Panic Disorder
Description
Produces a life threatening response to an external stimulant that does not exist. The sympathetic nervous system is activated producing a flight or fight response. The heart rate and respiratory rate increases, and the palms become sweaty. Up to 2% of the population have panic disorder (panic attacks). It is often a recurrent disorder. Episodes typically last from 2 to 10 minutes, but can be as long as 1-2 hours.
Symptoms
Chest pain, 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, shortness of breath, sweating, chills, hot flashes, trembling.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to rule out other causes of the symptoms may be done including ruling out substance abuse.
- CBC
- Chem 12
- Lipase
- Troponin
- D-Dimer
- BHCG
- UA
- X-Ray
- EKG
- CT Scan
Treatment
Benzodiazepines (lorazepam/Ativan, alprazolam/Xanax), antidepressants (fluoxetine/Prozac, sertraline/Zoloft, paroxetine/Paxil, fluvoxamine /Luvox, cetalopram/Celexa, escitalopram/Lexapro), and cognitive behavioral therapy (working with a therapist) are all provided as treatment.
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- Mental Health Clinic
- Family Practice
- Internal Medicine
- Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
Share Your Experience
Do you have experience with this disease? Do you or someone
you know suffer from Panic disorder?
Please share you experience with other members of the iTriage community.
I started having Panic Attacks about a year ago. Lately, they have become debilitating. From what I have read and listened to, its not Anxiety. They just come out of the blue. The one strange side effect I have, is a very strong metallic smell and taste. Almost a combination of metal and burning plastic. Does anyone else have this?