Panic disorders
Panic Disorders
Panic disorders (pronunciation: /ˈpænɪk dɪsˈɔːdəz/) are a type of anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms. The term originates from the Greek word "panikon", meaning "pertaining to shepherd god Pan", who is said to have caused feelings of fear in people.
Definition
A panic disorder is a chronic anxiety disorder that is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are sudden periods of intense fear that may include palpitations, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, numbness, or a feeling that something terrible is going to happen.
Symptoms
The primary symptoms of panic disorders are recurrent panic attacks, along with fear of experiencing another attack. A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can occur at any time, and many people with panic disorder worry about and dread the possibility of having another attack.
Causes
While the exact cause of panic disorders is not known, factors including genetics, major stress or changes in life, and certain changes in the way parts of your brain function may play a role. Panic disorders often begin in late adolescence or early adulthood, but not everyone who experiences panic attacks will develop panic disorder.
Treatment
Treatment for panic disorders includes psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy, is considered effective for treating panic disorders. Medications such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines can also help reduce symptoms.
Related Terms
- Anxiety disorder
- Panic attack
- Psychotherapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Antidepressants
- Benzodiazepines
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Panic disorders
- Wikipedia's article - Panic disorders
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski