Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is an episode of fear or intense panic that usually lasts for about 10 minutes.

Symptoms of Panic Attack (if diagnosed, usually you will experience at least 4 of these symptoms):

• Fear of dying
• Fear of imminent danger
• Fear of going crazy
• Feeling that you want to run out of the room
• Feeling of choking
• Feeling of being smothered
• Depersonalization or the sense that things are not real
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Palpitations
• Dizziness
• Chills
• Hot flashes
• Tingling sensation

Panic attacks can occur in three ways:

1. Unexpectedly - the attack comes for no apparent reason.
2. Situational - they occur always to a specific situation, for instance, always when going into a closet.
3. Situationally Predisposed - they may occur sometimes in a specific situation, for instance, sometimes while driving.

Panic disorder is diagnosed if the person has an unexpected attack and worries excessively about having another one and they are also usually situationally predisposed. Sometimes people will try to change their behaviors in order to avoid having the attack. For instance, calling in sick for fear of having an attack while driving.

Panic disorder can affect any age group.

Articles

• Anxiety Symptoms - Anxiety & Panic by Joanne King
• Anxiety & Panic - How to Help a Sufferer of Anxiety & Panic Disorder by Joanne King
• Managing Anxiety - Anxiety & Panic by Joanne King
• 10 Ways to Avoid Panicking That Fit Any Budget by Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach
• Anxiety & Panic - Two Steps to Take Before the Healing Process Begins by Joanne King