It is normal for us to panic in the face of danger, like during an earthquake. Other similarly frightening situations like fire and tornadoes can put us in overwhelming feelings of anxiety. But there are people who experience panic attacks for no obvious reason. They are not exactly crazy or delusional. They may just be suffering from panic disorder.

People with panic disorder go through recurring episodes of fear that may last for several minutes, and even longer. The panic attack may be too intense that some of those who have experienced it liken the feeling to a heart attack. What’s worse is that the panic attack may occur at any time, so the condition could interfere with a person’s day-to-day living.

Symptoms

Those who have panic disorder experience sudden and recurring attacks of fear. They feel that they are out of control when these attacks happen. Afterwards, they worry a lot about the next panic attack. The trauma could even prompt them to avoid places where they experienced panic attacks. In terms of physical symptoms, you could tell that a person has had a panic attack when he or she sweats too much, has a racing heartbeat, and experiences difficulty in breathing. The sufferer may also feel weak and dizzy. He or she could also experience pain in the chest and stomach as well as numbness in the hands.

An estimated six million Americans have panic disorder. Women are twice as likely to get afflicted with this condition as men. The panic attacks start during late adolescence.  Panic attacks can happen anytime, anywhere — at home, in the office, and even in the streets.

Causes

But what causes panic disorder? Why do some people experience panic attacks for no reason at all?  There is no clear explanation as to why this happens.  One theory is that genetics has a role in it, meaning if your parents or grandparents have this condition then there’s a great chance you will also have this disorder. But again, there are people with panic disorder who have no family history of the condition. There are also theories that nutritional deficiencies like the lack of zinc and magnesium in the body can contribute to this affliction. However, no studies have provided concrete evidence to this claim.

Treatment

Panic disorder can be cured with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. For medication, the most commonly prescribed drugs for panic disorder are anti-anxiety pills and antidepressants. One of the more frequently prescribed drugs for panic disorder is Xanax. It works against panic attacks by promoting a calming feeling.

This is done by enhancing the gamma-aminobutyric acid effects in the brain, slowing down the transmission of nerve signals in that part of the body. It also reduces anxiety and causes sleepiness. Meanwhile, psychotherapy means a person with panic disorder will see a psychological professional. During a psychotherapy session, the patient will be taught various ways of behaving and reacting to different stimuli that should make him or her less fearful and panicky.