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, through research supported by the National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), effective treatments have
been developed to help people with panic disorder.
How Common Is Panic Disorder?
- In a given year 1.7% of the U.S. population (2.4 million
Americans) experiences 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?
Heredity, other biological factors, stressful life events, and
thinking in a way that exaggerates relatively normal bodily
reactions in catastrophic events are all believed to play a
role in the onset of panic disorder. Some research suggests
panic attacks occur when a "suffocation alarm mechanism" in
the brain erroneously fires, falsely reporting that death is
imminent. The exact cause or causes of panic disorder are unknown
and are the subject of intense scientific investigation.
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 of 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.
Do
you need help?
If you, or someone you love is depressed and contemplating
suicide, PLEASE get
some HELP! If you need help NOW, call the SA/VE Suicide
Hotline at:
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433
National Hotline |
