Although the term is known, not everyone knows exactly what panic syndrome is. Unexpected bouts of despair, intense fear of something bad happening (albeit for no apparent reason) and accelerating heart rate are some signs of this syndrome, which is considered a type of anxiety disorder.
People who suffer from panic syndrome tend to be very anxious, demanding about themselves and often feel "unprotected". They are, for example, afraid of dying, afraid of having another panic attack and / or losing control. All of these can significantly affect a person's quality of life, so it is so important to seek proper treatment when the problem is diagnosed.
What does panic syndrome?
The Prof. Dr. Mario Louzã, psychiatrist, doctor of medicine from the University of Würzburg (Germany) and Affiliate Member of the Institute of Psychoanalysis of the Brazilian Society of Psychoanalysis of São Paulo, explains that the panic syndrome is characterized by panic attacks, associated or not agoraphobia (fear of being in places where a panic attack may occur).
This is because panic attacks often cause constant concern about the possibility of further attacks; in other words, forming a "vicious cycle" that makes it difficult for the person who happens to be, for example, afraid of having a heart attack, going crazy, losing control or dying.
It is worth noting that crises are not necessarily triggered solely by exposure to a particular situation, but rather unpredictably.
Read also: 12 Things Only Anxious People Understand
In addition, panic attacks usually come with some physical symptoms, such as shivering, feeling cold or hot, fast heart, feeling faint, among others.
Causes
The causes of panic syndrome are unknown, Louzã points out. We know that some factors trigger a panic attack. Is stress one of the main reasons ?, he says.
In this sense, Louzã cites examples of factors that can trigger a panic attack:
- Overload of work, responsibilities and tasks;
- Too many problems at once;
- Excessive anxiety;
- Facing situations that are very frightening (for example, a person with a phobia of flying has to catch a plane);
- Illicit drugs.
It is worth noting that these are just examples and only a doctor can diagnose the condition by assessing the particularities of each case.
Panic Syndrome Symptoms
Panic syndrome is characterized by panic attacks. Louzã explains that a panic attack usually begins abruptly with intense anxiety, a sense of impending death or a "heart attack."
Read also: 15 Simple Tips to Avoid Stress in Everyday Life
The psychiatrist points out that this intense anxiety is accompanied by physical symptoms such as:
- Heart rate acceleration;
- Shortness of breath;
- Excessive sweating;
- Vertigo;
- Dizziness;
- Nausea;
- Tremors, among others.
? Some people talk about the feeling of? Loss of control? or "get out of yourself". The attacks usually last from 10 to 15 minutes ?, explains Louzã.
How to prevent a panic attack?
Louzã comments that the first panic attack usually leads the person to an emergency room, due to the intensity of the symptoms. Once a person is diagnosed with panic disorder, knowing that those sensations are transient, can he mentally? try to control yourself, knowing that, although very unpleasant, the symptoms do not put your life at risk and subside or disappear within minutes? answers the psychiatrist.
Risk factors
Louzã points out, first, that panic syndrome is more common among women. "Although many panic attacks occur in stressful situations, sometimes the person has the first attack in a situation that is not expected to happen, for example, at bedtime or even during sleep," he says.
Read also: 20 healthy habits to include in your routine and have a better quality of life
But in general, some risk factors are:
- Very stressful situations;
- Illness or death of a close person;
- Radical changes in routine / life;
- Some traumatic experience (eg an accident or robbery).
Louzã points out that if symptoms persist, the person should seek help from a psychiatrist, who will analyze the patient's condition and assess the need to prescribe some medication and indicate a possible therapy.
Panic Syndrome Treatments
After the diagnosis of the disorder? done preferably by a psychiatrist? The patient should receive guidance on possible treatments.
Louzã points out that treatment for panic syndrome in general is based on the combination of medications (antidepressants and anxiolytics) and psychotherapy.
Medicines
The doctor explains that the most indicated antidepressants are serotonin reuptake inhibitors. • These medications usually take about two weeks to start taking effect. Its use may be for a longer period, depending on how the patient responds to the effects of medication ?, says.
Read also: Anxiety: How acceptable is it?
Already anxiolytics, are indicated only for moments of panic crisis, because they have immediate action, causing a feeling of tranquility as soon as consumed.
"Medical monitoring is essential to ensure the success of treatment and the proper use of medications," says the psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy
Usually associated with medications enters psychotherapy. "In general, cognitive behavioral therapy is used, which seeks to teach the patient to control anxiety and also panic attacks," says Louzã.
Panic attacks often get worse due to the anxiety generated by the attacks themselves, creating a vicious circle. One of the goals of cognitive behavioral therapy is to break this vicious circle ?, explains the doctor.
Often, people with panic syndrome also have personal issues related to the difficulty of coping with stress situations. "In these cases, psychodynamic psychotherapies are indicated to help the patient cope with his way of controlling stress," adds Louzã.
Agoraphobia? (fear of being in places where a person believes a panic attack may occur) can also be developed secondarily. This greatly limits the life of the patient. So, addressing the issues related to agoraphobia is fundamental so that the problem does not progressively limit your life ?, emphasizes the psychiatrist.
Generally, psychological counseling enables a good self-awareness process for the patient, as well as stimulating relaxation and breathing exercises that are important in dealing with times of crisis.
For the treatment of panic syndrome to be really effective, it is important even if the patient feels confident and has a real desire to deal with their internal issues. That is, is it available? for treatment, believe and want to improve.
You now know that panic syndrome is a serious condition that should be treated so as not to impair the patient's quality of life. In case of identification with symptoms, it is ideal to seek a psychiatrist who can diagnose the case and indicate the most appropriate treatment (probably with the combination of psychotherapy and medications).
Health Tips - Panic Attacks (April 2024)
- Prevention and Treatment
- 1,230
