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Panic disorder
is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of
intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may
include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath,
dizziness, or abdominal distress. These sensations often
mimic symptoms of a heart attack or other life-threatening
medical conditions. As a result, the diagnosis of panic
disorder is frequently not made until extensive and costly
medical procedures fail to provide a correct diagnosis
or relief.
Many people
with panic disorder develop intense anxiety between episodes,
worrying when and where the next one will strike. Fortunately,
effective treatments have been developed to help people
with panic disorder.
How
Common Is Panic Disorder?
- In a given
year, 1 to 2% of the U.S. population has panic disorder.
- Women are
twice as likely as men to develop panic disorder.
- Panic disorder
typically strikes in young adulthood. Roughly half of
all people who have panic disorder develop the condition
before age 24.
What
Causes Panic Disorder?
The exact cause of panic disorder is unknown and is the
subject of intense scientific investigation. Possible
causes include heredity, other biological factors, stressful
life events, and overreacting to normal bodily sensations.
Some research suggests panic attacks occur when a “suffocation
alarm mechanism” in the brain erroneously fires, falsely
reporting that death is imminent.
What
Treatments Are Available for Panic Disorder?
Treatment for panic disorder includes medications and
a type of psychotherapy known as cognitive-behavioral
therapy, which teaches people how to view panic attacks
differently and demonstrates ways to reduce anxiety. NIMH
is conducting a large-scale study to evaluate the effectiveness
of combining these treatments. Appropriate treatment by
an experienced professional can reduce or prevent panic
attacks in 70% to 90% of people with panic disorder. Most
patients show significant progress after a few weeks of
therapy. Relapses may occur, but they can often be effectively
treated just like the initial episode.
Can People
with Panic Disorder Also Have Other Physical and Emotional
Illnesses?
Research shows that panic disorder can coexist with other
disorders, most often depression and substance abuse.
About 30% of people with panic disorder use alcohol and
17% use drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana, in unsuccessful
attempts to alleviate the anguish and distress caused
by their condition. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment
of other disorders such as substance abuse or depression
are important to successfully treat panic disorder. Approximately
20% of people with panic disorder attempt suicide.
It is not unusual
for a person with panic disorder to develop phobias about
places or situations where panic attacks have occurred,
such as in supermarkets or other everyday situations.
As the frequency of panic attacks increases, the person
often begins to avoid situations where they fear another
attack may occur or where help would not be immediately
available. This avoidance may eventually develop into
agoraphobia, an inability to go beyond known and safe
surroundings because of intense fear and anxiety.
People with
panic disorder may also have irritable bowel syndrome,
characterized by intermittent bouts of gastrointestinal
cramps and diarrhea or constipation, or a relatively minor
heart problem called mitral valve prolapse. In fact, panic
disorder often coexists with unexplained medical problems
such as chest pain not associated with a heart attack
or chronic fatigue.
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