In the show MTV True Life, I Panic the audience follows around three people who struggle with severe anxiety. Nichole is one of these individuals, who may display symptoms of Panic Disorder. This paper will revolve around Nichole and her symptoms of anxiety and discussing whether or not she has Panic Disorder.
Nichole is a 24 year old girl who is dealing with anxiety. At the time of filming she was engaged to a man named John for about two years. John and Nichole live together, and seem to care quite a bit about one another. It is clear that she went to college and already has her dress picked out for her wedding day. Nichole explains that she does not have many friends anymore due to her anxiety driving people away.
At the time of filming, this struggle with anxiety is a
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This is due to the fact that she not only has panic attacks, but she laments her anxiety and has had maladaptive behavior patterns due to said panic. The first symptom of Panic Disorder is that the individual must have a panic attack with specific symptoms. Nichole actually has a panic attack right in front of the camera, as she is waiting for her drive through food, which was taking longer than expected. During this panic attack, Nichole specifically describes herself being dizzy, nauseous, shaking, and worried about being alone. She shows signs of sweatiness, fatigue, hysteria, and hyperventilation. In order to calm herself down she has to talk to her fiancé on the phone so that she can calm herself down enough to drive back. During the drive home she is forced to stop at a right light which sends her into a full on frenzy, as her desire to go home is making her more anxious than usual. When she returns home from her venture to gather food, she burst into tears and explains to her fiancé that she cannot stop shaking. This is a clear panic attack, as not only does she describe her symptoms, but she shows them through her