Panic disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring severe panic attacks.
It may also include significant behavioral changes lasting at least a
month and of ongoing worry about the implications or concern about
having other attacks. The latter are called anticipatory attacks (DSM-IVR). Panic disorder is not the same as agoraphobia
(fear of public places), although many afflicted with panic disorder
also suffer from agoraphobia. Panic attacks cannot be predicted,
therefore an individual may become stressed, anxious or worried
wondering when the next panic attack will occur.[1] Panic disorder may be differentiated as a medical condition, or chemical imbalance. The DSM-IV-TR describes panic disorder and anxiety differently. Whereas anxiety is preceded by chronic stressors
which build to reactions of moderate intensity that can last for days,
weeks or months, panic attacks are acute events triggered by a sudden,
out-of-the-blue cause: duration is short and symptoms are more intense.[2]
Panic attacks can occur in children, as well as adults. Panic in young
people may be particularly distressing because children tend to have
less insight about what is happening, and parents are also likely to
experience distress when attacks occur.
Screening tools like Panic Disorder Severity Scale can be used to detect possible cases of disorder, and suggest the need for a formal diagnostic assessment.[3][4]
Panic disorder is a potentially disabling disorder, but can be
controlled and successfully treated. Because of the intense symptoms
that accompany panic disorder, it may be mistaken for a life-threatening
physical illness such as a heart attack.
This misconception often aggravates or triggers future attacks (some
are called "anticipatory attacks"). People frequently go to hospital emergency rooms
on experiencing a panic attack, and extensive medical tests may be
performed to rule out other conditions, thus creating further anxiety.
There are three types of panic attacks: unexpected, situationally
bounded, and situationally predisposed.[5]
