Panic disorder
What is panic disorder?
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder.
We all know the meaning of panic — a feeling of great terror and loss of the ability to think and behave logically. Panic is a mental condition that usually results from a dangerous or frightening situation. It is, fortunately, a rare event for most of us.
For people who suffer from panic disorder, this feeling may be a frequent part of their life.
Symptoms of panic attacks
Those affected by panic disorder experience feelings of panic known as panic attacks. These can occur out of the blue and for no apparent reason.
During a panic attack, the affected person may experience a variety of symptoms. These include:
- feeling sick;
- rapid breathing (hyperventilation);
- rapid ‘thumping’ heartbeat;
- sweating; and
- tremor (shaking).
Panic disorder is thought to affect approximately 1-2 per cent of Australians each year. Panic attacks are very frightening and after 2 or 3 episodes some people develop the additional problem of agoraphobia, which is a fear of going out in case a panic attack should occur. This is a major additional problem, which can totally disrupt work and social life.
Treatment of panic disorder
Those with panic disorder can be helped. They can be taught to recognise the early signs of an attack and learn ways to overcome it. Special breathing techniques are particularly helpful. If the attacks tend to appear in certain situations, for example, in lifts or supermarkets, behavioural therapy can be used to break the vicious cycle which may have developed.
A number of medicines are available for panic disorder. In particular, some of the newer antidepressant medicines have been shown to be very effective in some cases.
Last Reviewed: 22 November 2007
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