Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder
“It started 10 years ago,when I had just graduated from college and started a new job. I was sitting in a business seminar in a hotel and this thing came out of the blue.
I felt like I was dying.” “For me, a panic attack is almost a violent experience. I feel
disconnected from reality. I feel like I'm losing control in a very extreme way.
My heart pounds really hard, I feel like I can’t get my breath, and there’s an
overwhelming feeling that things are crashing in on me.”
“In between attacks, there is this dread and anxiety that it’s going to happen again.
I’m afraid to go back to places where I’ve had an attack. Unless I get help, there soonwon’t be anyplace where I can go and feel safe from panic.”
Panic disorder is a real illness that can be successfully treated. It is
characterized by sudden attacks of terror, usually accompanied by a
pounding heart, sweatiness,weakness, faintness, or dizziness. During
these attacks, people with panic disorder may flush or feel chilled;
their hands may tingle or feel numb; and they may experience nausea,
chest pain, or smothering sensations. Panic attacks usually produce
a sense of unreality, a fear of impending doom, or a fear of
losing control.
A fear of one’s own unexplained physical symptoms is also a symptom
of panic disorder.People having panic attacks sometimes believe
they are having heart attacks, losing their minds, or on the verge of
death.They can’t predict when or where an attack will occur, and
between episodes many worry intensely and dread the next attack.
Panic attacks can occur at any time, even during sleep. An attack
usually peaks within 10 minutes, but some symptoms may last much
longer.