What is panic disorder? How and by whom is panic disorder treated?
What is panic disorder? How is panic disorder treated and by whom?
Panic disorder is the presence of recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, and after these attacks, another panic attack occurs for at least a month. A constant worry about what will happen next
(anticipatory anxiety) or worry about the possible consequences of panic attacks
or some significant behavioral changes or attitudes associated with these attacks
It can be defined as the emergence of changes.
The frequency and severity of panic attacks vary greatly. While some people have moderately frequent panic attacks (like once a week) regularly for months; Some people, after having very frequent
panic attacks for a while (such as every day for a week), may not have any
panic attacks for weeks or months, or they may have less frequent panic attacks (such as twice a month).
People with panic disorder have certain concerns about the consequences of panic attacks
or attribute certain meanings to these attacks. Some people think that these attacks are indicative of an undiagnosed, important disease. After necessary investigations,
despite adequate assurance, they generally continue these thoughts. Others think panic
attacks are a sign that they're going crazy. Some people with recurrent panic attacks
change some of their attitudes in response to the panic attacks they experience (e.g.
They may quit their job, they may refrain from doing sports).
A new panic. Worrying about having an attack or its possible consequences often leads to avoidance behavior. If the avoidance behavior is at a level sufficient to meet the diagnostic criteria for agoraphobia
, then it is called "panic disorder with agoraphobia"
.
What is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack occurs during a period of intense fear or distress, when there is no real danger.
During a completely separate period of physical or cognitive decline. It is the presence of at least four of the 13 symptoms
Physical:
Palpitation,
Chest pain or tightness in the chest,
Shortness of breath or a feeling of choking,
A feeling of choking,
Nausea or abdominal distress,
Trembling or shaking,
Dizziness or lightheadedness,
Numbness,
Chills and hot flashes,
Sweating
Cognitive:
Feeling of unreality (derealization) or feeling alienated from oneself
(depersonalization)
Fear of losing control or going crazy,
Fear of death.
A panic attack begins suddenly and reaches its peak rapidly (usually within 10 minutes or less
). Often, it is thought that there is danger nearby or that a bad end is approaching, and
the desire to escape arises.
There are three specific types of panic attacks:
Unexpected,
p>
Situational,
Attacks with a situational predisposition.
Unexpected panic attacks, "for no reason". These are attacks that occur spontaneously;
situational panic attacks are attacks that always occur when a situation is encountered or when there is an expectation of encountering it
Situational predisposition attacks are similar to situational panic
attacks, but sometimes panic attacks may not occur in the situation in question.
What is Agoraphobia?
Anxiety about being in places or situations from which it may be difficult (or embarrassing) to escape
or panic attack or panic-like symptoms (such as sudden dizziness or heart palpitations)
It is the feeling of anxiety and worry about being in places or situations where help cannot be received in case of a crisis (such as the fear of a crisis occurring).
The anxiety and anxiety experienced leads to constant avoidance of some situations. These
Among these:
Not staying outside the house or alone at home,
Not being in an environment with many people,
By car or bus. , not taking off by plane,
not crossing the bridge and not taking the elevator.
Some people encounter these situations that they fear and go through them with great distress or fear
They get angry. Most of the time, they can tolerate such situations better when someone is with them.
Who gets Panic Disorder and how often?
Lifetime prevalence of panic disorder is % It varies between 1-2. It usually begins in the late teens and mid-30s. Its incidence peaks twice in the lifespan, the first being in late adolescence, and the second, at a lower level, reaching its peak in the mid-30s. It usually does not start after the age of 45.
People with panic disorder also have depression, social phobia, generalized anxiety
disorder, specific phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder
/p>
Other mental disorders may also be present.
How is Panic Disorder Diagnosed?
The diagnosis must be made by a psychiatrist. There are no laboratory findings to diagnose panic disorder. Panic Disorder is diagnosed by performing a detailed psychiatric examination and, if necessary, additional psychiatric tests. Panic attacks can be seen in many diseases such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, if there is any additional disease
their differential diagnosis should be made and treatment should be arranged according to these diseases.
How and by whom is the treatment of panic disorder performed?
Panic disorder is a treatable disorder that can be treated very successfully today.
Various medications, such as antidepressants and anxiolytics, can be used in the treatment of panic disorder. Medications are used to reduce the severity and frequency of Panic Attacks, reduce anticipatory anxiety
and treat accompanying depression. If the level of anxiety begins to negatively affect the person's social life, relationships, and business life, medication should definitely be used. Medications can also increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy.
However, if the treatment of Panic Disorder is done only with medication, the treatment will be incomplete. Therefore
psychotherapy must also be applied. The most effective psychotherapy method for this disorder is Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy (CBT). Panic disorder patients or Studies have shown that a good Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy is over 90% effective in the treatment of Panic Disorder. With this psychotherapy, the causes of panic attacks and anxiety are investigated and revealed, the person's ability to combat anxiety-provoking factors is increased, he learns what to do during panic attacks and how to cope with the attacks. Psychotherapy treatment is absolutely necessary in order to minimize the possibility of panic attacks occurring again after drug treatment is discontinued.
Therefore, it is possible to say that it would be appropriate to treat panic disorder by a specialist who is well versed in psychiatric drug treatment and has received psychotherapy training, and that it will increase the chance of success in the treatment.
If there is a situation that does not completely improve, either drug treatment is not sufficient, or it is not used as required
or psychotherapy is inadequate.
Read: 0
