Differentiating Panic Attacks from Psychotic Episodes: An Overview
Panic attacks and psychosis are two mental health conditions that can significantly impact a person's life. While they may seem unrelated, they share some common symptoms and can co-occur in certain individuals.
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of extreme fear, accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, feeling out of breath or dizzy, or a racing heart. These episodes can also include additional physical symptoms like nausea, shortness of breath, racing heart, dizziness, chest pain, and heart palpitations. Panic attacks can occur out of nowhere or have an obvious cause due to an external stressor, such as a phobia or fear.
On the other hand, psychosis is a symptom of an underlying mental health condition, such as schizophrenia, and involves seeing or hearing things that aren't there or believing things that don't make sense in reality. Symptoms of psychosis include delusions (false beliefs), hallucinations, odd behaviors, incoherent speech, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, trouble with overall functioning, social withdrawal, and lack of motivation.
While antipsychotic drugs are the main form of treatment to prevent psychotic episodes in people with conditions like schizophrenia, the treatment for panic attacks often involves cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. Beta-blockers, antidepressants (like serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)), and anti-anxiety medications (like benzodiazepines) may also be prescribed to help prevent panic attacks.
It's important to note that each instance of panic attacks or psychosis may require different treatment to help a person cope with future episodes. For instance, a person experiencing psychosis will likely need therapy, which can vary based on the condition.
Substance use, including alcoholism and the use of recreational drugs like cocaine or LSD, can cause psychosis. Similarly, certain medical conditions, such as syphilis, Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors, and multiple sclerosis (MS), can also trigger psychosis.
Approximately 1 in every 150 people will receive a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder in their lifetime. An estimated number of adults in the United States experience panic disorder (characterized by repeated panic attacks) at least once in their lifetime. Interestingly, approximately 45% of patients with schizophrenia may also have anxiety disorders.
In conclusion, understanding panic attacks and psychosis is crucial for mental health awareness. It's important for individuals with mental health conditions to work closely with a doctor to get the right treatment for their needs. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of panic attacks or psychosis, reach out to a healthcare professional for advice and support.
