Panic Disorder

What is panic disorder?

People suffering from panic disorder have frequent, recurrent, and unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of being frightened, terrified, accompanied by a rush of physical symptoms, including sweating, trembling, pounding or racing heart, shortness of breath or feelings of dizziness. Panic attacks are very scary experiences because during the attack, people feel as if they are going to die, something really bad is happening, or they are going crazy or lose control.

People with panic disorder worry almost daily that they will have another panic attack and are in a persistent state of anxiety in anticipation of the next attack. 

People with panic disorder often change their life style or behavior in some way so as to limit the likelihood of having another panic attack. 

People can become so frightened by an attack that they will try to avoid any situation that they think will bring on another attack. For example, if the person had an attack while driving, then he/she will not drive alone or avoid driving all together. 
People with panic disorder often worry that they may have something physically wrong with them. 

They visit emergency rooms and doctors frequently, but even after reassurance that they have no physical problems, they still worry that something is wrong with them. 
 

People with panic disorder may also avoid situations where they cannot escape or get help if an attack occurs.   

Typical situations that are avoided  

Elevators
Restaurants
Theaters
Classrooms
Supermarkets 
Shopping malls
Churches



Parking garages
Riding in trains, buses, subways
Getting on airplanes
Standing in a line
Being far away from home
Staying at home alone
Walking alone in the streets


There are very effective treatments for panic disorder, including cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. 

Panic disorder is a chronic psychiatric condition with a fluctuating course; symptoms can wax and wane over time. 

It affects about 4.7% of the U.S. population. It typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood. 

Left untreated, panic disorder can be debilitating and can prevent someone from functioning in daily life. 

It can sometimes leads to suicide, and is associated with other psychiatric illness such as other anxiety disorders, depression and alcohol use disorder. 
There are very effective treatments for panic disorder, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication. 

CBT is the most widely studied, empirically supported, and a validated form of psychotherapy for panic disorder. 

You should discuss with your doctor which type of treatment is appropriate for you.
About CBT

Panic attacks can occur 
in certain medical conditions.

Before attributing panic attacks to an emotional or psychiatric problem, it is important to first check with a medical doctor to eliminate any medical causes of panic attacks.  Medical causes can include a heart problem, a respiratory condition, or a hormonal problem like thyroid disease. 

Some medications and substances can cause panic attacks. These include  caffeine, marijuana, stimulants and other recreational drugs (e.g. cocaine, methamphetamines). 
You should discuss with your doctor about possible causes for your panic attack. 

Once a medical cause is ruled out, and you are found to be physically healthy, than you can consider alternative explanations for the panic attack.
References

Kessler RC, P Berglund, O Demler, R Jin, KR Merikangas, EE Walters. (2005) Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions for DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry. 62: 593-602.

Roy-Byrne PP, Craske MG, Stein MB. (2006). Panic Disorder. Lancet. 16(368): 1023-1032.
Share by: