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Panic Room
With 23 million people in America suffering anxiety, it's time to know the facts
By Rachel M. Gering
Published: Dec 01, 2007
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In an age where we are inundated with ads on TV, for every possible symptom we never even knew we had, and medication available we never knew existed, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to answer the question of, “are we suffering?” But millions of people have suffered silently with panic and anxiety related disorders.
Over the course of several months, Rose, 25 years of age, experienced a rapid heart rate, chest pains and numbness in her hands every time she found herself in a social setting. She became so frightened of her symptoms that after one particularly difficult outing, she went straight to the emergency room fearing she was having a heart attack.
Kevin, a 45 year old doctor, specializing in sports medicine, thought he was dying when riding the subway to work one day. He felt his world was closing in on him as his vision began to get blurry, his palms sweated and he felt like he might choke. As soon as the train stopped at the next exit, Kevin practically ran out of the station.
Both Kevin and Rose were told that they were experiencing panic attacks, and were in fact not dying of anything at all. And while Kevin and Rose had suffered before from these symptoms, they never sought treatment. Twenty years ago, most people didn’t even know what to call this or how to describe what they felt. Today we have very specific diagnosis and wonderful treatments available for those who need it.
The Anxiety Disorders
Panic disorder is one of several anxiety disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), anxiety disorders are the most common of all psychiatric disorders. In the United States alone, 23 million people suffer from anxiety disorders. The anxiety disorders include agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Panic Attacks
Panic disorder is marked by recurrent, spontaneous panic attacks.
A panic attack is an intense period of fear or discomfort. During the attack, a person may experience the following symptoms:
* Noticeably quick or pounding heart rate
* Pain or other discomfort in the chest
* Sweating
* Shaking
* Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
* Dizziness
* Tingling sensations
* Fear of going crazy or losing control
* Fear of dying
* Derealization or depersonalization
* Choking sensation
* Nausea
* Cold or hot flashes
To be diagnosed as a panic attack, four or more symptoms should be present. Otherwise, the attack is described as a "limited symptom attack." Those who experience panic attacks usually describe them as occurring "out of the blue."
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Over the course of several months, Rose, 25 years of age, experienced a rapid heart rate, chest pains and numbness in her hands every time she found herself in a social setting. She became so frightened of her symptoms that after one particularly difficult outing, she went straight to the emergency room fearing she was having a heart attack.
Kevin, a 45 year old doctor, specializing in sports medicine, thought he was dying when riding the subway to work one day. He felt his world was closing in on him as his vision began to get blurry, his palms sweated and he felt like he might choke. As soon as the train stopped at the next exit, Kevin practically ran out of the station.
Both Kevin and Rose were told that they were experiencing panic attacks, and were in fact not dying of anything at all. And while Kevin and Rose had suffered before from these symptoms, they never sought treatment. Twenty years ago, most people didn’t even know what to call this or how to describe what they felt. Today we have very specific diagnosis and wonderful treatments available for those who need it.
The Anxiety Disorders
Panic disorder is one of several anxiety disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), anxiety disorders are the most common of all psychiatric disorders. In the United States alone, 23 million people suffer from anxiety disorders. The anxiety disorders include agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Panic Attacks
Panic disorder is marked by recurrent, spontaneous panic attacks.
A panic attack is an intense period of fear or discomfort. During the attack, a person may experience the following symptoms:
* Noticeably quick or pounding heart rate
* Pain or other discomfort in the chest
* Sweating
* Shaking
* Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
* Dizziness
* Tingling sensations
* Fear of going crazy or losing control
* Fear of dying
* Derealization or depersonalization
* Choking sensation
* Nausea
* Cold or hot flashes
To be diagnosed as a panic attack, four or more symptoms should be present. Otherwise, the attack is described as a "limited symptom attack." Those who experience panic attacks usually describe them as occurring "out of the blue."
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