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Panic disorder with agoraphobia

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by repeated and unexpected attacks of intense fear and anxiety.

Panic attacks are usually not related to a particular situation and typically peak within ten minutes of onset. The anxiety experienced by patients with social and specific phobias is usually expected or cued to a recognized stimulus.

Agoraphobia refers to a fear of being in places where escape might be difficult, or where help might be unavailable in case of a panic attack.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The exact cause of panic disorder is unknown, but it is associated with many different factors. Panic disorder can occur with or without agoraphobia , but agoraphobia develops in more than a third of cases.

The development of agoraphobia may involve learned behavior, because it reflects a fear of experiencing panic attacks in unprotected settings. Sometimes, panic attacks are associated with the areas where they have happened in the past.

Panic disorder can occur in children, but the average age of onset is 25 years old. Panic disorder affects middle-aged and older adults as well. Studies have shown that women are 2 to 3 times more likely to be affected.

References:

Moore DP, Jefferson JW. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry . 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:162-163.

Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Practice . 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2005:1440.

• Review Date: 5/8/2006
• Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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