Panic disorder

A panic disorder is a series of panic attacks which circulates intense fear or intense discomfort, which reaches its peak within minutes of the start of attack.

Panic Disorder is an episode of intense and fearful emotions and the thought of losing control over oneself to a situation which is not as disturbing as according to the state a person is in.

A person who has had a panic attack often lives in the fear of another uncertain panic attack.

At least four or more of the following symptoms should occur:-

• Palpitations, pounding heart and accelerated heart rate
• Trembling or shaking
• Sweating
• Feeling of choking
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Nausea
• Chills or heat sensations
• Fear of losing control or going crazy
• Derealisation
• Feeling dizzy, unsteady
• Numbness or tingling sensation
• Fear of dying

A 56 year old Mr S D, CEO of a reputed company had a severe panic attack just before the start of his company’s annual board meeting. His experience as recollected by him was as follows: he felt mild chest pain, sweating, followed by breathlessness after which he thought walls of his office were squeezing in and his chair vibrating severely like being hit by an earthquake.
His receptionist saw his state and immediately called an ambulance, he was taken to the hospital; where he recovered within 3 days, all of his medical reports came out to be normal. He states that, he got a feeling, when he got the panic attack that his company will go bankrupt and he will die in his office without anybody coming to know about it. Since then he has had several panic attacks without any warning. Mr S is in constant fear of having another severe panic attack. He denies any change in his sleeping cycle or appetite.