“I thought I was going crazy, I thought I was dying and had no one I could talk to that understood. It got so bad that at one point I started a new job and had difficulty driving to work. I couldn’t get there without having a panic attack.”
As the person above shared their story with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), panic disorder can disrupt everyday life. What comes with panic disorder, however, is feeling nervous about having panic attacks in public places – and with little attention focused on how debilitating this disorder can be, it’s often overlooked.
A 2016 review published by researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine highlighted a major symptom of panic disorder – hyperventilation – and how breathlessness, chest pain, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, wheeziness and more becomes overlooked as individuals experiencing these symptoms tend to believe that they’re the only ones going through this. In addition to this, the signs of panic disorder can be shown in many other disorders; Very Well Mind, a website that publishes information on disorders, self-improvement and psychology, reminds us of some overlooked facts of panic disorder:
- Panic attacks can happen at night
- Panic attacks can occur alongside certain phobias, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder and others
- Panic attacks can occur expectedly or unexpectedly
- And more
For those who don’t seek treatment, substance abuse can become a concern as someone may attempt to drink or use other drugs to lessen the severity of their symptoms. When this occurs, panic disorder symptoms may actually increase or become more severe when substances aren’t being used; recovery is possible however, but the earlier a person seeks treatment, the less discomfort they may experience in healing and restoration.
If you’ve been struggling with an anxiety disorder and have been abusing substances to manage your symptoms, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. You’re not alone – and help is available.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, call us today at 888-958-7511 for a consultation. It’s never too late, and there are people here ready to help you.
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