Panic Disorder

1. Panic Disorder Heidi Catalan Mrs. Marsh Psychology Period 4

2. Panic Disorder • Panic Disorder is experience of panic attacks, periods of intense fear and physical discomfort.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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).

6. Etiology • The 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.

7. Etiology • Genetics : • 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

8. 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.

9. Treatment • Panic Control Therapy • Relaxation Training • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

10. Prognosis • Panic Disorder can be cured with appropriate treatment. • The symptoms can get worse and Agoraphobia can develop.

11. 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.

12. Discussion Question • Does having a panic attack mean you have a panic disorder?