Panic Disorder: Symptoms and Diagnosis
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Panic Disorder: Symptoms and Diagnosis
Anxiety and Boredom
Sufferers tend to have a high level of what is called trait anxiety. In other words, they are generally anxious, nervy people. However, any specific panic attack is associated with state anxiety. This means that panic attacks in a sufferer are always attached to specific circumstances, for example public speaking.
A sufferer who has infrequent panic attacks is known as spasmodic, whereas a frequent sufferer is known as acute. Changing levels of background anxiety can cause a sufferer to improve (become spasmodic) or decline (become more acute). For instance, a fear of being laid off at work might make panic attacks on the bus more likely. Even if the sufferer has no specific fears about her job, her anxiety level may be so high that she has to resort to taxis. Conversely, an improving home environment for a child sufferer might mean less frequent panic attacks at school.
Many sufferers also report a high level of boredom before having a panic attack. Unable to just relax, they instead focus on the possibility of panic. This is one reason why many sufferers feel fine doing an activity with a friend. Their mind is taken up by the conversation and by the company of the other person.
Reversal Theory
A panic disorder sufferer’s susceptibility to anxiety and boredom may be explained by reversal theory. This theory holds that any given person will be at a state ranging from low to high ‘arousal’. Arousal in this context represents our energy level in response to events around us. For example, low arousal comes from sitting in a comfortable chair watching television. High arousal comes from riding a roller-coaster.
Reversal theory states that we each perceive our own level of arousal in different ways. For some, low arousal represents relaxation, whereas others are more likely to find the situation boring. Similarly, high arousal can be felt as excitement, or it can be felt as anxiety and fear.
A panic disorder sufferer is more likely to perceive any situation in a negative way. Sitting in a comfortable chair is relaxing for many, but a sufferer is more likely to feel bored and tense. A roller-coaster is exciting for some, but again, a sufferer is more likely to feel anxious and fearful.
Other Behavioral Symptoms
Many sufferers also describe feelings of anger because of their lack of control over panic. Low self-esteem is common. Some report a sense that they ‘don’t deserve’ a normal life. For treatment to begin in earnest, these sufferers must first begin to feel a sense of pride in themselves.
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