Stating that a panic attack is a condition that occurs suddenly and manifests itself with an intense feeling of fear or discomfort, Psychiatry Specialist Dr. Aysu Yakın Olgun said, “This is a serious health problem experienced by many people and manifests itself with physical and psychological symptoms. During a panic attack, the person experiences discomfort such as a feeling of tightness in the chest, palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath or a feeling of suffocation. As panic attacks recur, these behaviors become entrenched and the person may develop panic disorder.”
Psychiatry Specialist Dr. Aysu Yakın Olgun from VM Medical Park Samsun Hospital gave information about panic attacks on 'World Mental Health Day'. Stating that panic attack is a condition that occurs suddenly and manifests itself with an intense feeling of fear or discomfort, Specialist. Dr. Olgun said, “This is a serious health problem experienced by many people and manifests itself with physical and psychological symptoms. During a panic attack, the person experiences discomfort such as a feeling of tightness in the chest, palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath or a feeling of suffocation. In addition, they may feel that their breathing is inadequate, dizziness, lightheadedness or a feeling of fainting may occur.”
“Physical complaints such as abdominal pain may also be observed”
Uzm. Dr. Olgun said that during a panic attack, numbness or tingling may be felt in the hands or different parts of the body. Noting that there may be chills, shivering or flushing, Specialist Dr. Olgun said, “Sometimes nausea or abdominal pain may occur. Dr. Olgun said, “Sometimes physical complaints such as nausea or abdominal pain may also be observed. Trembling or body shaking may also accompany these symptoms. In addition to these physical symptoms, the person may perceive themselves or their surroundings in a changed, strange and unrealistic way. This can lead to a fear of losing their mind or losing control. A person who has a panic attack often experiences a fear of death and these feelings can greatly affect the person's quality of life, relationships and work performance.”
“A permanent panic disorder may develop”
Stating that panic attacks can put the person in a constant cycle of anxiety due to the fear that they will recur frequently, Uzm. Dr. Olgun said, “This may cause the person to avoid social life, seek a safe space and restrict their life. As panic attacks recur, these behaviors become ingrained and the person may develop a permanent panic disorder. Without help, these behaviors increase and the person becomes unable to resist these symptoms. As a result, the person's life becomes increasingly restricted and daily functionality decreases.”
“It is a treatable condition”
Stating that panic disorder can be treated with medication and psychotherapy by mental health specialists, Uzm. Dr. Olgun said the following:
“While medications alleviate symptoms by regulating chemical imbalances in the brain, psychotherapy methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy help the person to recognize their thoughts and manage their behavior in a healthy way. Treating panic disorder is crucial to normalizing one's life and controlling anxiety. If left untreated, panic disorder can seriously affect a person's quality of life, but with the right treatment, this problem can be controlled. Panic disorder and other anxiety disorders can be effectively treated with professional help. If you are experiencing these symptoms, contact a specialist to improve your quality of life with early diagnosis and intervention.”
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