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Why do people panic? And is panic always a problem?
In some cases, panicking about an urgent or intense situation helps you mount an appropriate response. Hormone changes and other physiological responses cued by panic allow you to function quickly under pressure.
But panicking can also get in the way of your ability to assess and respond to crisis situations, and it’s important to keep a level head when under pressure.
In healthy people, panic can, indeed, have legitimate benefits. But living with a panic disorder means that you’re prey to the negative impacts of frequent, intense anxiety or fear, even when there’s no direct reason for that degree of response.
People with panic disorders suffer unneeded stress due to uncontrolled symptoms.
How do you know when your feelings of anxiety or panic are normal or even healthy, and when should you start to suspect that you have a panic disorder?
At Anywhere Wellness, our team of professionals is here to support you with mental health conditions like panic disorders. We offer telehealth treatment from Washington, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah.
In this blog, we educate you on five signs of a panic disorder that you should know more about. When you’re able to correctly identify panic attacks, it’s easier to respond in the best way for your health, your peace of mind, and the situation, if any, at hand.
A sense of impending danger or doom
Your panic disorder clouds your perception on a daily basis, causing you to live with an unnecessary degree of fearfulness. A panic attack may come with a sharp increase in your sense of impending doom. Fear and anxiety can also hang over your life like a dark cloud.
A rapid heart rate or breathing changes
When you experience fear, your heart rate increases, speeding up to give your body the resources it needs to handle a crisis situation. The feeling of your heart rate speeding up can also feed back into your sense of anxiety in the case of a panic attack.
In addition, you may experience constriction in your throat or shortness of breath during a panic attack. Associated symptoms include faintness or lightheadedness. You may even feel chest pain, and fear that you’re having a heart attack, when really panic explains all of your symptoms.
Temperature dysregulation
Often, during a panic attack, your sense of temperature goes a little haywire. You could feel inexplicably hot and flushed when panic is pending, or, conversely, feel colder than usual and find yourself shaking and shivering with the chills. This can contribute to your sense of overall distress.
Digestive upset
Your digestion is sensitive to stress. People living with a panic disorder often complain of issues with bowel movements, abdominal cramping, and nausea. These symptoms may be a sign of a mental health issue that needs better management.
Recurring panic attacks
While many people experience a few intense panic attacks over the course of a lifetime, chronic or frequently recurring panic attacks signal a possible panic disorder.
With diagnosis and the right care, this condition is very treatable. You don’t have to learn to live with the constant threat of a panic disorder.
If you’ve experienced multiple panic attacks, talk to one of our skilled providers at Anywhere Wellness about your symptoms and possible treatment paths. You’re not alone.
To schedule a telehealth consultation with one of our mental health experts at Anywhere Wellness, call or text us at 888-281-HEAL (4325), or request an appointment online today.