People who experience frequent panic attacks may have a panic disorder. They often come with fear, discomfort, and feeling as if they are losing control – despite there being no danger or trigger. Experiencing panic attacks does not mean you have a panic disorder; however, those who do may worry that they will have another panic attack or change their life to avoid having one.

Combination of Medication and Psychotherapy

Using both medication and psychotherapy to treat panic disorder can be a practical option, as they can result in decreased symptoms when panic attacks occur while also gaining the skills necessary to prevent panic attacks from happening in the future. 

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes can help lower someone’s chances of experiencing a panic attack. For example, caffeine and alcohol can worsen panic attack symptoms, so avoiding them lowers the risk of a panic attack occurring. Also, exercise and a healthy diet can help manage stress and lower the frequency of panic attacks. 

Panic Disorder Causes

Many causes exist for why a panic disorder may develop. For example, genetics can play a role, but panic disorder can also result from stress and environmental factors. Common environmental factors may include traumatic events and significant changes in their life. 

Panic Disorder Signs and Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of a panic disorder include:

• Feeling out of control or experiencing a feeling of impending doom
• Avoiding places where panic attacks have happened in the past
• Experiencing sudden and repeated panic attacks accompanied by overwhelming anxiety
• Fearing when the next panic attack will happen
• Experiencing physical symptoms during a panic attack, such as a racing heart, chills, and chest pain