Panic disorder with Panic disorder with AgoraphobiaAgoraphobia

• A person experiences an unexpected panic attack, and then has intense anxiety over the possibility of having another attack.

• The person fears and avoids whatever situation might induce a panic attack.

• It also involves extreme terror.

• Patients can experience sudden panic attacks when they fear they are out of control, help would be difficult to obtain, or they could be embarrassed.

•During a panic attack, epinephrine is released in large amounts, triggering the body's natural fight-or-flight response. A panic attack typically has an abrupt onset, building to maximum intensity within 10 to 15 minutes, and rarely lasts longer than 30 minutes.

• Symptoms of a panic attack include:Symptoms of a panic attack include:• PalpitationsPalpitations• rapid heartbeatrapid heartbeat• SweatingSweating• TremblingTrembling• NauseaNausea• VomitingVomiting• DizzinessDizziness• tightness in the throattightness in the throat• shortness of breath.shortness of breath.

The CausesThe Causes

• Although the exact causes of agoraphobia are Although the exact causes of agoraphobia are unknown, some clinicians offer hypotheses. The unknown, some clinicians offer hypotheses. The condition has been Chronic use of tranquilizers condition has been Chronic use of tranquilizers and sleeping pills.and sleeping pills.

• Research has uncovered a linkage between Research has uncovered a linkage between agoraphobia and difficulties with spatial agoraphobia and difficulties with spatial orientation. They rely more on visual or tactile orientation. They rely more on visual or tactile signals. They may become disoriented when signals. They may become disoriented when visual cues are sparse or overwhelming. Likewise, visual cues are sparse or overwhelming. Likewise, they may be confused by sloping or irregular they may be confused by sloping or irregular surfaces.surfaces.

• linked to the presence of other anxiety disorders, linked to the presence of other anxiety disorders, a stressful environment or substance abuse.a stressful environment or substance abuse.

How its cured

• Cognitive behavioral treatments:Exposure treatment can provide lasting relief to the majority of patients with agoraphobia. Similarly, Systematic desensitization may also be used.Cognitive restructuring has also proved useful in treating agoraphobia.Relaxation techniques are often useful skills for the agoraphobic to develop, as they can be used to stop or prevent symptoms of anxiety and panic.

Psycho pharmaceutical treatments• Anti-depressant medications most commonly used. Antidepressants are important because some have anti panic effects.Some evidence shows that a combination of medication and cognitive behavior therapy is the

•most effective treatment for agoraphobia Alternative treatments •Eye movement desensitization and reprogramming •Many people with anxiety disorders benefit from joining a self-help or support group

How I feel about having this

• Life seems to be a lot hard with this disorder than it does for other people. I feel like I get anxiety over almost every situation, and it makes hanging out with my friends and being spontaneous really difficult for me.

What I am afraid of

• Mostly I feel my anxiety in the night time. I am afraid of dieing. I'm afraid of going to sleep and

not waking up, and each night it’s a struggle. Generally I’m just afraid of dieing so anything dangerous spikes my anxiety.

Schedule at Night• Generally at

night my schedule goes like this:

• 11:30 climb into bed

• 11:35 the anxiety sets in

• 2:00 the anxiety is finally gone and replaced with exhaustion

• 2:30 fall asleep

It accompanies

• Also doctors have that that I have a phobia disorder with sleep

• It is called Somniphobia.

Somniphobia

• Hypnophobia or somniphobia is an abnormal fear of sleep. It may result from a feeling of control loss, or from repeating nightmares. The prefix Hypno- originates from the Greek word hupnos, which means sleep.

The symptoms • Rapid breathing,Shortness of breath,Confusion,Sweating,Feeling of panic,Feeling of terror,Feeling of dread,Sleepiness,Drymouth,Drowsiness,Trembling,Irregular heartbeat,and Nausea

•It’s typically thought to have numerous symptoms which affects the body. These symptoms can affect the patient both physically and mentally. Many feel anxiety when talking about the subject of sleep or even thinking about it.

Causes

• Causes of Hypnophobia (Somniphobia) The causes are not quite understood. Numerous patients who report having this phobia claim the source to be reoccurring nightmares.•Hypnophobia might even reflect an underlying

depressive disorder or anxiety disorder as well.It can also be caused by a traumatic experience. Patients may also become hypnophobic after sleeping through a traumatic event.

Treatment• There is no real cure for this disorder. • Similar to all phobias, anxiety seems to be the driving force behind almost all fears.

• The key to treating hypnophobia is to reduce anxiety, or to eliminate it completely. Other ways such as meditation, or yoga may help in the treatment process. If a patient is experiencing hypnophobia due to the lack of security while they are sleeping, it is recommended that they sleep next to, or near someone in order to have confidence that nothing will happen to them while they are sleeping.

• Cognitive Therapy is a widely accepted form of treatment for most anxiety disorders. It is also thought to be particularly effective in combating disorders where the patient doesn’t actually fear a situation but, rather, fears what could result from being in said situation. The ultimate goal of cognitive therapy is to modify distorted thoughts or misconceptions associated with whatever is being feared; the theory is that modifying these thoughts will decrease anxiety and avoidance of certain situations.

How I have been trying to cure this myself

• I have been trying my own ways to get to sleep at

night without the anxiety. • I have been trying to work

out to the point of exhaustion

• Thinking positively about the next day

• Leaving things that I have to finish tomorrow knowing that ill just have to get up to finish them

My medicine for this disorder

• I have been using antidepressants which include medicine I them which lowers my anxiety at night time and also helps me fall asleep at night time.

• My doctors also want me to start a group therapy sessions, to show me that I am not alone. Even though it feels like I’m all alone especially at night time.

• My doctors have also suggested I start a blog so they can monitor me at night time and see my progress and how I actually feel at night time. As apposed to in their office