Panic Disorder Heidi CatalanMrs. Marsh Psychology

Period 4

Panic Disorder Panic Disorder is

experience of panic attacks, periods of intense fear and physical discomfort.

Associated Features The thoughts and feeling that

characterize this disorder:◦Dizziness or unsteadiness◦Heat palpitations: meaning your

heart races.◦Sweating, trembling, stomach

distress◦Chills ◦Worrying about having another panic

attack◦They also have physical discomfort.◦With or without Agoraphobia

Associated Features DSM-IV-TR Criteria

A) Both (1) and (2)

(1) recurrent unexpected Panic Attacks

(2) at least one of the attacks has been followed by 1 month (or more) of one (or more) of the following:

(a) persistent concern about having additional attacks

(b) worry about the implications of the attack or its consequences : “going crazy”

(c) a significant change in behavior related to the attacks

Associated Features DSM-IV-TR Criteria Continued…

B) The Panic Attacks are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance or a general medical condition

C) The Panic Attacks are not better accounted for by another mental disorder, such as Social Phobia (e.g., occurring on exposure to feared social situations), Specific Phobia (e.g., on exposure to a specific phobic situation), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (e.g., on exposure to dirt in someone with an obsession about contamination), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (e.g., in response to stimuli associated with a severe stressor), or Separation Anxiety Disorder (e.g., in response to being away from home or close relatives).

EtiologyThe etiology of Panic Disorder may be

viewed as a biological disease.

Symptoms of a panic attack can also be triggered by:

cocaine, marijuana, hallucinogens, alcohol and other drugs

Environmental Sources:• certain environmental elements and cues that may

contribute to the development of panic disorder.

EtiologyGenetics :

It has been found to run in families.Psychological Aspects:

◦ The influence of life events and experience.Childhood Separation Anxiety:

◦ It’s a separation from an emotionally significant figure.

• Agoraphobia :• when a person has had a panic attack and

begins to fear situation.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=2gNGUartUEI

Prevalence 15% of Americans have

experience one or more panic attacks.

1.4% to 2.9% Have a panic disorder.

Almost 10% who are referrer to mental health have it.

Is more common in women than men.

The common age of onset is mid-teens to early adulthood.

Treatment Panic Control TherapyRelaxation TrainingCognitive Behavioral Therapy

Prognosis Panic Disorder can be cured with

appropriate treatment.The symptoms can get worse and

Agoraphobia can develop.

References What is the Prognosis of Panic Disorder?.

(2010).Onlymyhealth, Retrieved from programs source database.

FDA Consumer; Apr92, Vol. 26 Issue 3, p22, 6p, 1 Black and White Photograph, 1 Illustration

Halgin, R.P and Whitboorne, S.K.(2005).Abnormal Psychology Clinical Perspectiveson Psychology Disorders. New York, NY: MaGraw-Hill.

Discussion Question Does having a panic attack mean

you have a panic disorder?