PANIC DISORDER

By: Carlos Mayen Psychology Period: 3

Definition

Panic Disorder: an anxiety disorder that is characterized by sudden attacks of fear and panic.

Anxiety: a feeling of worry or nervousness Panic: sudden uncontrollable fear.

Associated Features

A Panic attack is a period of time when a person with this disorder feels discomfort or fear, a person may experience four or more of the following symptoms:

Palpitations (irregular heartbeat due to agitation)

Sweating

Associated Features

Trembling (shaking) Shortness of breath (a feeling of difficult

breathing) Feeling of chocking Chest pain Nausea (a feeling of sickness) Feelings of dizziness

Associated Features

Fear of loosing control or going crazy Sensation of numbness Chills Fear of dying

DSM-IV-TR criteria diagnosis

1. Recurrent (occurs repeatedly) unexpected attacks.

2. 1 of the attacks has been followed by one month.

Concern about having additional attacks Worry about the attack and its consequences A significant change in behavior due to the

attacks.

DSM-IV-TR continuation

Panic attacks are not due to effects of a substance (such as: a drug, or medication in general)

Etiology (the cause)

The exact causes of panic attacks are unclear, however panic attacks sometimes run in families. They can also be caused by medical conditions and other physical causes. Severe stress, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or job loss can also trigger (cause) a panic attack.

Prevalence

2.4 million adult Americans suffer from anxiety panic attacks.

Panic attack symptoms are twice as common in women as in men.

Panic attack symptoms most often begin in late adolescence or early adulthood.

Panic attacks rarely occur in people over the age of 65. The risk for experiencing panic attack symptoms appears

to be inherited. 10% of the population will have a panic attack at one

time in their lives.

Treatment

Medication is an option to treat a panic disorder such as:

Antidepressants ,though this drug is known for depression treatments it is also very effective for panic disorder.

Treatment

Therapy is also a treatment for panic disorder such as:

Cognitive therapy, which is a nondrug therapy that helps a person recognize the fears that cause the panic.

Behavior therapies, which helps a person relax their anxiety level and control their breathing as a way to fight the panic.

Prognosis

With appropriate treatment between 30% and 40% of the patients become symptom free for a certain period of time.

Another 50% continue to experience only mild symptoms (not that severe) that do not significantly affect daily life.

Discussion

1. Do you think panic attacks can occur without us knowing, if so in what ways?

2. Do you know anybody who has gone through panic attacks or still is?

References

1. Haligin, R.P. & Whitbourne, S.K.(2005). Abnormal psychology: clinical perspectives on psychological disorders. New York, NY; McGraw Hill.

References

2. Aetna(SM) InteliHealth The Trusted Source. Retrieved from: http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/23722/25982/187879.html?d=dmtHealthAZ

3. DSM IV Panic Disorder Criteria. Retrieved from: http://www.biologicalunhappiness.com/DSMpanic.htm