PANIC DISORDER What is a panic disorder ? Panic disorder(PD) is to have a sudden and repeated attacks of fear that last for several minutes and physical discomfort.

What do they bring? Panic disorders are characterized by a fear of disaster or of losing control even when there is no real danger.

What goes on during these attacks ? A Racing heart Sweating Hard time breathing Weakness or dizziness Feeling hot or cold Tingly or numb hands Chest pain Stomach pain

DSM-IV-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 (e.g., losing control, having a heart attack, "going crazy") (c) a significant change in behavior related to the attacks

When do you get this ? Typically starting in young adulthood Can appear at any age in children Elderly but most often it begins in young adults

DSM-IV-CRITERIA (Continued) B) The Panic Attacks are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism). 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).

Etiology The etiology of panic disorder remains a mystery some theories say they are 1) Genetically given to you 2) Excessive stress 3) Unhealthy diet: Deficiency of calcium, magnesium and vitamin B. 4) Lack of sleep will directly effect the brain and may result in excessive stress

Prevalence Prevalence of Panic disorder: approximately 2.4 million Americans Prevalence Rate of Panic disorder: approx 1 in 113 or 0.88% or 2.4 million people in USA Incidence Rate of Panic disorder: approx 1 in 58 or 1.70% or 4.6 million people in USA Lifetime risk of Panic disorder: 3 million Americans ; 1.6% adults Prevalence of Panic disorder: Panic disorder strikes between 3 and 6 million Americans, and is twice as common in women as in men. Incidence of Panic disorder: About 1.7% of the adult U.S. population ages 18 to 54 approximately 2.4 million Americans - has panic disorder in a given year.

Treatment (CBT) Behavioral therapy Breathing exercises Interoceptive exposure Real-life exposure Psychodynamic Treatment Anti depressants Fluoxetine Sertraline Fluvoxamine Paroxetine Citalopram

Prognosis Patients with panic disorder have a poor prognosis particularly if untreated due to Stress Suicidal thoughts Abnormal feelings If treated 30–40% of patient will do better if they take medication

Class Discussion Question H0w would you react if you saw somebody having a Panic Attack at a public seeting? What kind of stigma does PD have?

Reference Halgin, R.P. & whitbourne, S.K.(2005). Abnormal phycology: clinical perspectives on psychological disorders. New York, NY: mcgrawhill. A Memon, M. (2011). Panic Disorder retrieved from emedicine.medscape.com/article/ overview#aw2aab6b2b2aa PubMed Health, (2011). Panic Disorder retrieved from /