Panic Disorder is More Common Than Cancer and Diabetes but Easier to Cure

July 26, 2010 - PRLog -- Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom – If the world found the cure for cancer, millions of people would be leading different lives. The world has known the cure for panic disorder for a very long time, yet so many continue to suffer from the ailment.(http://www.panicdisorderattacks.com)

Panic disorder is one of the most common mental health illnesses in the United States. Yet so many with panic disorder choose not to seek help out of fear (a characteristic of the disorder.) Many end up living in isolation, afraid of society or social situations, and are left with an unnatural lifestyle. It is part of what makes the disorder so crippling. This happens despite the fact that the success rate for panic disorder treatment is between 70% to 90%.

Patients with panic disorder need to understand that their condition is neither permanent nor hopeless. It is quite curable, and is more easily cured than cancer, and some cases of diabetes. As an illness, it isn't as bad as cancer or diabetes. Plus, there are many different treatment options for  panic disorder. The most popular one is a combination of psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT) and medication, usually to treat the co-morbid depression.

“Panic disorder is one of those extremely misunderstood mental illnesses.” says Mike Karowski, author of Perfectly Panic Free. “To those who do not have it, it all seems funny, but to those that do, it can feel like it's the end of the world.” Perhaps the greatest complexity of the disorder is that those who have it do want to lead more normal lives, but they simply cannot for two reasons: fear and not knowing where to start. Also, the mentally ill often do not seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health disorders. They simply do not want to seem crazy. “There is no reason why those with panic disorder need to suffer from the illness for long.” continues Karowski “Help and and treatment is available and accessible.”

Every year, support groups for various mental illnesses try to raise awareness about these disorders. The core belief is that if more people are educated, more people will be able to get the help they need. Many mental illnesses need to be treated as soon as possible, and are usually only made worse when suffered for many years or in isolation. The more people who know the signs and symptoms, the more likely they can help people they may know.