{"id":130,"date":"2020-08-15T12:25:42","date_gmt":"2020-08-15T17:25:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dontpanicdothis.com\/?page_id=130"},"modified":"2023-02-18T01:25:53","modified_gmt":"2023-02-18T06:25:53","slug":"what-is-panic-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dontpanicdothis.com\/what-is-panic-disorder\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Panic Disorder? The Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your first panic attack can be a traumatic experience in and of itself.  Shortly after your first panic attack, it\u2019s not uncommon to experience additional panic attacks. Before you know it, you\u2019re having panic attacks on a regular basis as panic disorder sets in. So, what is panic disorder?<\/p>\n

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that can set in following a panic attack. People with panic disorder develop a fear of panic attacks, causing them to overthink or worry to the point of bringing on additional panic attacks. During a panic attack, one feels intense anxiety and fear, often believing they are losing control or dying.  <\/strong><\/p>\n

But this definition of panic disorder is just the tip of the iceberg.<\/p>\n

If you suspect you may be suffering from panic disorder, continue reading through the rest of this article. By the end, you\u2019ll have a much greater grasp on what panic disorder is and how to deal with it.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get right into it!<\/p>\n

What is Panic Disorder?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Alright, so by now you should have a general understanding of what panic disorder is; but let\u2019s go a bit deeper with this.<\/p>\n

Unique from other anxiety disorders, panic disorder can best be described as the phobia or <\/em>fear<\/em> of fear itself<\/em>. Someone suffering from panic disorder literally becomes so afraid of having a panic attack, they actually give themselves a panic attack.<\/strong> Painfully ironic, I know.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to keep in mind that having a panic attack or two throughout your life is not necessarily indicative of panic disorder<\/em>. It\u2019s completely possible for a person to have just one panic attack in their life and never experience it again. A person only develops panic disorder if and when they form a phobic relationship with panic attacks, causing recurrent panic attacks long-term.<\/p>\n

Panic disorder and panic attacks can be highly disruptive and restrictive to the person enduring them.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, both conditions are very manageable.<\/p>\n

I promise<\/em> I will spend most<\/em> of this article discussing my own personal solutions to panic disorder, but FIRST, I think it\u2019s important to spend just a few moments talking about what panic attacks actually are.<\/p>\n

What is a Panic Attack?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

During a panic attack, the brain heightens the senses and puts our body into \u201cfight or flight\u201d mode<\/strong><\/a>. For our ancient ancestors, this state of mind might have helped hem to survive an enemy or predator.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, sometimes our brains can be a little over-eager to enter this mode in the 21st century when it is often much less useful.<\/p>\n

It can be a terrifying occurrence, but panic attacks are not dangerous for otherwise healthy individuals.<\/p>\n

Panic attacks can occur for seemingly no reason at all. They may also be triggered to occur as a result of stress or specific stimuli, as is the case with phobias<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>or other anxiety disorders<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

When panic attacks start to occur frequently or become a routine or pattern in one’s life, they may have developed panic disorder.<\/p>\n

Not sure whether or not what you\u2019ve been feeling are panic attacks?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s figure it out together.<\/p>\n

What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Panic Disorder Symptoms<\/strong><\/h3>\n