Is a panic disorder treatable?
JOHANNESBURG – The South African Depression and Anxiety Group has a dedicated day on the national calendar to help raise awareness around panic attacks and the disorder, especially because of the shame and stigma attached to the disorder.
Panic Awareness Day is celebrated today, 10 July. When you have a panic disorder, you can experience great distress and isolation. There are people who can help you, people who understand so, do not suffer in silence – contact the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) to get treatment and help.
According to Sadag, a panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear that comes without warning and without any obvious reason. It is far more intense than the feeling of being ‘stressed out’ that most people experience. Some people experience this feeling on a more regular basis and this may prevent them from going to work, shops or just going out in public.
Clinical psychologist and cognitive behaviour therapy expert, Dr Colinde Linda said that during a panic attack, the individual usually thinks something like ‘I am having a heart attack’ or ‘I am going insane’, but may not be aware of how those thoughts affect, even exacerbate the attack’s symptoms. “During cognitive behaviour therapy, people learn to recognise their earliest thoughts and feeling and modify their response to them – instead of ‘I’m going to have a heart attack’, rather think and say ‘It’s only uneasiness – it will pass’. It really does help to reduce the anxiety and ward off a panic attack.”
Dr Linda said that a panic disorder is highly treatable and learning about anxiety disorders and accepting that they can happen to anybody is a far better option than attempting to hide or to ignore the problem and allow it to jeopardise your career, marriage, and relationships with children, parents, and friends.
Sadag has an active referral list of psychologists, psychiatrists, free brochures and handouts as well as nation-wide support group numbers that may help sufferers and their families understand the illness and its treatment. Contact SADAG on 011 783 1474/6 or 0860 103 645. They are open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. Visit Sadag’s website to learn more about panic and anxiety disorders.
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/166226/dont-miss-a-beat-when-it-comes-to-your-heart/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/222916/men-get-help/
