Anxiety and Panic Disorder
Mackenzie Smith, Health-2, 10-16-13
Keep Calm and Don't Panic
Definition- repeated episodes of intense fear that strike often and without warning.
Age/Gender Specific- Affects twice as many girls during teen or early adulthood.
Causes
- Stress
- Family History
- Brain Malfunctions
- Abuse of Drugs and Alcohol
Symptoms
- Difficulty breathing
- Pounding heart or chest pain
- Intense feeling of dread
- Sensation of chocking or smothering
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- Trembling or shaking
- Sweating
- Nausea or stomachache
- Tingling or numbness in the fingers and toes
- Chills or hot flashes
- A fear that you are losing control or are about to die
treatment and Medication
- Cognitive (behavioral therapy)- Focuses on helping you change your thinking in a process called cognitive restructuring. With this method you'll learn how to replace the panicky automatic thought you have with more realistic thoughts.
- Psychotherapy - It is a process in which trained mental health professionals help people be talking through strategies for understanding and dealing with their disorder.
- Medication would be anti-depressant drugs( Paxil and Zoloft) and anti-anxiety medications( Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin).
- Relaxation techniques
More Information
Panic disorder is characterized by periodic attacks of anxiety or terror (panic attacks). Panic attacks that include only one or two symptoms, such as dizziness and heart pounding, are known as limited-symptom attacks. These may be either residual symptoms after a major panic attack or precursors to full-blown attacks. Women may be more likely than men to experience shortness of breath, nausea, and feelings of being smothered. More men than women have sweating and abdominal pain.
Agencies
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America
http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/panic-disorder-agoraphobia
8701 Georgia Ave, Suite 412, Silver Spring, MD 20910
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
3803 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203
- Medline Plus
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/panicdisorder.html
8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894