Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia: Is There a Connection?

Everyone experiences fear from time to time. It is a natural response to a perceived threat or if you feel you are in danger. However, if you feel intense and persistent fear often and without actual danger it can begin to affect how you live your life. According to WebMD, panic disorder “is a serious condition that strikes without reason or warning… During a panic attack, the fear response is out of proportion for the situation, which often is not threatening.” Panic attacks make you more susceptible to other anxiety disorders, depression, and even substance abuse. Panic disorder can impact your quality of life.

The good news is that panic disorder is treatable with proper interventions. Therapy and psychiatric medication management can be powerful ways to treat and overcome this disorder.

Learning More About Panic

If you have panic disorder, you know that it feels like it is taking over your life. It can be debilitating, even when panic attacks are sporadic, and more so when they happen with frequency. Intense waves of panic can come without warning, even when you’re asleep or calm. If the symptoms are recurring, it can leave you with extreme worry and paranoia.

These symptoms are actually the body’s reactions to fear called the “fight-or-flight response.” They are meant to put your body in a state of alertness to better respond to danger. However, when panic is repeatedly triggered it can affect your health in a negative way.

The Anxiety Network likens these symptoms to a heart attack. Symptoms may also include:

  • Racing or pounding heartbeat
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Dizziness and lightheadedness
  • Feeling that “I can’t catch my breath”
  • Chest pains or a “heaviness” in the chest
  • Feeling flush or chills
  • Tingling in the hands, feet, legs, arms
  • Jumpiness, trembling, twitching muscles
  • Sweaty palms, flushed face
  • Terror
  • Fear of losing control
  • Fear of a stroke that will lead to disability
  • Fear of dying
  • Fear of going crazy

The Connection Between Agoraphobia and Panic

Agoraphobia is a type of panic disorder. This disorder causes individuals to fear and avoid places that may result in panic which can often lead to those with the disorder refusing to leave their home or having extreme difficulty doing so. Panic disorder can lead to agoraphobia when you excessively dread the symptoms and avoid situations that you fear may trigger an attack. While shying away from places and situations is occasionally possible, some can’t be completely avoided, especially those related to work or school. You may develop a general tendency to stay in your comfort or safe zones and socially withdraw.

Agoraphobia can considerably restrict your life. If you are young, getting your education is important. If you have a job, there could be places you have to go to grow in your career or to get a promotion. Staying close to home may feel safe, but it can limit your ability to lead a fulfilling life, and you may miss wonderful opportunities.

What Causes Panic Attacks?

If you are aware of what triggers your panic attacks, you may feel more in control. When you know your triggers you can plan to implement skills to decrease the likelihood of having a panic attack. Unfortunately, the exact cause of panic disorder itself isn’t really clear, though studies have pointed to genetic as well as environmental factors.

In the post The Genetic Basis of Panic Disorder, a group of Korean scientists led by Hae-Ran Na say that “There has been evidence for either genetic heterogeneity or complex inheritance, with environmental factor interactions and multiple single genes, in panic disorder’s etiology.” They also suggest that a number of biological systems, specifically transmitter systems, may be linked to panic disorder. For instance, a structural aberration in the part of the brain that controls your fight-or-flight response can trigger your panic attacks.

Major life events and substance abuse are environmental factors that can potentially contribute to or trigger panic disorder. Certain medical conditions, such as low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), mitral valve collapse, and overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), may also trigger panic attacks, as can taking certain medications.

Overcoming Panic Disorder

You are not alone in your battle against panic disorder. More than four million Americans (5% of the general population) are affected by panic, says the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH). It is widely held that this figure could be higher because many go undiagnosed or don’t receive treatment. You don’t have to face panic alone, counseling and medication management can help.

Carolina Counseling Services in Durham, North Carolina contracts with skilled licensed therapists and psychiatric professionals who know how to treat panic disorder. Providers are in network with most major insurances including Aetna, Aetna State Health Plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), Tricare, Medicaid and many more. Call now to get started.

Jaime Johnson Fitzpatrick LCMHCS, LCAS is one of the Owners and Vice Presidents of Carolina Counseling Services. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist in the State of North Carolina as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in State of New York. Jaime is also certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and utilizes various other approaches in her practice.