PANIC DISORDER
SYMPTOMS
- Sweating
- Pounding heart
- Sensations of shortness of breath
- Shaking
- Cheast pain
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy
DIFFERENT THEORIES
- The theory of panic disorder is that symptoms are caused by an imbalance of one or more chemicals such as, serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
- The panic disorder is a result of maladaptive and faulty interpretation of bodily sensation.
- People affected by panic disorder appear to have an increased sensitivity to the environmental and social signals, which produce a heighten sense of anxiety.
TREATMENTS
Medication is used for prevention and/or immediate alleviation of symptoms and is usually the main line of treatment. In addition, psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation, and meditation are often used to help relax the body and relieve anxiety. Certain antidepressants can help prevent anxiety and reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks, but are not used for immediate relief during an attack. Frequently used antidepressants are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro, and Zoloft This group of medication is often considered the first line of treatment for panic disorder
PREVALENCE
DSM-IV panic attacks (PA) and panic disorder (PD) with and without agoraphobia (AG). Lifetime prevalence estimates are 22.7% for isolated panic without agoraphobia (PA-only), 0.8% for PA with agoraphobia without PD (PA-AG), 3.7% for PD without AG (PD-only), and 1.1% for PD with AG (PD-AG).
INTERESTING FACTS
- Panic Attacks Can Occur While You're Asleep.
- Panic Attacks Don't Just Occur with Panic Disorder.
- Diet and Exercise Can Impact Panic Attacks.
- Avoiding Panic Attacks Can Increase Your Fears.