Panic Disorder
"It started 10 years ago, when I had just graduated from college and started a
new job. I was sitting in a business seminar in a hotel and this thing came out of
the blue. I felt like I was dying."
"For me, a panic attack is almost a violent experience. I feel disconnected from
reality. I feel like I'm losing control in a very extreme way. My heart pounds really
hard, I feel like I can't get my breath, and there's an overwhelming feeling that
things are crashing in on me."
"In between attacks there is this dread and anxiety that it's going to happen
again. I'm afraid to go back to places where I've had an attack. Unless I get help,
there soon won't be anyplace where I can go and feel safe from panic."
People with panic disorder have feelings of terror that strike suddenly and
repeatedly with no warning. They can't predict when an attack will occur, and
many develop intense anxiety between episodes, worrying when and where the next
one will strike.
If you are having a panic attack, most likely your heart will pound and you may
feel sweaty, weak, faint, or dizzy. Your hands may tingle or feel numb, and you
might feel flushed or chilled. You may have nausea, chest pain or smothering
sensations, a sense of unreality, or fear of impending doom or loss of control.
You may genuinely believe you're having a heart attack or losing your mind, or
on the verge of death.
Panic attacks can occur at any time, even during sleep. An attack generally
peaks within 10 minutes, but some symptoms may last much longer.
Many people with panic disorder visit the hospital emergency room repeatedly
or see a number of doctors before they obtain a correct diagnosis. Some people
with panic disorder may go for years without learning that they have a real,
treatable condition.
Some people's lives become so restricted that they avoid normal, everyday
activities such as grocery shopping or driving. In some cases they become
housebound. Or, they may be able to confront a feared situation only if
accompanied by a spouse or other trusted person. Basically, these people
avoid any situation in which they would feel helpless if a panic attack
were to occur. When people's lives become so restricted, as happens in
about one-third of people with panic disorder, the condition is called
agoraphobia. Early treatment of panic disorder can often prevent agoraphobia.
Not everyone who experiences panic attacks will develop panic disorder-for
example, many people have one attack but never have another. For those
who do have panic disorder, though, it's important to seek treatment.
Untreated, the disorder can become very disabling.
How Common Is Panic Disorder?
- - About 1.7% of the adult U.S. population ages 18 to 54 - approximately
2.4 million Americans - has panic disorder in a given year.
- Women are twice as likely as men to develop panic disorder.
- Panic disorder typically strikes in young adulthood. Roughly half of
all people who have panic disorder develop the condition before age 24.
- Risk of developing panic disorder appears to be inherited.
Can People With Panic Disorder Also Have Other Illnesses?
Research shows that panic disorder can coexist with other disorders, most often
depression and substance abuse. About 30% of people with panic disorder abuse alcohol
and 17% abuse drugs, in unsuccessful attempts to alleviate the anguish and distress
caused by their condition. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of other disorders
such as substance abuse or depression are important to successfully treat panic
disorder.
You may genuinely believe you're having a heart attack, losing your mind, or
are on the verge of death. Panic attacks can occur at any time, even during sleep.
This information has been excerpted from material developed by the National Institute for Mental Health.
