Panic disorders, commonly known as panic attacks are a degree of anxiety disorders, where both physical and psychological symptoms are experienced as a result of anxiety. For people with a panic disorder, anxiety, intense worry, fear and a rush of unwelcomed energy are usually signs of a panic attack.
Although living with panic disorders do not carry immediate life-threatening impacts, if untreated or misdiagnosed, this condition can develop into life-changing mental health conditions. Likewise, unexpected panic attacks and the consistent feelings of anxiety and sheer panic can reduce quality of life, making it a difficult disorder to manage and potentially lead to other conditions such as drug or alcohol addiction.
If you’re living with the symptoms of panic disorders or regularly experiencing panic attacks, we recommend reaching out for professional support. Living in fear or panic shouldn’t be experienced by anyone. Our team here at Asana Lodge can help uncover what’s causing your panic disorders while treating the side effects and drug or alcohol addictions.
What are Panic Disorders?
Panic attacks are very common. They can happen to any individual experiencing anxiety, worry or chronic stress. However, for those who are diagnosed with panic disorders, the degree of symptoms is unmanageable and worrying. The great concern is present when considering the abnormal levels of brain activity and pressures experienced.
As mentioned above, although panic attacks themselves do not cause life-threatening symptoms, without psychological therapies, those side effects can develop into severe mental health conditions.
Living in fear, experiencing panic, attempting to control what feels like a heart attack and having anxious energy will reduce the quality of life and the ability to lead everyday responsibilities. Those who experience panic disorders are likely to avoid social interaction, new experiences, or any activity which influences anxiety and their underlying triggers, with the fear that another panic attack will present itself.
They are at greater risk of developing phobias and addictions to drugs or alcohol, which can deteriorate health and happiness even further. This isn’t a life you should continue to lead.
If your life is negatively impacted by panic, receiving suitable anxiety treatment is encouraged. Suitable treatment is key to ensuring that the side effects of your panic disorder diagnosis can be managed and treated.
Physical Symptoms of Panic Attacks
Symptoms of panic attacks can vary from person to person. Yet, the mutual factor is that symptoms rapidly develop, commonly peaking at around 10 minutes in. Symptoms of panic disorders can also last for hours, making it difficult to overcome and brush past a severe panic attack.
Physical symptoms of panic disorder include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Sweating
- Chest pains or pressure
- Breathlessness
- Trembling
- Feelings resembling a heart attack
As many physical symptoms resemble alternative conditions, it is important that accurate evaluations are made before treatment is recommended for panic disorders.
Psychological Symptoms of Panic Disorder
Alongside physical symptoms, it is easy to see how psychological symptoms of panic disorders can be experienced; especially as it’s classified as a mental health disorder. By attempting to manage the physical side effects of anxiety, psychological symptoms are likely to follow.
Psychological symptoms of panic disorder include:
- Feeling like you’re out of control
- The development of mental health conditions, including paranoia, anxiety and depression
- Uncontrollable or fantasy thoughts
- Feelings of detachment or dissociation
- Out-of-body experiences
- Behavioural changes
As psychological symptoms of panic attacks can become chronic, it is likely that feelings of anxiety will be heightened, in turn, worsening physical symptoms. With this in mind, it is vital that treatment for panic disorders is sourced, especially if you’re living with its cumulative effects.
The Consequences of Undiagnosed Panic Disorder
Some mild levels of panic disorders can be managed privately at home. However, for those with moderate to chronic symptoms, undiagnosed, misdiagnosed or untreated panic disorders can lead to severe consequences.
The main concern is the link between panic disorders and mental health conditions. People with panic disorders are at greater risk of developing cognitive impairment and mental health deterioration, including depression, obsessive behaviours, suicidal thoughts, schizophrenia and phobias. These negative feelings or associations will be fuelled by the worry of experiencing another panic attack.
A further concern of undiagnosed panic disorders is the correlation between panic attacks and substance abuse. Many individuals will attempt to control their feelings of anxiety by self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. Yet, this behaviour can develop into an alcohol or drug addiction, as great reliance is placed on its effects. Here, there’s great worry that a dual diagnosis may develop, known to advance panic disorders further.
There is also the risk of a link between panic disorders and further physical health conditions. Those who experience severe anxiety or fear are at higher risk of experiencing cardiovascular and respiratory issues, irritable bowel syndrome and migraines; all contributing to a reduced quality of life.
To avoid the consequences of an undiagnosed, misdiagnosed or untreated panic disorder, we urge individuals experiencing physical and psychological symptoms to reach out. Here at Asana Lodge, we can help people with panic disorders and mental health conditions through personalised, suitable treatment programmes.
Treating Panic Disorders and Addiction at Asana Lodge
As panic disorders are classified as brain illnesses, it is important that treating panic attacks or anxiety involves psychological therapies. Treatment options including support groups, cognitive behavioural therapy and individual therapy will act as primary care services.
However, here at Asana Lodge, we look beyond traditional treatment options for dual diagnosis panic disorder and addiction treatment. Many common treatments for panic disorder include prescription medications, and a proportion of those medications can cause toxicity in the brain, with the risk of developing further mental health conditions and low activity. Non-traditional treatment options will be promoted, including natural supplements, exercise and talking therapies.
To experience our low-risk and effective approach to treating panic disorder and addiction treatment, contact our team today. If your quality of life is reduced, due to panic, addiction or anxiety, we highly recommend considering psychological therapies as a starting point.
