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.
  
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