Alzheimers Signs and Symptoms

Information on What to Do After Panic Attacks

Fear and anxiety are what cause panic attacks. It goes without saying that if you have a panic disorder you will experience bouts of panic. For most people, their panic attacks happen when they are surrounded by people. A person’s self-esteem can be damaged by the effects of a panic attack. No one, regardless of their age, is immune from the likelihood of having a panic attack. It’s because fear is something we all have in common regardless of how old we are. However, individuals whose immediate family members (father, mother, siblings) have a panic disorder are 8 times more likely to develop the disorder than individuals who have no family history of the disorder. That risk goes up if the disorder develops in a family member before he or she reaches 20 years. In addition, studies have found that identical twins are genetically connected so they are also at risk of developing the condition. If you or someone you care about suffers from panic, it will be really helpful to know what one might expect after an attack.

After a panic attack, you may still feel intense anxiety, which could last for a few more hours. As a sort of ripple on effect, the fear of having another panic attack can result in another attack being triggered. If you have been living with an anxiety disorder for many years, you have had those times of intense worry and fear that cause you to change the way you behave. Panic attacks do have serious after effects. For instance, panic attack sufferers may develop agoraphobia, have longer or complicated recovery times, or their ability to function normally every day may become limited.

It is crucial you seek out professional medical assistance after an attack. What you have to bear in mind though is that the symptoms of panic, much like other disorders, bear similar resemblance to one another and as such are difficult to diagnose accurately. Before they diagnose a patient as having a panic disorder after a panic attack, doctors try to rule out other illnesses. A thorough examination should be performed by a qualified medical practitioner before a panic disorder can be diagnosed.

Often doctors who do a physical examination on patients after panic attacks and do not find any symptoms of a panic disorder refer their patients to a qualified mental health specialist for more tests. A mental health doctor usually bases his diagnosis following the criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association.

There are a number of treatment options given to patients after panic attacks. Research shows that one way of treating panic is the administering of prescription medication used in addition to cognitive behavioral therapy. For instance, psychodynamic panic focused psychotherapy is one treatment that helps patients to become aware of their fantasies, as well as unconscious conflicts. Once they are aware of these fantasies and conflicts, they can create a defense mechanism to help them minimize the symptoms.