Everyone feels anxious once in a while. Sometimes, certain events may trigger feelings of fear in a person. Anxiety is a normal response to a real or perceived threat.

But when anxiety occurs on a routine basis, it could be a sign of another problem. These feelings range from mild to intense and can impact the quality of your life. Persistent fear and anxiety that comes out of the blue is called panic disorder.

Panic disorder is a condition that’s characterized by intense feelings of anxiety. These feelings are accompanied by certain physical sensations. You may experience chest pains, shortness of breath, and an increased heart rate. Other symptoms include nausea, dizziness, and intestinal issues. In some cases, a person may experience a loss of appetite or an increase in eating due to anxiety.

Symptoms and Triggers

Symptoms of anxiety disorder are very disturbing and stressful. Most symptoms mimic a heart attack. Chest pains, shortness of breath, and an increase in heart palpitations can trick you into thinking that something is wrong with your heart. Other possible symptoms of panic disorder include:

• Shaking
• Shivering
• Tingling in the fingers and toes
• A persistent ringing in your ears

A key feature of panic disorder is that there are no triggers that cause the attacks. Most panic attacks can occur anytime and without warning. An attack occurs like this: A person is feeling fine one minute. Suddenly, they are gripped with a sudden and intense fear that has no explanation. It comes out of nowhere and reaches a climax. The person who is having the episode may be feeling a complete loss of control, and that only intensifies the fear they’re feeling.

It’s important for individuals and doctors to know the difference between real panic disorder and panic attacks. Panic attacks can occur as a feature of another disorder, such as depression or social anxiety disorder. People who are easily rattled in high-intensity social situations may experience a panic attack as a result of social anxiety. Class presentations, public speaking, and crowded areas may trigger an attack in the individual.

People with panic disorder experience sudden and unexplained attacks without warning. These attacks are accompanied by rapid heartbeats and shortness of breath. Most people who have them start to believe they are having a heart attack, which causes even more anxiety.

Panic disorder that goes untreated can lead to other problems down the road. The impact of several attacks leads to other conditions like depression and substance abuse. People with panic disorder may try and self-medicate through drugs and alcohol as a way to gain temporary relief from symptoms.

Impact on Daily Life

Panic disorder is a complex illness in many ways. Panic disorder symptoms occur suddenly and without warning. Some symptoms of the disorder are so overwhelming that they can impact an individual’s activities of daily living. Some people may call in sick more frequently when these features occur. In other scenarios, a client may avoid activities like driving or going to the store.

Panic disorder, when untreated, can affect a client’s personal relationships. Individuals may avoid family gatherings, even around the holidays. Or, they may avoid contact with friends and acquaintances. This may lead friendships to fall apart as most people may not understand what a person is going through. This is where intervention is necessary because it can stop the severity of symptoms and help a person regain their life. Managing panic attacks begins with a proper diagnosis.

Challenges in Diagnosis

There are several roadblocks to getting an official diagnosis of panic disorder. It starts with awareness. The person must be aware that the problem is impacting their life in a lot of ways. Lack of awareness is a major obstacle for most when it comes to starting a treatment plan.

One of the major challenges to getting a diagnosis is lack of testing. There are no medical exams that can tell a doctor whether or not someone has panic disorder. However, a physician may decide to do a complete physical to rule out other conditions like heart disease.

Some of the barriers to getting personalized care for many psychiatric disorders are individual concerns over the cost of diagnosis and treatment. Doctors may need to run a variety of expensive medical tests to rule out other causes. Clients facing financial difficulties may refuse treatment due to the high costs incurred during the process. Other concerns include finding the right place to get treatment. People may feel limited due to inadequate health insurance coverage.

Another impediment to getting a diagnosis is stigma. Some people may fear the loss of a job, friends, or family due to stigma. Those needing help may perceive themselves as weak because of their anxiety. People with anxiety disorder may choose to isolate and self-medicate using drugs and alcohol.

In other cases, having convenient access to quality treatment is another potential barrier. Clients who live in remote areas face unique challenges if they don’t have reliable transportation. This makes it harder for them to travel to a doctor to receive a diagnosis. In some cases, remote therapy might work. But going to a treatment center is best for the client. They can gain a sense of routine while receiving the right therapy and support.

Other barriers to treatment and diagnosis are due to a person’s other issues. People may feel incapacitated due to intense agoraphobia, or the fear of leaving home. Others may have work or family commitments that leave very little time for treatment.

People seeking treatment may withhold personal information about symptoms and daily habits. In other cases, a doctor or a nurse may not know much about someone’s medical history. This includes other illnesses, other medications taken by that person, and any allergies to drugs. Health screenings and physicals can give professionals a glimpse into the problem and help them devise an appropriate treatment plan. Each individual is unique, and it takes a dedicated team to work with them effectively.

Granite Recovery Centers’ Approach

Panic attacks are real, but they aren’t fatal. There are a variety of treatment options available that can reduce the onset of symptoms. At Granite Recovery, we recommend an awareness of your symptoms. Successful recovery begins with information about your symptoms. The internet is full of information about intense fear and anxiety, phobias, and flight-or-fight responses. We firmly believe that information will help you understand the distinction between facts and emotions. You’ll understand that your fears aren’t real, but only a symptom of your condition.

Granite Recovery Centers’ approach to treatment involves a combination of medication and therapy. We believe both treatments can work together effectively to help clients in their recovery.

Integrated Treatment Strategies

We use cognitive behavioral therapy techniques that help you retrain your brain to cope. For example, a therapist may ask you questions regarding stressful events that trigger symptoms. He or she might ask you about what would happen if you had a panic attack in a crowded store. You would go to a private space such as a restroom or your car and stay there until you’re calm. The idea is to brainstorm possible solutions to the problem.

The basic principle behind cognitive behavioral therapy is that our problems are rooted in our thoughts and beliefs. Ineffective ways of coping stem from repeating old behaviors and habits. Specialized treatment for panic disorder can give you the tools you need to handle these situations. It starts with an awareness of these symptoms and the thinking behind them. Once you recognize your symptoms, you can challenge old ways of thinking and adopt new coping strategies.

At Granite Recovery, we offer personalized care for panic attacks. Our therapists use a combination of talk therapy and role-playing to guide you to a solution. The idea behind cognitive behavioral therapy is to teach you new skills for coping with panic disorder. You’ll gain confidence in your own independence as you navigate your way toward a solution to a problem.

A therapist may use role-playing to simulate real-life situations that make you feel anxious. You may reenact old situations where you’ve dealt with a difficult co-worker or boss. You’ll learn through practice how to apply new skills in real world situations.

The main idea is to teach clients independence and symptom management. You learn how to be your own therapist by applying a variety of self-soothing techniques designed to keep you calm. You learn how to reason with yourself in order to cope with everyday stress. This gives you the opportunity to apply what you know and to practice the concepts.

Another therapeutic approach is exposure therapy. A therapist will take you to a safe room and expose you to the things that cause your anxiety. Through guided talk, they will offer you the chance to confront those emotions so that your fears will lessen. During the session, you will be required to practice breathing techniques that help you relax during the session.

The more you expose yourself to unpleasant situations, the better you can handle them. Your confidence in your ability to tackle your symptoms increases as you continue your recovery journey.

Supportive Environment

Our team believes that the root causes of panic disorder lie in your thoughts. We help you identify, analyze, and reframe old thoughts and patterns so that they don’t hinder your life. We combine our therapies with a 12-step approach to treatment. Members can help other members by sharing stories, listening, and offering advice. We provide a sense of support by providing routine and structure for all clients at our center.

Independence and confidence are the cornerstones of recovery. You can keep your anxiety under control by facing your fears.

There’s one thing you’ll never have to hear at Granite Recovery, and that’s people telling you to snap out of your anxiety. You are surrounded by a team of supportive people who are well-trained to teach you how to cope with your anxiety. We’ll help you face the problem and conquer it.