Panic Disorder: Symptoms And Analysis

Panic disorder is a psychological disorder that is characterized by repetitive panic attacks and constant fear of when and where the next panic attack will occur (Meyers & DeWall, 2015). Panic disorder differs from general anxiety disorder in that anxiety comes in the form of panic attacks. A panic attack is a “minutes long episode of intense fear that something horrible is about to happen” (Meyers & DeWall, 2015). According to the American Psychological Association, around one in seventy-five people suffer from panic attacks with symptoms beginning to appear during the teen years or young adulthood (2017). This paper explains symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for panic disorder.

History of Panic Disorder Anxiety disorders,

Symptoms of panic attacks can include dizziness, choking, trembling, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and chest pains. However, different people can experience slightly different symptoms (Meyers & DeWall, 2015). One woman described her panic attack saying it made her feel very hot and like she could not breathe. Her heart was racing and she felt sweaty as if she were going to faint. However, because the attacks typically only last a few minutes by the time she got to the emergency room her attack was almost over (Meyers & DeWall, 2015). Contrary to popular belief, experiencing occasional panic attacks does not mean a patient has panic disorder. Panic disorder is much more severe and is characterized by experiencing several panic attacks and have a continuous fear of when and where the next attack will occur (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2002). Many patients with panic disorder develop agoraphobia. This is the “fear or avoidance of situations in which escape might be difficult when panic strikes” (Meyers & DeWall 2015). This fear can lead patients to avoid places where panic attacks have occurred before, and if it is severe enough it can cause patients to avoid leaving their homes as much as possible. According to the American Psychological Association, the symptoms of panic disorder usually appear during the teen years or early adulthood. Major life events such as, graduating, getting married, or

Most psychologists and psychiatrists agree that therapy should be the first treatment for this disorder (APA, 2017). If a patient were to show up at a hospital while actively experiencing a panic attack, then he or she may be given a benzodiazepine. This is an antidepressant that can be habit-forming so it is only recommended that it is used for short-term treatment (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2002). The first choice medication for treating panic disorder is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). It is FDA approved in the form of Prozac, Paxil, Pexeva, and Zoloft. SSRIs have a low risk of side effects (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2002). Other FDA approved medications include Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors such as Effexor XR (Mayo Clinic Staff,