surge of these intense emotions can make people avoid everyday activities, like driving or socializing, as the fear of having another panic attack takes over.

Around six million U.S. adults experience panic disorder every year, and it’s twice as common in women as in men. This condition often starts in the teen or early adulthood years but can also begin in childhood. Some research indicates that having a family history of panic disorder may increase your likelihood of developing panic disorder.

Although the symptoms of panic disorder can be frightening, they aren’t dangerous. Panic disorder is a treatable condition that you can manage by practicing self-care, going to therapy, and (in some cases) taking medication.

Without treatment, panic disorder may lead to depression or agoraphobia, in which the fear of being in a public place and having a panic attack results in you not wanting to leave your home.

What do panic disorder symptoms feel like?

Panic disorder causes a person to experience frequent panic attacks. They can happen without warning and result in feelings of intense fear and discomfort that peak within minutes.

These panic attacks occur when stress hormones trigger the body’s “fight-or-flight” response and can lead to symptoms like a racing heart rate or feeling nauseated.

The frequency and severity of attacks can vary from one person to the next. Some people with panic disorder experience several panic attacks a day, while others might have a few attacks over the course of a year. Since many symptoms of panic disorder are physical and can mimic other health conditions, a doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation to accurately diagnose panic disorder and rule out other conditions.

Symptoms of panic disorder can be both physical and psychological. A doctor, therapist, or psychiatric provider will use the following criteria to diagnose panic disorder.

To receive a panic disorder diagnosis, you must have experienced a panic attack that involves at least four of these symptoms:

• Racing or pounding heart
• Sweating or chills
• Stomach pain or nausea
• Weakness or dizziness
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Sweating
• Numbness or tingling
• Feeling detached from oneself
• Fear of losing control or going crazy
• Fear of dying
• Feelings of helplessness and fear

If panic disorder is left untreated, it can interfere with your daily life. Many people with panic disorder avoid social situations, driving, work, or school due to anticipatory anxiety (the fear of having future panic attacks). This constant worry often leads them to steer clear of anything that might trigger a future episode.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of panic disorder, consider meeting with a mental health professional. Although panic attacks aren’t life threatening, they can be challenging to manage on your own. A therapist can help you develop self-care strategies and formulate a treatment plan that may include therapy, medication, or both.

What causes panic disorder?

Panic disorder is a mental health condition defined by recurrent and unprovoked panic attacks. It may also cause significant concern or worry about having future attacks. Or it could cause you to avoid situations that you fear will lead to a panic attack. Although experts don’t know the exact cause of panic disorder, there’s some evidence that factors including genetics, stress, environment, and brain chemistry might play a role.

Panic disorder often develops after a major life change, like experiencing the death of a loved one or losing a job. Also, panic disorder often starts in childhood or adolescence and occurs more frequently in women than in men. Panic attacks can also occur on their own without developing into panic disorder.

The following factors can increase your risk of developing panic disorder:

• A family history of panic disorder (first-degree relatives have a 40% chance of developing panic disorder if someone in their family also has the condition)
• Adverse childhood experiences
• Chemical imbalances in the brain
• Trouble dealing with negative emotions

Panic disorder treatment options

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication are two effective treatments for panic disorder. But many therapists recommend starting with self-care strategies, like practicing deep breathing and adopting a regular exercise regimen, before trying medication.

Research shows that exercising at low to moderate intensity for 15 to 30 minutes at least three times a week can reduce anxiety. Research has also shown that meditation and yoga can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Apart from CBT, other types of therapy can help people manage the symptoms of panic disorder. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of therapy that mental health professionals use to manage symptoms of anxiety and decrease the frequency of panic attacks.

Research has also shown exposure therapy to be effective in treating panic disorder, since it gradually exposes you to triggers to help interrupt cycles of fear and avoidance that can negatively impact your life.

Find care with Rula

Most people experience occasional anxiety. But if you’re having frequent panic attacks or living in a constant state of fear and worry, it could be a sign of an underlying mental health condition, like panic disorder.

If anxiety and fear are having a negative impact on your life, know that you’re not alone and help is available. Rula makes it easy to find a therapist who can help you address the root cause of your panic disorder so you can get back to feeling your best. In just a few seconds, we can connect you with a provider who accepts your insurance and specializes in treating panic disorder.

Get started with Rula today