Panic Disorder

Question 1

Panic disorder- characterized by:

Answer 1

1- Eps of acute, severe anx (anx building up rapidly over a timescale of seconds).

2- Prominent phy symps (chest pain, hyperventilation, breathlessness, dizziness, faint, unreality, tingling).

3- Sense of impending doom (fear of heart attack, epileptic fit, stroke, death).

4- Attack Ends with lying down, collapsing, or frantic running into air outside- or back into home.

5- Patient ids whatever preceding event as a cause & tries to avoid that situation. (fear of panicking becomes a restriction- may develop agraphobia).

Question 2

Summary panic disorders

Answer 2

panic is a disabling anxiety.
not obviously a defense mechanisms- e.g. not for increased vigilance, fight or flight.

-panic often found with other anxiety disorders & depression.

Question 3

Prevalence-

Answer 3

2.5% of the population.

Question 4

Treatment

Answer 4

1- Explanation- reassurance
2- BT or CBT
3- Anti-ds - SSRIs, TCAs, MAOIs
4- Anxiolytics- Benzodiazepines.