Panic Attack

Panic Attack Effects

Panic attacks not only affect your life the moment you are suffering it, it can also lead to a stream of problems and situations that if not addressed can end up ruining your relationships and your life in general.  Each panic attack is like an emotional blow that slowly takes over your mind lowering your self confidence.

The most common things that are a result of panic attacks are anticipatory avoidance and phobic avoidance.

With anticipatory avoidance you live in constant tension of a possible panic attack.  It is a very disturbing experience also referred as “fear fo fear”.  Phobic avoidance makes you avoid situations and places, this happens because you tend to relate them as the cause of your panic attack, other reason would be because a place is too crowded or has too little ways to escape.

Panic attacks can also have other effects if the situation gets complicated such as:

1. Depression, related to feelings that your life is getting out of control.

2. Substance abuse, sufferers will also try to treat themselves with drugs and alcohol as a way to escape their miserable condition.

3. Agoraphobia, the fear of public places and open spaces.

4. Suicide, it is estimated that 20% of people with panic disorders try to commit suicide at one point.

As you see, the disorder tends to evolve and include problems that weren’t there in the first place.  That is why it is of utmost importance to properly treat it.