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Mental Health

Panic Disorder

What is panic disorder?

Panic disorder is characterized by chronic, repeated and unexpected panic attacks -- bouts of overwhelming fear of being in danger when there is no specific cause for the fear. In-between panic attacks, the person worries excessively about when and where the next attack may occur.

What are the characteristics of a panic attack?

Panic attacks can accompany several types of anxiety disorders -- not only panic disorder. They may include any of the following symptoms:

Medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy can help to prevent panic attacks or reduce their frequency and severity.

Who is affected by panic disorder?

Panic disorder typically first occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood, but may also begin in childhood. Women are twice as likely to experience this disorder, and some people may be genetically predisposed to the disorder. About 1- 2 percent of Americans suffer from panic disorder.

Panic disorder can be distressing and disabling. The rate of irritable bowel syndrome is higher among people with panic disorder than among the general population. Alcohol may be abused as a means to relieve stress.


This page was last updated on: February 5, 2008.

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