Panic syndrome is a psychological disorder in which sudden and frequent bouts of extreme fear and dread occur, causing symptoms such as cold sweat and heart palpitations.
These crises cause the individual not to lead a normal life, because he is afraid that the crisis will return and avoid situations of danger. For example, if the crisis occurred in an elevator, it is common for the patient not to want to use the elevator again at work or at home.
Main symptoms
The duration of a panic disorder depends on its severity, but usually lasts about 10 minutes, and can occur at any time, even during sleep. If you think you may be suffering, or have already suffered, a panic attack, select your symptoms:
- 1. Increased heart rate or palpitations Yes No
- 2. Feeling of shortness of breath Yes No
- 3. Feeling weak or faint Yes No
- 4. Tingling of hands Yes No
- 5. Feeling of terror or imminent danger Yes No
- 6. Feeling of heat and cold sweat Yes No
- 7. Chest pain, with tightening sensation Yes No
It is important to remember that some symptoms can take hours to disappear, and that patients with this syndrome feel a sense of loss of control over themselves during the attack, moving to live with an intense fear of having new seizures. In addition, they also often avoid going to places where they have had a panic attack in the past. To see more symptoms that characterize the crisis, see: How to Identify a Panic Attack.
What Causes Panic Attacks
Panic syndrome does not have a definite cause, but it seems to be a hereditary disease that mainly affects women and usually arises in late adolescence and early adulthood.
In addition, it is common for some people to experience a panic attack in their lives, but they will no longer have symptoms and will not develop the syndrome.
How to diagnose and treat
The panic syndrome is diagnosed by a psychiatrist based on the evaluation of the symptoms presented, and its treatment is done with the use of antidepressive drugs and that reduce anxiety, but that they should only be taken according to medical advice.
In addition, it is also necessary to do psychotherapy so that the patient learns different ways on how to think and react in dangerous situations, helping to reduce anxiety and fear, preventing a new panic attack.
It is important to remember that the cure of this disease depends on its severity and the patient's dedication to treatment, with people who can heal completely or control the symptoms of the disease more easily. Here's how to do the natural treatment of panic syndrome.
Pregnancy Panic Syndrome
Due to hormonal changes and concerns about the baby, it is common for anxiety to increase during pregnancy, which may favor the onset of panic attacks, especially in women who have previously had seizures.
When untreated, this disease can cause pregnancy complications such as:
- Increased risk of preeclampsia;
- Premature birth;
- Increased number of cesareans;
- Low birth weight of the baby;
- Decreased fetal movements.
Treatment of this syndrome during pregnancy should be based primarily on psychotherapy, as the use of medications can affect the development of the fetus. However, in some cases the use of medications is really necessary, but it should be done in low doses and only under medical guidance. In addition, it is also important for the woman to follow the treatment after the baby is born, as during this stage the chances of having a panic attack increase.
To overcome the crisis more quickly, see what to do during a panic attack.
