What are Panic Disorders ?
Panic attacks are overestimation of fear and danger and over activation of Hippocampus which is responsible for regulation of cognition, mood and defensive responses and Amygdala which plays role in processing fear and anxiety. During panic attacks, the Amygdala induces the "fight or flight" response, although its more about running away than fighting when we talk about panic attacks, its just like when you see a lion in the forest.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms include dizziness, choking, nausea, shallow or short breathing, sweating, feeling of unreality, feeling that you're going crazy or about to die.
Our brain during Panic attacks
The autonomic nervous system which controls the involuntary functions in our body and takes signals from the central nervous system. The autonomic nervous system has two main nerves: Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous system. Their functions are opposite in nature. Sympathetic nervous system is responsible for quick reactions (positive such as excitement and negative such as anxiety) thereby increasing heartbeat, sweating, etc. (in case of fight or flight). Parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, plays role in digestion of food,
secretion of hormone, reducing the heart rate,etc. So, when Sympathetic nervous system increases your heart rate in extreme conditions, Parasympathetic nervous system helps to calm you down. But, the scientists are puzzled as to why this does not happen in panic attacks (i.e., Parasympathetic nervous system plays no role). One theory also states that when super tired or overworked, the brain produces Sodium Lactate (the brain tells you that you're suffocating and you need more oxygen and then you end up breathing faster. This is the reason why Panic Attacks are sometimes deadly for Asthama patients).
Panic Attacks and Panic Disorders - the difference
When someone has Panic Attacks in a repeated pattern, i.e, four times in a month or one time in a week, that person develops the fear of Panic Attacks which is called a Panic Disorder. For example, let's say you had a Panic Attack during a meeting, you may now start developing fear of meetings (since you had a Panic Attack in a meeting) and may also avoid attending meetings or any event of that sort. This behavior is similar to the anxiety disorder called Agoraphobia in which a person is afraid to leave the house and at the same time afraid being alone in the house. Agoraphobia is believed to be the result of Panic Disorder (i.e, fearing the place where you had Panic Attack),
Treatments
The people having Panic Disorders have fewer serotonin receptors and Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) receptors responsible for regulation of mood, appetite and sleep. Hence, the treatments usually include increasing these type of receptors.
There are three types of treatments available till date:
1. Anti Depressants
There are various types of Anti Depressants available. Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of Anti Depressants that works to balance Serotonin. They prevent your brain cells from absorbing Serotonin. SSRIs are preferred more due to its effectiveness and fewer number of side effects than other Anti Depressants
2. Anti Anxiety Treatments
Anti anxiety drugs and Tranquilizers are used in this case.
3. Therapy
Therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy (ET), etc. are used.
Conclusion
Controlling Panic attacks is not difficult if you know you have the problem. Consult a doctor. Small steps like cutting of use of Caffeine, Nicotine, etc., telling your problem to your loved ones and people who understand you, taking breathing exercises regularly, Meditating,etc. will help you in a long run. Lastly, acknowledge the fact that there are other people like you who need help and you're not alone!!
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