PANIC DISORDER
Panic disorder is one of five types of Anxiety disorder.
Panic Disorder – People with this condition have feelings of terror that strike suddenly
and repeatedly with no warning. Other symptoms of a panic attack include sweating,
chest pain, palpitations (irregular heartbeats), and a feeling of choking, which may make
the person feel like he or she is having a heart attack or “going crazy.”
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – People with OCD are plagued by constant
thoughts or fears that cause them to perform certain rituals or routines. The disturbing
thoughts are called obsessions, and the rituals are called compulsions. An example is a
person with an unreasonable fear of germs who constantly washes his or her hands.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – is a condition that can develop following a
traumatic and/or terrifying event, such as a sexual or physical assault, the unexpected
death of a loved one, or a natural disaster. People with PTSD often have lasting and
frightening thoughts and memories of the event, and tend to be emotionally numb.
Social Anxiety Disorder – Also called social phobia, social anxiety disorder involves
overwhelming worry and self-consciousness about everyday social situations. The worry
often centers on a fear of being judged by others, or behaving in a way that might cause
embarrassment or lead to ridicule.
Specific Phobias – A specific phobia is an intense fear of a specific object or situation,
such as snakes, heights, or flying. The level of fear usually is inappropriate to the
situation and may cause the person to avoid common, everyday situations.
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder – This disorder involves excessive, unrealistic worry and
tension, even if there is little or nothing to provoke the anxiety.
Panic disorder is a different from the normal fear and anxiety reactions to stressful
events in our lives. Panic disorder is a serious condition that strikes without reason or
warning. Symptoms of panic disorder include sudden attacks of fear and nervousness, as
well as physical symptoms such as sweating and a racing heart. During a panic attack, the
fear response is out of proportion for the situation, which often is not threatening. Over
time, a person with panic disorder develops a constant fear of having another panic attack,
which can affect daily functioning and general quality of life.
Symptoms of panic attack, which often last about 10 minutes, include:
Difficulty Breathing
Pounding heart or chest pain
Intense feeling of terror
Sensation of choking or smothering
Dizziness or feeling faint
Trembling or shaking
Sweating
Nausea or stomach pain
Tingling or numbness in the fingers and toes
Chills or hot flashes
A fear that you are losing control or are about to die
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Although the exact cause of panic disorder is not fully understood. Studies have
shown that a combination of factors, including biological and environmental, may be
involved. These factors include:
Family history – panic disorder has been shown to run in families.
Abnormalities in the brain – panic disorder may be caused by problems in parts of
the brain.
Substance abuse – abuse of drugs and alcohol can contribute to panic disorder.
Major life stress – stressful events and major life transition, such as the death of a
loved one, can trigger a panic disorder.
Panic disorder affects about 3 million adult Americans. Panic disorder most often
begins during late adolescence and early adulthood. It is twice as common in women as
in men.
If symptoms of panic disorder are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by
performing a complete medical history and physical exam. Although there are no
laboratory tests to specifically diagnose panic disorder, the doctor may use various tests
to look for physical illness as the cause of the symptoms.
If no physical illness is found, you may be referred to a psychiatrist, psychologist, mental
health professionals who are specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses.
A combination of the following therapies is often used to treat panic disorder:
Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Medication
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REFERENCES
WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-
panic/guide/mental-health-panic-disorder
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1. There are several recognized types of anxiety disorders.
(choose all that apply)
A. Panic disorder
B. OCD
C. PTSD
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
2. What therapies is often used to treat panic
disorder?(choose all that apply)
A. Psychotherapy
B. Cognitive behavioral therapy
C. Medication
D. Stress management
3. What are signs and symptoms of panic attack? (choose
all that apply)
A. Difficulty breathing
B. Sweating
C. Chills
D. Hypertension
1. A,b,c,d 2. A, b, c 3. A, b, c
Shirly Barnett
Shirly Barnett