It’s easy for someone to tell us “Don’t panic!”, but choosing not to panic may not be so easy. A little fear, anxiety or increased alarm is a warranted response to genuine danger or stressful situations. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 2.7% of adults in the United States have had Panic Disorder in the past year (Panic Disorder 2017).
Panic Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that causes recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. These episodes of fear are often accompanied by unpleasant physical symptoms:
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Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or feeling like one is being choked
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Feeling a loss of control of oneself or that things are outside of one’s control
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Trembling or shaking
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Feeling of impending doom, hopelessness or that something bad is going to happen.
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Accelerated heart rate
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Feelings of de-realization: Feeling detached from one’s surroundings. People and surroundings feel unfamiliar or distorted.
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Feelings of depersonalization: It may seem as though one is seeing things from the outside of one’s body, looking in or like one is in a dream.
A close look at this list of symptoms should help those of us who have never had a panic attack to be a bit more sensitive to those who suffer from them. It is common for the first episode to bring someone to the hospital, thinking that they are having a heart attack.
The panic attack can be brought on by a trigger or can happen with or without any real threat of danger. But the exact cause of Panic Disorders is unknown. Panic Disorder is thought to have a genetic link, but environment can also play a crucial role. Women have a higher prevalence of the disorder than males. Major life changes and transitions are also thought to influence the development of anxiety disorders, such as going off to college, getting married, having children, and getting divorced.
People with Panic Disorder can lead relatively normal lives, when getting treatment for this disorder. Some common forms of treatment include:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) includes identifying thoughts that influence emotions and behaviors and then learning to replace these thoughts. This can include replacing them with the truth of God’s Word.
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Regular exercise as part of your daily routine can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.
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Getting sufficient sleep can also help to reduce symptoms of Panic Disorder.
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Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine found in coffee, sodas and energy drinks, which can increase feelings of nervousness and anxiety.
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Finding ways to reduce stressors, which may include having a therapist or coach to guide through lifestyle changes to reduce anxiety in general.
Jesus knew that fear was a major issue for people and used the statement, “do not be afraid”repeatedly in the gospels. He was not judging people for being afraid, but inviting them to come to Him for solutions to their fear. It may be a process, but we can still respond to His invitation today.
Article by Gabriella Zelaya, Counseling Student Intern
References:
Panic Disorder. (2017, November). Retrieved March 10, 2021, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/panic-disorder.shtml
Panic disorder: Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (n.d.). Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/panic-disorder
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