PANIC DISORDER

 

Panic disorder and related conditions involve pathological anxiety as the primary symptom. This includes panic disorder, agoraphobia, and specific phobias. Anxiety can exist on its own or as a symptom of other conditions, such as depression, burnout, or stress.
 

For instance, during panic attacks, several symptoms can occur. An attack begins suddenly and reaches a peak within a maximum of ten minutes.
 

A panic attack may be accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:

 

• a strong and intense feeling of fear

• palpitations, a pounding heart, or a rapid heartbeat

• sweating

• trembling or shaking

• a sensation of breathlessness or choking

• gasps for air, shortness of breath

• chest pain or an uncomfortable pressure sensation in the chest

• nausea or gastrointestinal discomfort

• dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling unsteady, or fainting

• a sense of unreality, as if the things around you are not real, or feeling detached from yourself

• fear of losing control or ‘going crazy'

• fear of dying

• a numb or tingling sensation, such as in the arms, hands, or legs

• sudden hot flashes or chills

 

These symptoms can amplify each other, leading to increased anxiety. Anxiety can cause palpitations and chest pain. As a result, you may fear having a heart attack, and this fear further exacerbates the symptoms—creating a negative spiral of anxiety.

 

How does a panic disorder develop?

 

Various factors can play a role in the emergence of a panic disorder.

 

Perception

 

People who experience panic attacks often perceive signals from their environment or body as frightening more quickly. They tend to be much more aware of potential threats. For instance, a racing heart—common even in healthy individuals—might go unnoticed by some. However, someone predisposed to anxiety is likely to feel this and become afraid of having a heart condition. The body may then respond to this fear with symptoms such as palpitations, nausea, and dizziness, which can further amplify anxiety. This vicious cycle can develop into a full-blown panic attack.

Heredity

Genetic factors appear to strongly influence anxiety sensitivity. Even among children, significant differences can often be observed: one child may be very daring, while another is extremely cautious and worries easily. This sensitivity can, however, be influenced, for example, through therapy.

 

Circumstances 

 

The development of a panic disorder can also be linked to a person's life circumstances. During periods of high stress or major change, people seem to be more susceptible to experiencing anxiety symptoms.

Hyperventilation 

 

For a long time, it was believed that hyperventilation played a significant role in panic attacks. Hyperventilation, or ‘over-breathing,’ disrupts the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. This can lead to symptoms that feel very frightening, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or a sensation of fainting. People experiencing panic attacks may (sometimes unknowingly) hyperventilate and then become anxious about the resulting physical symptoms.

Nowadays, opinions are divided on whether hyperventilation truly plays a major role in panic.

Fear of Recurrence 

 

Experiencing a single panic attack does not necessarily indicate a panic disorder. A panic disorder is only diagnosed when multiple attacks have occurred. However, after the first attack, many people develop a fear of having another one.

 

For instance, if you experienced your first panic attack while waiting in line at the supermarket, you will likely feel somewhat tense the next time you go to the supermarket. Once in line, that tension may increase. The anxious thoughts that arise (‘Oh no, it’s going to happen again’) can be enough to trigger the panic response once more. You start to feel unwell, which you then interpret as confirmation of your fear (‘See, there it is again’), leading you into a panic cycle. If this happens repeatedly, you may begin to avoid the supermarket altogether.

This ‘fear of fear’ (a.k.a. anticipatory anxiety) plays a major role in maintaining or even worsening panic symptoms. Avoiding situations that trigger fear may provide short-term relief—you have successfully prevented a panic attack—but in the long term, avoidance tends to reinforce the panic disorder. Avoidance can also lead to agoraphobia, a condition in which people fear and avoid places or situations where escape might be difficult. Panic disorder often, but not always, occurs alongside agoraphobia.

Is it serious and what can you expect?

While panic attacks can be very frightening, it is important to remember that they are not dangerous. People do not die from panic attacks. You are not actually having a heart attack or a stroke, nor are you going crazy. In almost all cases, there is a completely harmless explanation for your physical symptoms. The problem is that you may overlook this explanation and instead interpret the symptoms as signs of danger.

 

A panic disorder can become quite persistent, partly due to the role of ‘fear of fear’ and avoidance. Feelings of anxiety may begin to expand to more and more situations. At first, you might feel anxious in the supermarket on a busy Saturday afternoon. But over time, you may start avoiding the supermarket altogether, along with other stores. Eventually, anxiety can arise in an increasing number of situations, significantly limiting your freedom of movement.

Like other anxiety disorders, a panic disorder usually does not go away on its own. The mechanisms that sustain anxiety tend to be very powerful. However, by learning to relax, the symptoms can gradually decrease.

The power of the combination of craniosacral therapy and trauma therapy: 

 

When people struggle with underlying fears, the physical aspect is always examined first. Fear triggers physical tension and symptoms, which is why craniosacral therapy (CST) focuses on the reptilian brain—the part of our nervous system responsible for survival. Our biological survival system can become activated even when there is no real threat, making it feel as though we are victims of our own bodies.

Through counseling, underlying patterns are identified and explored. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals learn how to think and act differently. Alternating focus between the physical and emotional aspects of healing has proven to be highly effective for these individuals.