Introduction
Panic anxiety disorder is a mental disease that is portrayed by unprecedented episodes of intense fear. The condition interferes with the well-being of patients by triggering severe physical reactions where actual danger is absent. Victims of panic anxiety disorder persevere through persistent and excessive worry about life. Aggravated fear and episodes of worrying affect an individual’s routine and activities because of the difficulty associated with controlling their manifestations. People with the condition have recurrent attacks when exposed to stressful situations. Thus, patients diagnosed with the illness are encouraged to manage their condition by avoiding experiences and places that trigger feelings of anxiety.
Symptoms
Several signs and symptoms are associated with panic anxiety disorder. The primary symptom of panic anxiety disorder is panic attacks which begin suddenly without any warning (Andrews et al., 2018). Panic attacks are critical because they can strike at any time, occasionally, and can be frequent. There are different variations of panic attacks with symptoms that peak within minutes (Martin, 2022). The most common signs and symptoms of the disorder include shortness of breath, rapid and pounding heart rate, feelings of impending danger, fear of losing control, and the urge to avoid situations that can trigger panic and anxiety (Andrews et al., 2018). Patients who experience panic attacks feel worn out and fatigued after it subsides (Martin, 2022). Moreover, they live in constant fear since they never know when they will experience another life-threatening panic attack because the experience is always life-threatening.
Causes
The exact cause of panic anxiety disorder has not yet been established by the medical field. However, the condition is closely associated with human genetics, major stress events, and changes in brain functionality. Panic anxiety disorder is associated with various medical problems including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome (Martin, 2022). Consequently, individuals who quit drugs and substance abuse can also develop the syndrome as part of the withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, a panic anxiety disorder can also present as a side effect of specific medical infections. Individuals can develop panic anxiety disorder due to underlying medical issues if they did not have the condition as a child and lack any blood relatives with a similar concern (Martin, 2022). Therefore, people should acknowledge the risk factors associated with the condition to determine the actual cause.
Risk Factors
Several risk factors are associated with the development of panic anxiety disorder including childhood trauma. Children who witness traumatic events have increased risks of developing a panic anxiety disorder when they recall the traumatic events (Andrews et al., 2018). Excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse also increase the risk of developing panic anxiety disorder when these individuals misuse or withdraw from the drugs. Having blood relatives with a panic anxiety disorder also exposes an individual to the condition due to genetic predisposition (Martin, 2022). Stress built up in the life of an individual also exposes individuals to the condition of panic anxiety disorder. Some of the situations that can trigger the condition include the death of loved ones, work-related stress, and family problems. Therefore, individuals are encouraged to avoid exposing themselves to the risk factors associated with panic anxiety disorder.
Complications
Panic anxiety disorder is a severe condition that can cause adverse complications to the life of an individual. The condition affects various aspects of an individual’s life including family, work, and social life. Panic anxiety disorder makes people live in a constant state of fear which prevents them from achieving a quality lifestyle (Kynaston & Trafford, 2019). The development of phobias is a complication associated with panic anxiety disorder. Phobia is an unusual fear of objects and places that do not harm individuals in the actual sense. These fears push people toward avoiding social situations which affect the growth and development of an individual (Andrews et al., 2018). If left untreated, panic anxiety disorder also results in depression and other mental disorders which are chronic conditions.
Prevention and Management
Therefore, individuals should acknowledge the strategies for managing panic anxiety disorder because there is no sure way of preventing the condition. Getting treatment for panic attacks is the most recommended approach to managing its diversities. Patients diagnosed with panic anxiety disorder should also prevent exposure to events that trigger their associated reactions. Adhering to the treatment plan can also help patients to manage its effects (Kynaston & Trafford, 2019). Health practitioners recommend engaging in regular physical activity and sustaining close relationships to divert the mind from feelings of worry and fear.
Conclusion
Managing depression and other mental disorders requires frequent medical care which reduces an individual’s quality of life. Frequent panic attacks expose individuals to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, discomfort, and increased stress because of the difficulty of controlling the infection. Therefore, it is advisable to administer recommended panic disorder medication to prevent victims from feeling fear and anxiety. Panic anxiety disorder is harmful to the overall health of individuals. Hence it is crucial to inform more people about its existence, mechanisms, and management.
References
Andrews, G., Bell, C., Boyce, P., Gale, C., Lampe, L., Marwat, O.,… & Wilkins, G. (2018). Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalised anxiety disorder. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 52(12), 1109-1172. DOI:10.1177/0004867418799453
Kynaston, H., & Trafford, X. (2019). Anxiety and Panic Attacks, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Bipolar Disorder 3 in 1: A Guide to Overcoming Severe Anxiety, Controlling Bipolar Disorder and Panic Attacks. Independently published.
Martin, P. (2022). The epidemiology of anxiety disorders: A review. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience. DOI:10.31887/DCNS.2003.5.3/pmartin