Panic Disorder

1. Panic Disorder http://videos.howstuffworks.com/sciencentral/2709-how-panic-disorder-works-video.htm Jessica Delgado Period: 2

2. What is Panic Disorder? • Panic Disorder is an anxiety disorder marked by unpredictable minutes-long episodes of intense fear where a person experiences terror along with chest pain, choking, and other frightening sensations.

3. Associated Features • Chest pain/discomfort • Dizziness or faintness • Fear of dying • Fear of choking • Feelings of detachment • Feeling of unreality • Sweating, chills, hot flashes • Trembling , shaking • Fast heart rate DSM-IV-TR • Palpitations, pounding heart • Accelerated heart beat • Sweating • Trembling/ shaking • Sensations or shortness of breath • Fear of dying • Fear of losing control • Nausea abdominal tress

4. The Etiology of Panic Disorder • The exact cause of panic disorder is unknown but there are tendencies that panic disorder has to do with complex interaction of biological, genetic, environmental and social factors, as well as running in the family.

5. Biological & Genetics • Many experts believe that there are strong biological components in the development and maintenance of the disorder. • An imbalance of one or more chemical messengers that communicate with each other. • Serotonin- transmits nerve signals between nerve cells, a change in serotonin levels can change your mood. • Norepinephrine- passes nerve impulses from one neuron to the next. • Gamma Aminobutyric Acid- sends brain signals to regulate other cells; has to do with relaxation

6. Prevalence • Panic Disorder affects about 2.4 million adult Americans. • It is twice as common in women then as in men. • Although it is not often diagnosed on children until adulthood they tend to suffer from Panic Disorder.

7. Treatments • Like any disorder there are ways to treat it or control it. • Treatments • Behavioral therapies • Support groups • Meditation • Relaxation training • Medication -Antidepressants -Benzodiazepines

8. Prognosis of Panic Disorder • Panic disorder can be very long-lasting and very difficult to treat. • Some people may not be cured with treatment but some can improve by taking behavioral therapies. • The out come of the disorder is that some of the people with the disorder tend to abuse alcohol and illegal drugs. • There lives get affected drastically, they become unemployed, unable to maintain a personal relationship rather with their family or their significant other. They become less productive at work.

9. Discussion Question • What is the significance of getting panic disorders treated?

10. References • Ankrom, S. (2011). Biological, metabolic, genetic and environmental influences. In What causes panic disorder? Retrieved April 28, 2011, from The New York Times Company website: http://panicdisorder.about.com/od/causes/a/pdcauses.htm • Halgin, RP., & Whitbourne, SK. (2005). Abnormal psychology: clinical perspectives on psychological disorder. New York, NY: McGraw Hill. • Myers, D.G. (2011). Myer’s psychology for ap. New York, NY: Worth Publisher • Panic disorder. (2005). Anxiety & panic disorders guide. Retrieved April 28, 2011, from WebMD website: http://www.webmd.com/anxiety- panic/guide/mental-health-panic-disorder • PubMed Health. (2011). Panic disorder. Retrieved April 27, 2011, from A.D.A.M. website: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001922/