One of the several anxiety disorders which involves an intense, abrupt
and oftentimes debilitating period of discomfort and fear is panic
disorders. Panic disorders can be triggered by several real or imagined
situations or circumstances and affecta millions of men and women of
all ages. There are several DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria that must be
fulfilled in order to classify someone as having
panic disorder,
as pointed out by Gerald Klerman of the World Psychiatric Association
and author of the book, "Panic Anxiety and Its Treatments".
First, when a person was exposed to a situation that doesn't typically
cause anxiety that sets off a panic attack. Examples of routine actions
and situations are washing the dishes, going to the market, or watching
a movie. The panic attack must also not be triggered by a situation
where the person was the center of attention, such as a public speaking
event, a birthday party, or other situations where they were the focus
of a crowd.
Secondly, 4 attacks must have occurred within a
four-week period, or the person must have experienced continuous fear
after having an attack. Difficulty sleeping, extreme paranoia and
restlessness are some of the symptoms of constant fear.
Third, if a person during the occurrence of a
panic attack
has at least four of these symptoms: trembling or shaking; sweating;
shortness of breath; dizziness; depersonalization; numbness or
tingling; hot flashes; fear of dying; chest pain or discomfort;
accelerated heart rate; nausea; choking; and fear of going crazy.
Fourth, the person must have experienced at least four of the symptoms
in increased intensity within 10 minutes of the beginning of the first
symptom they noticed they were having during the panic attack. In many
cases, this means the person was feeling very out of control,
unbalanced, and even confused.
Finally, rule out the
possibility that the attack was triggered by caffeine, amphetamines or
hyper-thyroidism. Many people experience the symptoms of panic disorder
because they have become dependent on over-the-counter stimulants, or
have an unaddressed medical condition. If the person is taking
stimulants, they do not fall into this criteria.
Millions of
people experience panic disorders, and panic disorder is just on of the
several anxiety disorders. Panic disorders is a problem because it
tends to interfere with social relationships, limit the person's
ability to work, or to live a fulfilling life. If you or someone you
know is suffering from panic disorder, it is possible to get cured
using an effective anxiety treatment
There is no need for
anyone to suffer for the rest of their lives from the ill effects of
extreme anxiety and panic attacks. Panic disorder treatments may
require medical intervention only in extreme cases; most people can
make changes to their lifestyle, ensure they are eating a well-balanced
diet and getting enough sleep, and learning healthy ways to cope with
stress. Some people may also benefit from taking natural supplements
that reduce anxiety and help to alleviate some of the symptoms of a
panic attack but this method will only work after an extended period of
time.
There is a highly effective anxiety treatment that has
helped thousands of people to get rid of their panic attacks. There is
no need to take any medication when using this anxiety treatment. It is
possible for a person to get rid of their panic attacks once and for
all using the right
anxiety treatment.