Panic Disorder Flashcards
DSM Criteria
- Recurrent unexpected panic attacks (See DSM p. 208 for what an attack is) during which time one or more of the following symptoms occur: Palpitations, pounding heart or accelerated heart rate; sweating; trembling or shaking; sensations of shortness of breath or smothering; feeling of choking; chest pain or discomfort; nausea or abdominal distress; feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightened or faint; chills or heat sensations; paresthesias; dereliction or depersonalization; fear of losing control or going crazy; fear of dying
- At least one of the following attacks has been followed by one month or more of one or both of the following: persistent concern or worry about another attack or there consequences; a significant maladaptive behavior related to the attacks
- disturbance is not from substances or medical issues
- not better explained by another disorder (like PTSD)
Full blown attack
defined as four or more symptoms
Limited symptoms attack
less then four symptoms
Comorbidity
Rarely is diagnosed in isolation of other disorders
Behavioral Features of this disorder
Avoidance of situations that could cause another attack, “safety behaviors”. They are maladaptive and disruptive to life (i.e. avoiding driving at night because but you have to leave work in the dark so now you have quit your job)
Experiential avoidance
“unwilling to remain in contact w/ a particular private experience and take steps t alter the form or frequencies of these events and the contexts in which they occur”
Distraction
Watching tv… ect
Cognitive features
they believe they are going to be harmed/die from the symptoms
Treatment
2 types of CBT: 1. Barlow and Craske’s panic control treatment 2. Clark’s cognitive therapy for panic disorders
Medication; Benzo’s are helpful in the moment however HIGHLY ADDICTIVE AND WILL KILL YOU IN WITHDRAWAL POTENTIALLY
