文档介绍：When Fear Holds Sway
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder
characterized by unexpected and
repeated episodes of intense fear
panied by physical symptoms
that may include chest pain, heart
palpitations, shortness of breath,
dizziness, or abdominal distress.
These sensations often mimic symp-
toms of a heart attack or other life-
threatening medical conditions. As a
result, the diagnosis of panic disorder
is frequently not made until extensive
and costly medical procedures fail to
provide a correct diagnosis or relief.
Many people with panic disorder
develop intense anxiety between
episodes. It is not unusual for a per-
son with panic disorder to develop
phobias about places or situations
where panic attacks have occurred,
such as in supermarkets or other
everyday situations. As the frequency
of panic attacks increases, the person
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often begins to avoid situations where Facts About Panic Disorder and substance abuse. Appropriate
they fear another attack may occur or ■ Approximately million diagnosis and treatment of other disor-
where help would not be immediately American adults ages 18 to 54, or ders are important to essfully
treating panic disorder.
available. This avoidance may eventu- about percent of people in this age
ally develop into agoraphobia, an group in a given year, have panic dis-
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inability to go beyon