Panic Disorder Health Article

Definition

A panic disorder is a psychological state characterized by acute (rapid onset) feelings, which engulf a person with a deep sense of destruction, death and imminent doom. The main feature of panic disorder (PD) is a history of previous panic attacks (PA). The PA symptoms are pronounced and the affected person will gasp for air, have increased breathing (hyperventilate), feel dizzy (light headed), and develop a loss of sensation (parasthesia). Most patients will run outside and symptoms like increased breathing will slow and the PA symptoms will subside. Most PA last three to ten minutes. It is rare for PA to extend in duration over 30 minutes.

Description

The essential characteristics of panic disorder, consist of specific and common criteria. The affected person usually has recurrent and unexpected panic attacks (the active presentation of panic disorder). The PA is characterized by a discrete, rapid onset feeling of intense fear or discomfort. Affected persons have several somatic (referring to physical signs) or cognitive (thinking) symptoms. Affected persons usually react in a manner that indicates impending doom. They commonly exhibit signs of a sweating, racing heart beat, chest pain, shortness of breath, and the perception of feeling smothered. The panic attack (PA) is usually followed by one month (or more) of one or more of the following thought processes:

• Persistent concern or preoccupation about having future attacks
• Worry about the possible consequences, complications, or behavioral changes associated with attacks (e.g. losing control, going crazy, or having a serious medical condition like a heart attack).

Genetic profile

Panic disorder definitely runs in families and twin studies suggest that about 20% of patients who have the criteria for diagnosis have first-degree relatives with the disorder. In families with no history of affected first-degree relatives the prevalence decreases to 4%. The ratio between monozygotic twins (identical) to dizygotic (non-identical) twins is 5:1 for PD. Recent evidence suggests that there is a genetic mutation in the SLC6A4 gene. This gene is related to a brain chemical called serotonin, a chemical in the brain, which is known to effect mood. If the transport of serotonin is imbalanced then certain parts of the brain may not receive the correct stimulus causing alterations in mood. Some studies have demonstrated that there is no positive family history in about 50% of patients diagnosed with PD. Other possible causes of PD include social learning and autonomic responsivity (the attack will affect the body and hypersensitizes nerve cells in the brain).