What Is Panic Disorder?

Have you been diagnosed with panic disorder and are wondering how your doctor came to that conclusion? Or maybe you haven't talked to a health professional yet, but you are sure what you're experiencing is a panic attack. Or perhaps you know someone with panic disorder and you'd like to learn more about it.

Learning the basics of panic disorder can help you better understand the condition and those who have panic disorder:

Panic Disorder is an Anxiety Disorder

Panic disorder is one of several anxiety disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), anxiety disorders are the most common of all psychiatric disorders. In the United States alone, 40 million people suffer from anxiety disorders. The other anxiety disorders are:

• agoraphobia
• generalized anxiety disorder
• social anxiety disorder
• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• specific phobias

Symptoms of Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is marked by recurrent, spontaneous panic attacks. A panic attack is an intense period of fear or discomfort. During the attack, a person may experience several uncomfortable symptoms. See What Are the Symptoms of Panic Disorder? for a complete list.

To be a diagnosed panic attack, four or more symptoms should be present. Otherwise, the attack is described as a "limited symptom attack." Those who experience panic attacks usually describe them as occurring "out of the blue."

Diagnosing Panic Disorder

One panic attack does not result in a diagnosis of panic disorder. In fact, many people experience a panic attack at some time in their lives. While the experience may be a bit disconcerting, it doesn't result in panic disorder.

To become panic disorder, the initial panic attack will be followed by at least a month of one or more of the following:

• Constant worry about having another panic attack
• Constant worry about the cause of the attack (ex: heart attack)
• Major behavioral change related to the panic attack

In addition, it should be determined that the panic attacks are not the result of:

• A substance (drug abuse, medication)
• A physiological condition (such as hyperthyroidism)
• Another psychiatric disorder (particularly other anxiety disorders)

In other words, it's important to have a complete physical to rule out all possible causes, and it's important to find a mental health provider who specializes in anxiety disorders to rule out other possible diagnoses.

The Importance of Panic Disorder Treatment

Many researchers believe panic disorder to be a chronic condition. Indeed, for many, the severity of panic disorder seems to fluctuate over time.

The chronic nature of panic disorder emphasizes the need for early and appropriate treatment. The NIMH notes that a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy works the best for the most people. Individual needs, however, vary, so the person with panic disorder and the treatment provider should be willing to keep trying different approaches until the most effective treatment is found.

If untreated, panic disorder often becomes more and more disabling. The initial panic attack is followed by chronic worry and, usually, more attacks. Many people begin to avoid places and situations where they've had panic attacks. This can lead to another disabling condition called agoraphobia. As their lives become more limited, some people become depressed. Others turn to alcohol or drugs to self-medicate and ease the symptoms. Relationships and jobs may be severely affected. These terrible possibilities may be avoided, however, with quick and proper treatment.

Self-Diagnosis of Panic Disorder

Self-diagnosis may help you talk more clearly about your problems with your treatment provider. Sometimes it's difficult to put those intense symptoms into words. Reading about panic disorder may help. On the other hand, self-diagnosis should not be a substitute for professional diagnosis. As mentioned above, panic attacks may indicate physiological problems. And panic attacks may also appear with other anxiety disorders. It is important to discuss your concerns with a professional and to have all possible problems ruled out first.

^Sources:

Kessler Ronald C, Wai Tat Chiu, Olga Demler, and Ellen E. Walters. "Prevalence, Severity, and Comorbidity of Twelve-Month DSM-IV Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R)." Archives of General Psychiatry 62(2005):617-27.

Pollack MH, and MW Otto. "Long-Term Course and Outcome of Panic Disorder." The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 58 Suppl 2(1997): 57-60.

Rosenberg NK, and R Rosenberg. "Three Years Follow-Up of Panic Disorder Patients: A Naturalistic Study." Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 35(1994): 254-62.