Anxiety & Panic Disorders
What is it?
Having feelings of anxiety & panic is part of the natural spectrum of human emotions as a reaction to stressful events and dangerous situations. Nevertheless, when the feelings are persistent or out of proportion to the perceived threat, it becomes problematic, consequently leading to avoidance behaviours, resulting in significant distress and poor functioning in daily activities.
Furthermore, Generalised Anxiety and Panic Disorders are common, with up to 20% of the general population experiencing an episode in their lifetime. In addition, many underlying medical conditions (with cardiac, thyroid, and gastrointestinal issues being the most common) are associated with anxiety and panic. As a result, due to chronic anxiety, many people also experience depressive symptoms, which adds more burden to already difficult situation. Fortunately, effective treatments are available, often a combination of medications with behavioural and psychological interventions, yielding very favourable outcomes.
Symptoms of A Panic Attack
Recurrent unexpected panic attacks that typically last up to 30 minutes; however, in some patients, they may last longer.
A Panic Attack, by definition, is a sudden increase in severe fear or discomfort. Consequently, this discomfort generally reaches its worst peak within a few minutes and subsides within the hour. At its peak, it can be, without a doubt, a very frightening experience. During this time, you may experience four (or more) of the following symptoms:
- Pounding heart, palpitations, or accelerated heart rate.
- Sweating.
- Trembling or shaking.
- Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering.
- Feelings of choking.
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Nausea or abdominal distress.
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint.
- Chills or heat sensations.
- Numbness or tingling sensations.
- Feelings of unreality or being detached from oneself.
- Fear of losing control or "going crazy."
- Fear of dying.
Following at least one of these panic attacks, you must experience either :
- Continued concern about future panic attacks or the consequences
- Significant change in behaviour associated with the attack (e.g., avoiding taking the stairs)
Signs of Generalised Anxiety Disorder
On the other hand, Generalised Anxiety Disorder is characterised by having chronic feelings of worry, apprehension, and some physical symptoms that persist for more than six months. Specifically, a person may feel anxious in relation to a wide range of things, or sometimes for non-specific reasons, often leaving them in an uncomfortable state. While occasionally there is a clear trigger that sets off an episode, for the most part, the anxious feeling may come out of the blue. As a result, patients often experience some of the following symptoms:
- Restlessness, feeling wound-up or on edge.
- Being easily fatigued.
- Difficulty concentrating or having your mind go blank.
- Irritability.
- Muscle tension.
- Difficulty controlling worries.
- Sleep problems.
