Lesson 3: Panic Disorder

Question 1

Define panic attack

Answer 1

An abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within 10 minutes

Question 2

Panic attacks must have at least _ physical symptoms

Answer 2

4

Question 3

Physical symptoms of panic attacks

Answer 3

Palpitations, pounding heart beat
Sweating
Trembling/shaking
Shortness of breath/smothering
Feelings of choking
Chest pain/discomfort
Nausea/abdominal distress
feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed or faint
chills or heat sensations
Numbness tingling sensations
Feeling detached from onself or like things aren’t real
Fear of losing control or “going crazy”
Fear of dying

Question 4

Is panic attack a disorder?

Answer 4

No

Question 5

What are the DSM-5 requirements of a panic disorder diagnosis?

Answer 5

Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
Fear of fear itself
With more than one month of:
- worry about future panic attacks AND/OR
- change in behavior due to the attacks

Question 6

What is the one-year prevalence of panic disorder?

Answer 6

2.4%

Question 7

What is the lifetime prevalence of panic disorder?

Answer 7

3-4%

Question 8

W:M ratio of panic disorder?

Answer 8

5:2

Question 9

What is the average age of onset for panic disorder?

Answer 9

15-35

Question 10

True or false: Almost everybody with agoraphobia has panic disorder.

Answer 10

True

Question 11

What is agoraphobia?

Answer 11

Persistent, excessive, irrational fear of places where escape is difficult

Question 12

What are some examples of places that those with agoraphobia may fear?

Answer 12

Public transportation, parking lots/bridges, shops, lines, crowds, etc.

Question 13

Ultimately, those with agoraphobia begin to fear spaces where escape is difficult because they worry about _______ _ ______ _____

Answer 13

having a panic attack

Question 14

One-year prevalence of agoraphobia:

Answer 14

1.7%

Question 15

W:M ratio of agoraphobia

Answer 15

2:1

Question 16

Average age of onset for agoraphobia

Answer 16

15-35

Question 17

Those with panic disorder have a high degree of ______ sensitivity

Answer 17

anxiety

Question 18

What is anxiety sensitivity?

Answer 18

A tendency to focus on one’s bodily sensations, assess them illogically, and interpret them as harmful

Question 19

If you start to worry about anxiety symptoms, then the number of symptoms/panic attacks increase/decrease

Answer 19

increase

Question 20

Is there a genetic componet of panic disorder?

Answer 20

Yes!

Question 21

What two treatment types are common for panic disorder?

Answer 21

Drug therapy
CBT

Question 22

What types of drugs can be used for panic disorder?

Answer 22

Antidepressant
Benzodiazepines

Question 23

Benzodiazepines are great for chronic/acute use

Answer 23

acute

Question 24

Why would you prescribe a benzodiazepine for a panic disorder?

Answer 24

Good for those experiencing panic attacks 3 times a week rather than multiple times a day

Question 25

For some individuals, just knowing that they have a benzodiazepine on them is enough to stop any panic attacks

Answer 25

True

Question 26

What does the C in CBT address in panic disorder?

Answer 26

Address catastrophic thoughts/beliefs

Question 27

What does the B in CBT address in panic disorder?

Answer 27

Exposure (relaxation, breathing, bodily panic symptoms, physical cues)
Basically, help them experience the physical side of a panic attack without actually experiencing an attack

Question 28

Are panic attacks dangerous for the average individual?

Answer 28

Nah.

Question 29

It’s very hard to do CBT effectively if the client is taking which drug?

Answer 29

Benzodiazepines

Question 30

Why is the diagnosis requirement for panic disorder only one month instead of 6?

Answer 30

Because the symptoms are so severe and very, very distressing, so it can’t wait.