Panic Disorder

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Panic Disorder

You become terrified for no apparent reason; your heart feels as though it will beat right out of your chest; you sense an overall feeling of doom and you get dizzy. Am I dying, or am I just crazy? If you are crazy, then so are 2.4 million other people in the United States. Panic disorder, one of many anxiety disorders, is a serious and potentially debilitating illness. This illness is treatable, however, only one-third of those who suffer will actually be treated.

What is panic disorder? Panic disorder is characterized by panic attacks, which are periods of intense fear, or discomfort, in which four or more of the following symptoms develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10 minutes:

Palpitations, pounding heart

Sweating

Trembling or Shaking

Sensations of shortness of breath or

smothering

Feeling of choking

Chest pain or discomfort

Nausea or abdominal distress

Dizziness, unsteadiness, light

headed, or fainting

Feeling of unreality

Fear of losing control

Fear of dying

Numbness or tingling sensations

Chills or hot flushes

To be diagnosed as panic disorder, the attacks must be recurrent and unexpected. At least one of the attacks must be followed by at least one month, or more, of one, or more, of the following:

Persistent concern about having

another attack

Worry about the implications of the

attack or its consequences; heart

attack, going crazy, losing control

A significant change in behavior

related to the attacks

True panic attacks resulting from panic disorder are not due to any physiological effects of a substance, or to any general medical condition such as hyperthyroidism. ...

... middle of paper ...

...ho suffer from panic disorder are no more responsible for their symptoms than people who have heart disease or diabetes. Tremendous progress is being made regarding accurate diagnosis and treatment. It is important to remember that panic disorder can be serious and even fatal for those who go untreated. When panic disorder is properly diagnosed and treated, secondary complications, such as depression and suicidal tendencies can be prevented.

Bibliography:

References

Brody, Jane. "Doctors Miss Clues to Mental Disorders. New York Times, Dec. 14, 1994.

Silio, Chi Chi. Answers to Yours Questions About Panic Disorder, American Psychological Association.

Zuercher-White, Elke. An End to Panic. New Harbinger Publications, Oakland, CA, 1995, 35

Weinstock, Lorna & Gilman, Eleanor. Overcoming Panic Disorder. Contemporary Publishing Group, Inc.

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