Panic Attacks, Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks that seem to "come out of
the blue." Panic attacks are discrete periods of intense fear or discomfort that typically
involve some of the following symptoms: shortness of breath, heart palpitations,
dizziness or unsteadiness, chest pain, trembling or shaking, sweating, feelings of
unreality or detachment, tingling sensations, fears of dying, and fears of going crazy
or losing control. It is common for people who suffer from panic attacks to assume
that they are having a medical emergency and then be told by a physician that they do
not have a medical condition.

Often when people experience panic attacks they become fearful of situations that they
associate with having panic attacks or situations from which they might have difficulty
escaping if they did have a panic attack. Agoraphobia is the avoidance of situations or
places from which escape might be difficult or help might be unavailable if a panic
attack were to occur. Typical situations that people avoid include driving (especially
freeways, bridges, and tunnels), public transportation, crowds, stores, restaurants,
theaters, waiting in line, elevators, closed-in spaces, or being far from home.

Panic disorder and agoraphobia are highly treatable conditions. Cognitive-behavior therapy,
often in conjunction with pharmacotherapy (medications), has been shown to be highly
effective in the treatment of these symptoms.

Cognitive-behavior therapy typically includes:

• Education about the nature of panic and anxiety. The more you know, the better
  you'll be able to utilize cognitive-behavioral strategies to break the cycle of panic
  and avoidance.
  
• Monitoring of panic attacks and anxiety symptoms. Learning about your own panic
  reactions, physically, cognitively, and behaviorally, will help you to start taking
  control of your panic reactions.
  
• Learning coping statements and helpful self-talk to better handle the automatic
  anxiety-provoking thoughts you have when you feel panic or high anxiety.