minxy
05-21-2007, 10:11 PM
To be honest, It was a gr8 learning for me while researching about panic disorder which have observed in many people have conversed. It would be wonderful to see this topic grow as the forum grows with more members contributing here. Hopefully some may get the need help and advise.
What is Panic disorder
Panic disorder is a very interesting disorder. Just like we know diamond cuts diamond, taking the same cue, people with panic disorder suffer from a "fear of fear." These individuals suffer from panic attacks-- an intense feelings of terror that strike suddenly and are potentially incapacitating. These panic attacks are totally guess work, meaning that they come on with no warning signals, and thus individuals with panic disorder never know when they might suffer from an attack. In between attacks there is often an intense and lingering anxiety about the risk of having another attack. Often the fear of having another attack can lead an individual to avoid activities and restrict behaviors, leading to agoraphobic symptoms.(I will try to put information about Agoraphobia soon here). In some cases individuals can only perform certain activities in the presence of a "safe person" who they can trust and who can assist them in case of an attack. In just not for keeping them safe during an attack but some are even unable to work, and they may need to rely heavily on other family members, who must do the shopping and run all the household errands, as well as accompany the affected person on rare excursions outside the "safety zone." Thus the person with Panic disorder typically leads a life of extreme dependency as well as great discomfort.
People with panic disorder faces many complications in their life's like;
Social problems or exclusion
Isolation work problems
Alcohoal abuse
Drug abuse
Agoraphobia
Some facts about Panic disorder
Panic disorder is also known by some people as Panic attack. Further, Panic disorder is divided into two subtypes; Agorophobia with out panic disorder and Agoraphobia with panic disorder. Panic disorder is very different from everyday anxiety. Most frequently, it starts in young adulthood. Usually, it does not go away by itself. Many people with panic disorder develop intense anxiety between episodes. But with proper treatment, people with panic disorder can be helped and cured. The fact as the below provided references writes, proper treatment reduces or completely prevents panic attacks in 70 to 90 percent of people. Many people feel substantial relief in just weeks or months
Some statistics for Panic disorder
In USA, Panic disorder is prevalent in almost 1 in 113 and is incident in almost 1 in 65. Prevalence of panic disorder usually means the estimated population of people who are managing Panic disorder at any given time (i.e. people with Panic disorder). The term 'incidence' of Panic disorder means the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of Panic disorder diagnosed each year (i.e. getting Panic disorder). Hence, these two statistics types can differ: a short disease like flu can have high annual incidence but low prevalence, but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence. In UK, panic prder prevalence rate is about 500, 000 and incidence rates is about 1 million. For more information and region wsie statistics, one can check:
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/p/panic_disorder/stats-country.htm
What causes Panic disorders
Like other anxiety disorders, panic disorder may stem from a combination of physical and psychological factors. For example, some theorists emphasize the role of stressful events or unconscious conflicts that occur early in childhood. Recent evidence indicates that alterations in brain biochemistry, especially in norepinephrine, serotonin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid activity, may also contribute to panic disorder. Evidence implicates hereditary and temporal lobe dysfunction, and some theorists emphasize the role of stressful events or unconscious conflicts that occur early in childhood. The disorder may also develop as a persistent pattern of maladaptive behavior acquired by learning. Studies in animals and humans have focused on pinpointing the specific brain areas and circuits involved in anxiety and fear, which underlie anxiety disorders such as panic disorder. Fear, an emotion that evolved to deal with danger, causes an automatic, rapid protective response that occurs without the need for conscious thought. It has been found that the body's fear response is coordinated by a small structure deep inside the brain, called the amygdala. he amygdala, although relatively small, is a very complicated structure, and recent research suggests that anxiety disorders may be associated with abnormal activitation in the amygdala. One aim of research is to use such basic scientific knowledge to develop new therapies.
Some of the common reasons for its occurrences
Genetics: Panic disorder runs in families. One study has shown that if one twin in a genetically identical pair has panic disorder, it is likely that the other twin will also. Fraternal, or non-identical twin pairs do not show this high degree of "concordance" with respect to panic disorder. Thus, it appears that some genetic factor, in combination with environment, may be responsible for vulnerability to this condition.
Brain and Biochemical Abnormalities. One line of evidence suggests that panic disorder may be associated with increased activity in the hippocampus and locus coeruleus, portions of the brain that monitor external and internal stimuli and control the brain's responses to them. Also, it has been shown that panic disorder patients have increased activity in a portion of the nervous system called the adrenergic system, which regulates such physiological functions as heart rate and body temperature. However, it is not clear whether these increases reflect the anxiety symptoms or whether they cause them.
Another group of studies suggests that people with panic disorder may have abnormalities in their benzodiazepine receptors, brain components that react with anxiety-reducing substances within the brain.
In conducting their research, scientists can use several different techniques to provoke panic attacks in people who have panic disorder. The best known method is intravenous administration of sodium lactate, the same chemical that normally builds up in the muscles during heavy exercise. Other substances that can trigger panic attacks in susceptible people include caffeine (generally 5 or more cups of coffee are required). Hyperventilation and breathing air with a higher-than-usual level of carbon dioxide can also trigger panic attacks in people with panic disorder.
Because these provocations generally do not trigger panic attacks in people who do not have panic disorder, scientists have inferred that individuals who have panic disorder are biologically different in some way from people who do not. However, it is also true that when the people prone to panic attacks are told in advance about the sensations these provocations will cause, they are much less likely to panic. This suggests that there is a strong psychological component, as well as a biological one, to panic disorder.
Animal Studies : One series of studies involves an inbred line of pointer dogs that exhibit extreme, abnormal fearfulness when approached by humans or startled by loud noises. In contrast with normal pointers, these nervous dogs have been found to react more strongly to caffeine and to have brain tissue that is richer in receptors for adenosine, a naturally occurring sedative that normally exerts a calming effect within the brain. Further study of these animals is expected to reveal how a genetic predisposition toward anxiety is expressed in the brain.
Other animal studies involve macaque monkeys. Some of these animals exhibit anxiety when challenged with an infusion of lactate, much like people with panic disorder. Other macaques do not exhibit this response. NIMH-supported scientists are attempting to determine how the brains of the responsive and non-responsive monkeys differ. This research should provide additional information on the causes of panic disorder.
In addition, research with rats is exploring the effect of various medications on the parts of the brain involved in anxiety. The aim is to develop a clearer picture of which components of the brain are responsible for anxiety, and to learn how their actions can be brought under better control.
Cognitive Factors: Scientists are investigating the basic thought processes and emotions that come into play during a panic attack and those that contribute to the development and persistence of agoraphobia. The Institute also supports research evaluating the impact of various versions of cognitive-behavioral therapy to determine which variants of the procedure are effective for which people. The NIMH panic disorder research program will also explore the effects of interpersonal stress such as marital conflict on panic disorder with agoraphobia and determine if including spouses in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of the condition improves outcome.
References:
http://anxiety.psy.ohio-state.edu/PanicDisorder.htm
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/p/panic_disorder/basics.htm (http://anxiety.psy.ohio-state.edu/PanicDisorder.htm)
In next thread, I will try to put the symptoms of panic disorder along with more relevant information. It would be really nice if some members come forward with more information or tell us some real story that may have occurred in theirs life's by posting here.
Cheers,
Minxy
What is Panic disorder
Panic disorder is a very interesting disorder. Just like we know diamond cuts diamond, taking the same cue, people with panic disorder suffer from a "fear of fear." These individuals suffer from panic attacks-- an intense feelings of terror that strike suddenly and are potentially incapacitating. These panic attacks are totally guess work, meaning that they come on with no warning signals, and thus individuals with panic disorder never know when they might suffer from an attack. In between attacks there is often an intense and lingering anxiety about the risk of having another attack. Often the fear of having another attack can lead an individual to avoid activities and restrict behaviors, leading to agoraphobic symptoms.(I will try to put information about Agoraphobia soon here). In some cases individuals can only perform certain activities in the presence of a "safe person" who they can trust and who can assist them in case of an attack. In just not for keeping them safe during an attack but some are even unable to work, and they may need to rely heavily on other family members, who must do the shopping and run all the household errands, as well as accompany the affected person on rare excursions outside the "safety zone." Thus the person with Panic disorder typically leads a life of extreme dependency as well as great discomfort.
People with panic disorder faces many complications in their life's like;
Social problems or exclusion
Isolation work problems
Alcohoal abuse
Drug abuse
Agoraphobia
Some facts about Panic disorder
Panic disorder is also known by some people as Panic attack. Further, Panic disorder is divided into two subtypes; Agorophobia with out panic disorder and Agoraphobia with panic disorder. Panic disorder is very different from everyday anxiety. Most frequently, it starts in young adulthood. Usually, it does not go away by itself. Many people with panic disorder develop intense anxiety between episodes. But with proper treatment, people with panic disorder can be helped and cured. The fact as the below provided references writes, proper treatment reduces or completely prevents panic attacks in 70 to 90 percent of people. Many people feel substantial relief in just weeks or months
Some statistics for Panic disorder
In USA, Panic disorder is prevalent in almost 1 in 113 and is incident in almost 1 in 65. Prevalence of panic disorder usually means the estimated population of people who are managing Panic disorder at any given time (i.e. people with Panic disorder). The term 'incidence' of Panic disorder means the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of Panic disorder diagnosed each year (i.e. getting Panic disorder). Hence, these two statistics types can differ: a short disease like flu can have high annual incidence but low prevalence, but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence. In UK, panic prder prevalence rate is about 500, 000 and incidence rates is about 1 million. For more information and region wsie statistics, one can check:
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/p/panic_disorder/stats-country.htm
What causes Panic disorders
Like other anxiety disorders, panic disorder may stem from a combination of physical and psychological factors. For example, some theorists emphasize the role of stressful events or unconscious conflicts that occur early in childhood. Recent evidence indicates that alterations in brain biochemistry, especially in norepinephrine, serotonin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid activity, may also contribute to panic disorder. Evidence implicates hereditary and temporal lobe dysfunction, and some theorists emphasize the role of stressful events or unconscious conflicts that occur early in childhood. The disorder may also develop as a persistent pattern of maladaptive behavior acquired by learning. Studies in animals and humans have focused on pinpointing the specific brain areas and circuits involved in anxiety and fear, which underlie anxiety disorders such as panic disorder. Fear, an emotion that evolved to deal with danger, causes an automatic, rapid protective response that occurs without the need for conscious thought. It has been found that the body's fear response is coordinated by a small structure deep inside the brain, called the amygdala. he amygdala, although relatively small, is a very complicated structure, and recent research suggests that anxiety disorders may be associated with abnormal activitation in the amygdala. One aim of research is to use such basic scientific knowledge to develop new therapies.
Some of the common reasons for its occurrences
Genetics: Panic disorder runs in families. One study has shown that if one twin in a genetically identical pair has panic disorder, it is likely that the other twin will also. Fraternal, or non-identical twin pairs do not show this high degree of "concordance" with respect to panic disorder. Thus, it appears that some genetic factor, in combination with environment, may be responsible for vulnerability to this condition.
Brain and Biochemical Abnormalities. One line of evidence suggests that panic disorder may be associated with increased activity in the hippocampus and locus coeruleus, portions of the brain that monitor external and internal stimuli and control the brain's responses to them. Also, it has been shown that panic disorder patients have increased activity in a portion of the nervous system called the adrenergic system, which regulates such physiological functions as heart rate and body temperature. However, it is not clear whether these increases reflect the anxiety symptoms or whether they cause them.
Another group of studies suggests that people with panic disorder may have abnormalities in their benzodiazepine receptors, brain components that react with anxiety-reducing substances within the brain.
In conducting their research, scientists can use several different techniques to provoke panic attacks in people who have panic disorder. The best known method is intravenous administration of sodium lactate, the same chemical that normally builds up in the muscles during heavy exercise. Other substances that can trigger panic attacks in susceptible people include caffeine (generally 5 or more cups of coffee are required). Hyperventilation and breathing air with a higher-than-usual level of carbon dioxide can also trigger panic attacks in people with panic disorder.
Because these provocations generally do not trigger panic attacks in people who do not have panic disorder, scientists have inferred that individuals who have panic disorder are biologically different in some way from people who do not. However, it is also true that when the people prone to panic attacks are told in advance about the sensations these provocations will cause, they are much less likely to panic. This suggests that there is a strong psychological component, as well as a biological one, to panic disorder.
Animal Studies : One series of studies involves an inbred line of pointer dogs that exhibit extreme, abnormal fearfulness when approached by humans or startled by loud noises. In contrast with normal pointers, these nervous dogs have been found to react more strongly to caffeine and to have brain tissue that is richer in receptors for adenosine, a naturally occurring sedative that normally exerts a calming effect within the brain. Further study of these animals is expected to reveal how a genetic predisposition toward anxiety is expressed in the brain.
Other animal studies involve macaque monkeys. Some of these animals exhibit anxiety when challenged with an infusion of lactate, much like people with panic disorder. Other macaques do not exhibit this response. NIMH-supported scientists are attempting to determine how the brains of the responsive and non-responsive monkeys differ. This research should provide additional information on the causes of panic disorder.
In addition, research with rats is exploring the effect of various medications on the parts of the brain involved in anxiety. The aim is to develop a clearer picture of which components of the brain are responsible for anxiety, and to learn how their actions can be brought under better control.
Cognitive Factors: Scientists are investigating the basic thought processes and emotions that come into play during a panic attack and those that contribute to the development and persistence of agoraphobia. The Institute also supports research evaluating the impact of various versions of cognitive-behavioral therapy to determine which variants of the procedure are effective for which people. The NIMH panic disorder research program will also explore the effects of interpersonal stress such as marital conflict on panic disorder with agoraphobia and determine if including spouses in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of the condition improves outcome.
References:
http://anxiety.psy.ohio-state.edu/PanicDisorder.htm
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/p/panic_disorder/basics.htm (http://anxiety.psy.ohio-state.edu/PanicDisorder.htm)
In next thread, I will try to put the symptoms of panic disorder along with more relevant information. It would be really nice if some members come forward with more information or tell us some real story that may have occurred in theirs life's by posting here.
Cheers,
Minxy