Panic Attacks and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is More Common Than You Think
ď ś The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates 26% of American adults over age 18 suffer from some form of mental health disorder. That totals nearly 60 million people, or 1 in 4 adults. Of all those with a diagnosable mental health problem, those with anxiety disorders are the most common. ď ś Mental illness is the main cause of permanent disability in the United States, and nearly half of people with a mental disorder diagnosis have more than one disorder.
ď śAnxiety disorders affect over 40 million American adults, or about 18 percent of the adult population. ď śFrequently people with anxiety disorders also suffer from depression or substance abuse. The average age of onset for anxiety disorders is 21.5 years.
ď śAnxiety disorders are very treatable with therapy or medications, yet only 1/3 of those suffering from anxiety diagnoses seek treatment. ď ś The causes of anxiety disorders are complex, but they include genetics, life events, personality and brain chemistry.
ď ś Panic disorders impact about 2.7% of American adults, or approximately 6 million people. People can develop panic attacks at any age, with the median age of onset being 24 years. ď śWomen are twice as likely as men to suffer panic attacks, and the illness is very often seen alongside depression.
ď śPanic attacks occur out of the blue and most people who experience a panic attack become preoccupied with fear that another one will happen. Some people even get panic attacks while they are asleep. ď śAs with anxiety disorders, panic disorders are treatable but many people are afraid or ashamed to seek help. They may distance themselves from family, friends and other support systems.
ď śPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, affects close to 8 million American adults or 3.5% of the adult population. It can develop at any age and occurs as the result of exposure to traumatic events such as rape, assault, terrorism, war, disasters and accidents. Some 19% of Vietnam veterans experienced PTSD after that war.
ď śStatistically, rape is the most likely trigger of PTSD, and 65% of men and 46% of women who are raped develop the disorder. Sexual abuse as a child makes a person much more likely to develop PTSD during their lifetime. Many soldiers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been diagnosed with PTSD, and the numbers are challenging the military and Veteran’s Administration mental health care systems.
ď ś PTSD is closely associated with panic attacks, which may occur suddenly or when something reminds the person of the traumatic event in their past. The symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, recurring dreams about the event, panic attacks and avoiding things that recall the event. These experiences often severely disrupt the lives of sufferers and their families. Panic attacks often make the person feel as if they are dying or losing control, and they can last for a few minutes to a few hours.
ď śAnxiety and panic attacks along with PTSD cause trouble sleeping, anger outbursts, nightmares, unrelenting fear, and preoccupation with threats or feeling constantly insecure. People might have trouble relating to others or feel hopeless about the future.
ď śThey may even feel as if events in their life are unreal or as if they are watching events from outside their bodies. There are effective treatment options for all three disorders, including therapy, medication, lifestyle changes and peer supports.
About The Author: Judie Keys CCH of Panic & PTSD Hypnotherapy Center San Diego, 1761 Hotel Circle South Suite 356, San Diego, CA 92108 Phone (619) 961-7555 offers Drug Free Solutions to Panic and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from her San Diego office as well as over the phone in private. Inquiries Welcome. Panic & PTSD Hypnotherapy Center San Diego = http://thehealingtree.net/