Panic+Disorder

=**P anic D isorder** =

**What exactly is Panic Disorder?** Is a //anxiety// disorder in which someone has repeated attacks of intense fear that something bad will occur when not expected. The person lives in fear that another attack will occur. Symptoms include an intense **fear of dying, a discomforting feeling or chest pains, trembling and shaking, sweating, dizziness and or fainting, a feeling of choking, dying, losing control, impending doom, unreality, and often feels as if they have a upset stomach.**

**What Causes a Panic Disorder?** Nobody knows exactly what causes a panic attack or this disorder, however, some doctors may think it is linked to genetics. But panic disorders often take place when there is no family history. Panic disorder is twice as common in women than it is in men and children may attain it but they are often not diagnosed until their adult years.

**Treatments Involved:**
 * Medications are more commonly used than Cognitve-Behavior therapy however it is still a recommended way to cure one having this disorder. **


 * ** //Antidepressants or SSRIs- // These are the **most commonly **used meds for panic disorders, some examples are Prozac and Paxil.**


 * SSRIs or SNRIs do not help, //benzodiazepines// may be used- When antidepressants do not help the patient, however this is a risky move considering how patients can get dependent on these type of drugs and they should be used for only a short amount of time.


 * //Monoamine oxidase inhibitors// (MAOIs)- These are to be only used when no other medications work and some common examples include Nardil, Parnate, and Marplan.

As stated earlier, //Cognitive-Behavior therapy// is another recommended treatment for Panic Disorder. //Ten to Twenty// visits are mandatory for any patient with this disorder and during their time in therapy, they gain an understanding of their mental disorder and attempt to gain a view of their stressors that intensify their disorder and cause a panic attack. They also learn to decrease their feeling of helplessness and learn methods to relax themselves when their symptoms occur.

**Prevention:** You can prevent suffering from a panic disorder by avoiding the following;
 * Alcohol
 * Stimulants such as coffee

**Expectations In the Long Run:** People with this disorder are sometimes never cured because they are difficult to treat and it could be a long-lasting disorder. However, most people are rapidly improved with the help of medications and therapy.

**Panic Disorders Are Linked To:** General Anxiety Disorder Phobias Depression Bipolar Disorder Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

 **Sources:** Berger, Fred K. "Panic Disorder- PubMed Health." //PubMed Health.// A.D.A.M, 1966. Web. 13 Apr. 20011. .//

//Campbell, Nancy M.// Panic Disorder. //Vol. 3. Mankato, MN: LifeMatters, 2002. Print. Mental Disorders.//

//"NIMH. Panic Disorder." NIMH.// Home. //MedlinePlus, 1977. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. 