The Scientific Development of a Theory of Panic Disorder

 The Scientific Development of a Theory of Panic Disorder

The general belief that all forms of life share a common ancestor is known as the Theory of Evolution. Modern humans, or "homo sapiens," are said to have descended from apes, according to this view. It disproved the accepted theories about the Big Bang and the origin of mankind and suggested that humans may have descended from monkeys. Charles Darwin, the first of the evolutionary biologists, examined and extensively documented this hypothesis.

In Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Charles Robert Darwin came into this world on February 12, 1809, into an affluent and politically connected family. His paternal grandfather was Erasmus Darwin, a prominent English thinker of the 18th century, and his maternal grandpa was Josiah Wedgwood, a porcelain potter. While attending Edinburgh University, Darwin intended to become a doctor. However, he changed his mind and studied divinity at Cambridge. He boarded the survey ship HMS Beagle in 1831 to participate in a five-year scientific voyage.

For twenty years, Darwin refined his theory. In 1858, the two scientists announced their finding together after discovering that another scientist, Alfred Russel Wallace, had come up with similar theories. The work "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection" was published by Darwin in 1859. Over the years, different authorities have put Darwin's enigmatic and crippling ailment during his adolescent years down to a variety of complaints, including tropical sickness, dyspepsia, intellectual weariness, poor nerves, and arsenic poisoning. The symptoms that Darwin was experiencing were likely a combination of agoraphobia and panic disorder, as reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Anxiety attacks accompanied by physical manifestations such as a racing heart, shallow breathing, shakiness, profuse perspiration, uneasiness, and vertigo are symptoms of panic disorder, which afflicts around 13 million Americans. It may seem like the end of the world or that the victim is going crazy to some of these victims. Many people who suffer from panic attacks have an unhealthy obsession with avoiding situations that can trigger another attack. As a result, they drastically alter their behavior. It strikes women at a rate twice that of men. It manifests in people of all ages, from young children to the elderly. Young adults often show it more prominently. When Darwin's sickness initially started to worsen, he was 27 years old.

Panic disorder does not necessarily develop in all people who have panic attacks. A large number of people only experience a single attack and never again. Individuals suffering from panic disorder may find their condition severely impairing if they do not receive treatment. Developing a fear of places or things that trigger panic attacks is a common symptom of panic disorder, which is typically coupled with other mental health issues like alcoholism or depression.

Medication isn't necessary for the effective treatment of panic disorder for many people. But when medicine is required, benzodiazepines (such clonazepam and alprazolam) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the meds most often given to people with panic disorders. Medication treatment on its own is usually not enough to alleviate a patient's symptoms; psychotherapy is often necessary to assist patients learn to control their fears and overcome their conditioned responses to specific bodily sensations. Experts generally believe that the most effective method for treating panic disorder is a mix of behavioral and cognitive therapy.

Anxieties about having another panic attack is the main sign of panic disorder. If you or someone you know experiences four or more panic attacks in a row, or if you've already had one and still worry about having another, it may be time to consult a mental health expert who focuses on anxiety disorders.

When someone is going through an attack, it can assist to practice relaxation techniques. Methods include practicing positive imagery and retraining one's breathing patterns. Professionals have noticed that panic disorder sufferers often breathe a little faster than usual. One way to cope with and avoid panic attacks is to learn to slow down one's breathing rates. Medications for anxiety, depression, and even heart conditions, including beta blockers for arrhythmia control, may be administered. Some persons with panic disorder also find that joining a support group helps a lot. While it isn't a replacement for professional therapy, it can provide some relief and benefit.

According to experts, Charles Darwin's revolutionary work in biology may not have been possible if he hadn't struggled with a mental illness. While he was in a "mysterious" condition, he became a reclusive scholar and came up with a highly contentious theory. His panic disorder symptoms began soon after he began keeping a hidden notebook that, twenty-two years later, would become his extensive explanation of one of the greatest scientific achievements of all time.