Panic Disorder Research Paper

Words: 1065
Pages: 5
Open Document
Panic disorder (PD)
Epidemiology
Lifetime prevalence of panic disorder is 1 to 4 percent. Median age of onset is 20 – 24 years. Rates are similar among hispanics, blacks and whites.Women are two to three times more likely than men to be affected. Morbidity and impairment of quality of life in PD is comparable to that of depression (5, 23)
Clinical features
A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, and during which time four (or more) of the following symptoms occur: Palpitations/ Sweating/ tremors / sensation of choking/ shortness of breath/ chest pain/ nausea or abdominal distress/ light-headedness/ chills or heat/ paresthesias/ derealization or depersonalization / Fear of losing …show more content…
The term agoraphobia includes fears not only of open spaces but also situations like crowded stores, closed spaces, busy streets and wherever there is a difficulty of immediate or easy escape to a safe place. It is one of the most incapacitating of phobic disorders. Two groups of symptoms are described in agoraphobics, panic attacks and anxious cognitions about fainting and going crazy. Severely affected individuals become completely house-bound, especially women. Most patients are less anxious when accompanied by a trusted person or a family member. Depressive symptoms, depersonalization and obsessional thoughts may also be present …show more content…
The basal ganglia, the limbic system, the occipital lobe and the frontal cortex have been implicated. Genetic factors have also been implicated. Psychodynamic theory hypothesizes that anxiety is a symptoms of unconscious, unresolved conflicts. According to cognitive behavioral school, persons with GAD respond to incorrectly perceived dangers (23).
Differential diagnosis
GAD needs to be differentiated from anxiety disorder due to a medical condition such as pheochromocytoma or hyperthyroidism. Substance or medication induced anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, depression, bipolar disorder and psychotic disorders need to be ruled out (5).
Management
Among the medication, SSRIs are the first line agents and among SSRIs, sertraline is preferred. If Sertraline is ineffective then a switch to another SSRI/SNRI can be made. Buspirone, which is a 5 HT 1A receptor partial agonist has been found to be effective with GAD, especially in reducing the cognitive symptoms. Drugs with short half -lives such as venlafaxine and paroxetine should be avoided because they can cause withdrawal syndromes. Benzodiazepines may be used with caution on a short - term basis, due to their addiction potential. The effectiveness and side effects of the drugs must be reviewed every 2–4 weeks during the first 3 months of treatment and
Show More

Related Documents: Panic Disorder Research Paper

Anxiety Disorders Essay examples

Anxiety Disorders Jennie Banks BEH/225 August 21, 2011 Anxiety disorders affect people from all over the world and are actually the most common mental disorder. The main types of anxiety that will be discussed in this paper are as follows: specific phobias; panic disorder; generalized anxiety disorder; and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This paper will cover the previous types of anxiety disorders and different treatment methods currently used for people who suffer from them. (Maisto &…

Words 849 - Pages 4

Essay on Psychology final project

Psychological Disorders, Therapies, and Treatments Michelle Striewski GS110 F14 Section 13 Instructor: Billie Gilliam December 14, 2014 Psychological Disorders, Therapies, and Treatments I have chosen these two topics for my paper because I have a child who suffers from a mental disorder. She has been diagnosed with bipolar depressive disorder (Also known as manic depressive disorder). She has been diagnosed wrongly for many years. We have been to many psychologists, psychiatrists, medical…

Words 2040 - Pages 9

Panic Disorder and Online CBT Essay

Panic Disorder and Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy T. Wragg Counselling Methodologies: Behavioural and Cognitive Modalities Panic Disorder and Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Anxiety disorders (AD) are the most prevalent of mental health illnesses in contemporary Canadian society, and currently affect approximately one in ten individuals (Health Canada, 2009). In 2006, panic disorder (PD) was listed by the World Health Organization as a major cause of “years of life lived with disability”…

Words 4205 - Pages 17

The Correlation Between Religious Participation And Mental Health

Abstract This paper explores an article on results from research on how religious participation and DSM-IV Disorders among Older African Americans are related, if any relation. These findings come from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL). DSM-IV is the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition. The manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association and covers all mental health disorders for both children and adults. The research that will be explained…

Words 980 - Pages 4

Social Anxiety Disorder In College Students

Social Anxiety Disorder in College Students, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Effects Travis Markum SAD, DIAGNOSIS, PREVENTION, AND EFFECTS Abstract This paper analyzes scholarly articles and the book looking at college students who experience a form of a generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) called social anxiety disorder (SAD). Looking at relationship between transient versus permanent SAD in college students through various articles, the paper will try to understand how SAD importance truly…

Words 2145 - Pages 9

Cannabis And Hemp Plant Essay

hemp plants which are grown for their fiber and seeds. It is used as a psychotropic drug in order to produce hemp fiber, which is normally found in the long stalk of the plant. These fiber stalks of the hemp plant have been used to make clothing, paper, textiles and fuel. The cannabis leaves and/or flowers are also used medically as a “psycho-active for mind-altering purposes.” Cannabis comes in many forms such as dried flowers or buds (marijuana), pressed resin from flowers and leaves (hashish or…

Words 1478 - Pages 6

JoanPsychological Disorders Week 8 Essay

Assignment: Psychological Disorders Joan Simpson PSY/201/Week8 09/12/14 Katrena Taylor-Springs Social Anxiety Disorder Social anxiety disorder is one of the most common psychiatric disorders and mainly relates to having fear and anxiety both during and due to social situations. According to Murray, Stein and Gorman (2001), people with this disorder are “typically shy, timid, and quiet in groups and uncomfortable being the center of attention. People have a tendency to fear the scrutiny…

Words 685 - Pages 3

Dissociative Identity Disorder

A research paper, citing sources from textbooks, online scholar articles, government officials, and spe-cialist of Dissociative Identity Disorder. Paper will explain the history, the causes, and overview of the Dissociative Identify Disorder. The disorder is widely known to be caused by trauma. A patient with Dissociative Identity Disorder may experience severe personality changes and/or behaviors and have no recollection of the occurrence. The conclusion exemplifies that Dissociative Identity Disorder…

Words 1026 - Pages 5

PTSD Research Paper

In this paper I will research and discuss PTSD (post-traumatic stress syndrome) as well as explain the symptoms of the disorder and ways to help treat the disorder. PTSD disorder has many different physical and mental issues. An individual with PTSD can develop serious panic disorders, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal tendencies. The symptoms of PTSD can be grouped into three classifications. The first one is re-experiencing symptoms which involve symptoms like flashbacks, bad dreams and…

Words 819 - Pages 4

Weight Loss And Memory

Brianna Pace Research Paper #2 Memory June 17, 2013 Weight Loss and Memory The purpose of Pettersson’s research is to determine whether weight loss improves memory and alters brain activity in overweight women. The study was conducted on 20 overweight women, ages 61-65. Nine women were put on the Paleolithic diet and the other 11 women were placed on the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations of a diet which was less protein and more carbohydrates. Both groups were on the diet…

Words 481 - Pages 2