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Panic disorder
Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent
panic attacks, or sudden experiences of intensive
fear/terror, that seem to have no clear external
cause. Panic attacks are separate periods of
intensive fear or distress that are followed by
various symptoms. They tend to occur suddenly,
reach its peak intensity within 10 minutes, and
maintain themselves for 20 minutes. Panic attacks
are followed by an intense continuous worry for
additional panic attacks, worry about its
catastrophic consequences, or a marked behavior
change. The first panic attack most often occurs in
a so called agoraphobic situation (for example,
when riding in a bus or subway or driving a car
alone), and often during a stressful life
situation. Common stressors are loss of a
relative/friend, disease that has struck a close
relative, separation, being a crime victim,
economic and residential stressors.
Symptoms that are experienced in a panic attack may
include palpitations, sweating, a pressure in the
chest, fear of dying, becoming crazy or doing
something uncontrolled etc. Ones bodily reactions
are interpreted as indications of a serious
physical or psychological disease that causes even
more worry and bodily reactions, that in a short
term leads to a panic attack.
Panic attacks can be unexpected, elicited by a
certain situation, or predisposed to become
elicited in a particular situation. Unexpected
panic attacks are those that are perceived as
appearing spontaneously, "as a thunder from a clear
sky". Panic attacks that are triggered by certain
situations are almost always elicited by these
particular situations. Panic attacks that are
predisposed to becoming elicited in a certain
situation occur only sometimes in such a
situation. A panic attack can be triggered by
various stimuli: specific places or situations,
feelings, normal physiological reactions, negative
expectations of future stressful situations,
activities, thoughts about panic or symptoms,
sleeping difficulties etc.
© Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) specialist in
Stockholm, 2005-2008, www.kbterapi.se
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