Week 5: Panic Disorder

A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. When panic attacks occur, you might think you're losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.

Many people have just one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes, but if you've had recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, you may have a condition called panic disorder.

Panic attacks typically include some of these symptoms (mayoclinic.org):

•   Sense of impending doom or danger

•   Fear of loss of control or death

•   Rapid, pounding heart rate

•   Sweating

•   Trembling or shaking

•   Shortness of breath or tightness in your throat

•   Chills

•   Hot flashes

•   Nausea

•   Abdominal cramping

•   Chest pain

•   Headache

•   Dizziness, lightheadedness or faintness

•   Numbness or tingling sensation

•   Feeling a sense of detachment

Causes:

It's not known what causes panic attacks or panic disorder, but these factors may play a role:

•    Genetics

•    Major stress

•    Temperament that is more sensitive to stress/prone to negative emotions

•    Certain changes in the way parts of your brain function

Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and often avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed.

• •      With agoraphobia, you fear an actual or anticipated situation, such as using public transportation, being in open or enclosed spaces, standing in line or being in a crowd.
• •      Most people who have agoraphobia develop it after having one or more panic attacks, causing them to fear another attack and avoid the place where it occurred.