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Panic Disorders Q & A
What are panic attacks?
Panic attacks are overwhelming and sudden feelings of fear and doom that cause physical symptoms like chest pain, shaking, or sweating. Panic attacks are unpleasant, uncontrollable, and may last several minutes.
Anyone can have a panic attack, and they can occur without any obvious cause. However, people with phobias may experience panic attacks when facing their biggest fear.
When do panic attacks turn into panic disorder?
Panic attacks turn into panic disorder when the attacks occur frequently and unexpectedly and have no identifiable cause. Not everyone who experiences panic attacks develops panic disorder.
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder and a serious mental health condition that affects how you live your life. Many people with panic disorder avoid people or situations they fear may trigger a panic attack.
Why do I have panic disorder?
Researchers are still investigating what causes panic disorder but theorize it may occur because of abnormalities in the part of the brain that processes fear. They also believe an imbalance in brain chemicals may trigger the attacks.
Panic disorder tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic link. Having a history of a mental health condition like depression may also increase your risk of panic disorder. Traumatic experiences during childhood are also linked to panic attacks and panic disorder.
Wendy conducts a thorough psychiatric evaluation when you come in with concerns about anxiety and panic attacks to confirm or rule out panic disorder.
What treatments can help my panic disorder?
Wendy is a panic disorder specialist and customizes your treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms and mental health history. She creates a plan that meets you where you are in your mental health journey, navigating you on your path to peace.
Your panic disorder treatment plan may include a combination of holistic healing therapy and medication management. Through therapy, Wendy helps you identify and change the unhealthy thoughts and behaviors that trigger your emotional reaction.
She uses psychiatric medications to ease symptoms while undergoing therapy. Wendy works with you until you reach a place where you can manage your anxiety on your own.
Call the office of Wendy Ann Reiss, MSN, PMHNP-BC, today or schedule your panic disorder consultation online.