Panic disorder Health Article

Definition

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that causes repeated, unexpected attacks of intense fear. These attacks may last from minutes to hours.

See also: Generalized anxiety disorder

Alternative Names

Panic attacks

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The exact cause of a panic disorder is unknown. Genetics may play a role in this disorder. Studies suggest that if one identical twin has panic disorder, 40% of the time, the other twin will also develop the condition. However, panic disorder also often occurs in family members who are not blood relatives.

Panic disorder occurs twice as often in women as in men. A person with panic disorder often lives in fear of another attack and may be afraid to be alone or to be far from medical help.

Symptoms usually begin before age 25. Although panic disorder may occur in children, it is often not diagnosed until they are older. People with this condition often have medical tests and exams for symptoms related to heart attack or other conditions before a diagnosis of panic disorder is made.

Symptoms

With panic disorder, at least four of the following symptoms suddenly occur within 10 minutes. Attacks may be followed by at least 1 month of persistent fear of having another attack.

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Dizziness or faintness
• Fear of dying
• Fear of losing control
• Feeling of choking
• Feelings of detachment
• Feelings of unreality
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Numbness or tingling
• Palpitations or pounding heart
• Sensation of shortness of breath
• Sweating, chills, or hot flashes
• Trembling or shaking

There are often extreme changes in behavior at home, school, work, or with family. People with the disorder often worry about the significance of their panic attacks. They may think they are "going crazy" or having a heart attack.

Signs and tests

A health care provider will perform a physical examination, including blood tests and a psychiatric evaluation. Underlying medical disorders must be ruled out before the diagnosis of panic disorder can be made.

Disorders related to substance abuse should also be considered, because some can mimic panic attacks. Substance abuse may result when individuals with panic attacks try to cope with fear by using alcohol or illegal drugs.

Cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, and neurologic disorders may be suspected, and can be present at the same time as panic disorders. Specific diagnostic tests will vary between individuals and will be based on the symptoms.

Many people with panic disorder first seek treatment in the emergency room, because the panic attack feels like a heart attack.

Treatment

Anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, and cognitive behavioral therapy (working with a therapist) have been successfully used to treat panic disorders. The medications act on the central nervous system to reduce anxiety and related symptoms.

A commonly-used class of anti-anxiety medications is benzodiazepines, including aprolazam (Xanax). However, this class of medications is associated with dependence and addiction. Ideally, these drugs are used only on a temporary basis.

Drugs from a class of antidepressant called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most commonly used medications for panic disorder. They include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), cetalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). If these do not help, longer-term use of benzodiazepines may be considered if the person does not have a history of drug dependence and tolerance.

The monoaxmine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phnelzine (Nardil) tranylcypramine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) are only used when all the other drugs don't work. MAOIs are the most effective medications for panic disorder, but they have serious side effects and interactions with other drugs and foods. They should only be prescribed by a psychiatrist who is experienced in their use.

Behavioral therapies should be used together with drug therapy. These include cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure, relaxation techniques, pleasant mental imagery, and cognitive restructuring (learning to recognize and replace panic-inducing thoughts). Behavioral treatment appears to have long-lasting benefits.

Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and regularly scheduled meals may help reduce the frequency of the attacks. Caffeine and other stimulants should be reduced or eliminated.

Expectations (prognosis)

The disorder may be long-lasting and difficult to treat. Although some people with this disorder may not be cured with treatment, most can expect rapid improvement with drug and behavioral therapies.