Defined as:
Panic disorder is recurrent unexpected panic attacks
paired with worry about panic attacks or avoidance/behaviour change
The panic attacks need to have no obvious stimuli
A panic attack is defined as an intense abrupt surge of fear that includes 4 or more of the following symptoms and peaks within 10 minutes
shortness
sweatinf
pounding heart
feelings of choking
chest pain and discomfort
just really stress responses to a dangerous stimulus
Diagnoses requires
- recurrent unexpected panic attacks
- at least one of the attacks has been followed by either
- persistant conter or worry about having additional attacks or their consquences (heart attack or going crazy)
- a significant aladaptive change in behavior related to the attack (avoidance)
- cannot be explained by anything else (eg anaemia angina etc.)
Other factors:
maybe expected or unexpected
full symptoms vs limited symptoms
Symptoms are:
Physiological: panic attack
Cognitive: worry about further attacks
Affective: feel terrible strong desire to flee
Behavioural: left shop abruptly, subsequent avoidance of shop
Prevalence: (community), (clinical)
4.7% lifetime prevalence median age 20-24