panic disorder (redirected from Panic disorders)

Panic Disorder 

Definition

A panic attack is a sudden, intense experience of fear coupled with an overwhelming feeling of danger, accompanied by physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a pounding heart, sweating, and rapid breathing. A person with panic disorder may have repeated panic attacks (at least several a month) and feel severe anxiety about having another attack.

Description

Each year, panic disorder affects one out of 63 Americans. While many people experience moments of anxiety, panic attacks are sudden and unprovoked, having little to do with real danger.

Panic disorder is a chronic, debilitating condition that can have a devastating impact on a person's family, work, and social life. Typically, the first attack strikes without warning. A person might be walking down the street, driving a car, or riding an escalator when suddenly panic strikes. Pounding heart, sweating palms, and an overwhelming feeling of impending doom are common features. While the attack may last only seconds or minutes, the experience can be profoundly disturbing. A person who has had one panic attack typically worries that another one may occur at any time.

As the fear of future panic attacks deepens, the person begins to avoid situations in which panic occurred in the past. In severe cases of panic disorder, the victim refuses to leave the house for fear of having a panic attack. This fear of being in exposed places is often called agoraphobia.

People with untreated panic disorder may have problems getting to work or staying on the job. As the person's world narrows, untreated panic disorder can lead to depression, substance abuse, and in rare instances, suicide.

Causes and symptoms

Scientists are not sure what causes panic disorder, but they suspect the tendency to develop the condition can be inherited. Some experts think that people with panic disorder may have a hypersensitive nervous system that unnecessarily responds to nonexistent threats. Research suggests that people with panic disorder may not be able to make proper use of their body's normal stress-reducing chemicals.

People with panic disorder usually have their first panic attack in their 20s. Four or more of the following symptoms during panic attacks would indicate panic disorder if no medical, drug-related, neurologic, or other psychiatric disorder is found:

• pounding, skipping or palpitating heartbeat
• shortness of breath or the sensation of smothering
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• nausea or stomach problems
• chest pains or pressure
• choking sensation or a "lump in the throat"
• chills or hot flashes
• sweating
• fear of dying
• feelings of unreality or being detached
• tingling or numbness
• shaking and trembling
• fear of losing control or going crazy

A panic attack is often accompanied by the urge to escape, together with a feeling of certainty that death is imminent. Others are convinced they are about to have a heart attack, suffocate, lose control, or "go crazy." Once people experience a panic attack, they tend to worry so much about having another attack that they avoid the place or situation associated with the original episode.

Diagnosis

Because its physical symptoms are easily confused with other conditions, panic disorder often goes undiagnosed. A thorough physical examination is needed to rule out a medical condition. Because the physical symptoms are so pronounced and frightening, panic attacks can be mistaken for a heart problem. Some people experiencing a panic attack go to an emergency room and endure batteries of tests until a diagnosis is made.

Once a medical condition is ruled out, a mental health professional is the best person to diagnose panic attack and panic disorder, taking into account not just the actual episodes, but how the patient feels about the attacks, and how they affect everyday life.

Most health insurance policies include some limited amount of mental health coverage, although few completely cover outpatient mental health care.

Treatment

Most patients with panic disorder respond best to a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy usually runs from 12-15 sessions. It teaches patients:

• how to identify and alter thought patterns so as not to misconstrue bodily sensations, events, or situations as catastrophic
• how to prepare for the situations and physical symptoms that trigger a panic attack
• how to identify and change unrealistic self-talk (such as "I'm going to die!") that can worsen a panic attack
• how to calm down and learn breathing exercises to counteract the physical symptoms of panic
• how to gradually confront the frightening situation step by step until it becomes less terrifying
• how to "desensitize" themselves to their own physical sensations, such as rapid heart rate

At the same time, many people find that medications can help reduce or prevent panic attacks by changing the way certain chemicals interact in the brain. People with panic disorder usually notice whether or not the drug is effective within two months, but most people take medication for at least six months to a year.

Several kinds of drugs can reduce or prevent panic attacks, including:

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants like paroxetine (Paxil) or fluoxetine (Prozac), are approved specifically for the treatment of panic
• tricyclic antidepressants such as clomipramine (Anafranil)
• benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin)

Finally, patients can make certain lifestyle changes to help keep panic at bay, such as eliminating caffeine and alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, and marijuana.

Alternative treatment

One approach used in several medical centers focuses on teaching patients how to accept their fear instead of dreading it. In this method, the therapist repeatedly stimulates a person's body sensations (such as a pounding heartbeat) that can trigger fear. Eventually, the patient gets used to these sensations and learns not to be afraid of them. Patients who respond report almost complete absence of panic attacks.

A variety of other atlernative therapies may be helpful in treating panic attacks. Neurolinguistic programming and hypnotherapy can be beneificial, since these techniques can help bring an awareness of the root cause of the attacks to the conscious mind. Herbal remedies, including lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), oat straw (Avena sativa), passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), and skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), may help significantly by strengthening the nervous system. Homeopathic medicine, nutritional supplementation (especially with B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidant vitamins), creative visualization, guided imagery, and relaxation techniques may help some people experiencing panic attacks. Hydrotherapies, especially hot epsom salt baths or baths with essential oil of lavender (Lavandula officinalis), can help patients relax.

Prognosis

While there may be occasional periods of improvement, the episodes of panic rarely disappear on their own. Fortunately, panic disorder responds very well to treatment; panic attacks decrease in up to 90% of people after 6-8 weeks of a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication.

Unfortunately, many people with panic disorder never get the help they need. If untreated, panic disorder can last for years and may become so severe that a normal life is impossible. Many people who struggle with untreated panic disorder and try to hide their symptoms end up losing their friends, family, and jobs.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent the initial onset of panic attacks. Antidepressant drugs or benzodiazepines can prevent future panic attacks, especially when combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy. There is some suggestion that avoiding stimulants (including caffeine, alcohol, or over-the-counter cold medicines) may help prevent attacks as well.

Resources

Organizations

American Psychiatric Association. 1400 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005. (888) 357-7924. http://www.psych.org.

Anxiety Disorders Association of America. 11900 Park Lawn Drive, Ste. 100, Rockville, MD 20852. (800) 545-7367. http://www.adaa.org.

Freedom From Fear. 308 Seaview Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305. (718) 351-1717.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Colonial Place Three, 2107 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 300, Arlington, VA 22201-3042. (800) 950-6264. http://www.nami.org.

National Anxiety Foundation. 3135 Custer Dr., Lexington, KY 40517. (606) 272-7166. http://www.lexington-online.com/naf.html.

National Institute of Mental Health, Panic Campaign. Rm 15C-05, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. (800) 647-2642. http://www.nimh.nih.gov.

National Mental Health Association. 1021 Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314. (703) 684-7722. http://www.nmha.org.

Other

The Anxiety and Panic Internet Resource. http://www.algy.com/anxiety.

Anxiety Network Page. http://www.anxietynetwork.com.

National Institute of Mental Health Page. http://www.nimh.nih.gov.

"Panic Disorder." Internet Mental Health Page. http://www.mentalhealth.com.

Key terms

Agoraphobia — Fear of open spaces.

Benzodiazepines — A class of drugs that have a hypnotic and sedative action, used mainly as tranquilizers to control symptoms of anxiety or panic.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy — A type of psychotherapy used to treat anxiety disorders (including panic disorder) that emphasizes behavioral change together with alteration of negative thought patterns.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — A class of antidepressants used to treat panic that affects mood by boosting the levels of the brain chemical serotonin.

Tricyclic antidepressants — A class of antidepressants named for their three-ring structure that increase the levels of serotonin and other brain chemicals. They are used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, but have more side effects than the newer class of antidepressants called SSRIs.

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disorder /dis·or·der/ (dis-or´der) a derangement or abnormality of function; a morbid physical or mental state.

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acute stress disorder  an anxiety disorder characterized by development of anxiety, dissociative, and other symptoms within one month following exposure to an extremely traumatic event. If persistent, it may become posttraumatic stress disorder.

adjustment disorder  maladaptive reaction to identifiable stress (e.g., divorce, illness), which is assumed to remit when the stress ceases or when the patient adapts.

affective disorders  mood d's.

amnestic disorders  mental disorders characterized by acquired impairment in the ability to learn and recall new information, sometimes accompanied by inability to recall previously learned information.

anxiety disorders  mental disorders in which anxiety and avoidance behavior predominate, i.e., panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, specific phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and substance-induced anxiety disorder.

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder  a controversial childhood mental disorder with onset before age seven, and characterized by inattention (e.g., distractibility, forgetfulness, not appearing to listen), by hyperactivity and impulsivity (e.g., restlessness, excessive running or climbing, excessive talking, and other disruptive behavior), or by a combination of both types of behavior.

autistic disorder  autism; a severe pervasive developmental disorder with onset usually before three years of age and a biological basis; it is characterized by qualitative impairment in reciprocal social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and capacity for symbolic play, by restricted and unusual repertoire of activities and interests, and often by cognitive impairment.

behavior disorder  conduct d.

binge-eating disorder  an eating disorder characterized by repeated episodes of binge eating, as in bulimia nervosa, but not followed by inappropriate compensatory behavior such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercise.

bipolar disorders  mood disorders with a history of manic, mixed, or hypomanic episodes, usually with present or previous history of one or more major depressive episodes; included are bipolar I d., characterized by one or more manic or mixed episodes, bipolar II d., characterized by one or more hypomanic episodes but no manic episodes, and cyclothymic disorder. The term is sometimes used in the singular to denote either bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, or both.

body dysmorphic disorder  a somatoform disorder characterized by a normal-looking person's preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance.

breathing-related sleep disorder  any of several disorders characterized by sleep disruption due to some sleep-related breathing problem, resulting in excessive sleepiness or insomnia.

brief psychotic disorder  an episode of psychotic symptoms with sudden onset, lasting less than one month.

catatonic disorder  catatonia due to the physiological effects of a general medical condition and neither better accounted for by another mental disorder nor occurring exclusively during delirium.

character disorders  personality d's.

childhood disintegrative disorder  pervasive developmental disorder characterized by marked regression in various developmental skills, including language, play, and social and motor skills, after two to ten years of initial normal development.

circadian rhythm sleep disorder  a lack of synchrony between the schedule of sleeping and waking required by the external environment and that of a person's own circadian rhythm.

collagen disorder  an inborn error of metabolism involving abnormal structure or metabolism of collagen, e.g., Marfan syndrome, cutis laxa. Cf. collagen disease.

communication disorders  mental disorders characterized by difficulties with speech or language, severe enough to interfere academically, occupationally, or socially.

conduct disorder  a type of disruptive behavior disorder of childhood and adolescence marked by persistent violation of the rights of others or of age-appropriate societal norms or rules.

conversion disorder  a somatoform disorder characterized by conversion symptoms (loss or alteration of voluntary motor or sensory functioning suggesting physical illness) with no physiological basis and not produced intentionally or feigned; a psychological basis is suggested by exacerbation of symptoms during psychological stress, relief from tension (primary gain), or gain of outside support or attention (secondary gains).

cyclothymic disorder  a mood disorder characterized by alternating cycles of hypomanic and depressive periods with symptoms like those of manic and major depressive episodes but of lesser severity.

delusional disorder  a mental disorder marked by well-organized, logically consistent delusions of grandeur, persecution, or jealousy, with no other psychotic feature. There are six types: persecutory, jealous, erotomanic, somatic, grandiose, and mixed.

depersonalization disorder  a dissociative disorder characterized by intense, prolonged, or otherwise troubling feelings of detachment from one's body or thoughts, not secondary to another mental disorder.

depressive disorders  mood disorders in which depression is unaccompanied by manic or hypomanic episodes.

developmental coordination disorder  problematic or delayed development of gross and fine motor coordination skills, not due to a neurological disorder or to general mental retardation, resulting in the appearance of clumsiness.

disruptive behavior disorders  a group of mental disorders of children and adolescents consisting of behavior that violates social norms and is disruptive.

dissociative disorders  mental disorders characterized by sudden, temporary alterations in identity, memory, or consciousness, segregating normally integrated parts of one's personality from one's dominant identity.

dissociative identity disorder  a dissociative disorder characterized by the existence in an individual of two or more distinct personalities, with at least two of the personalities controlling the patient's behavior in turns. The host personality usually is totally unaware of the alternate personalities; alternate personalities may or may not have awareness of the others.

dream anxiety disorder  nightmare d.

dysthymic disorder  a mood disorder characterized by depressed feeling, loss of interest or pleasure in one's usual activities, and other symptoms typical of depression but tending to be longer in duration and less severe than in major depressive disorder.

eating disorder  abnormal feeding habits associated with psychological factors, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, pica, and rumination disorder.

expressive language disorder  a communication disorder occurring in children and characterized by problems with the expression of language, either oral or signed.

factitious disorder  a mental disorder characterized by repeated, intentional simulation of physical or psychological signs and symptoms of illness for no apparent purpose other than obtaining treatment.

factitious disorder by proxy  a form of factitious disorder in which one person (usually a mother) intentionally fabricates or induces physical (Munchausen syndrome by proxy) or psychological disorders in another person under their care (usually their child) and subjects that person to needless diagnostic procedures or treatment, without any external incentives for the behavior.

female orgasmic disorder  consistently delayed or absent orgasm in a female, even after a normal phase of sexual excitement and adequate stimulation.

female sexual arousal disorder  a sexual dysfunction involving failure by a female either to attain or maintain lubrication and swelling during sexual activity, after adequate stimulation.

functional disorder  a disorder of physiological function having no known organic basis.

gender identity disorder  a disturbance of gender identification in which the affected person has an overwhelming desire to change their anatomic sex or insists that they are of the opposite sex, with persistent discomfort about their assigned sex or about filling its usual gender role.

generalized anxiety disorder  (GAD) an anxiety disorder characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about two or more life circumstances for six months or more.

hypoactive sexual desire disorder  a sexual dysfunction consisting of persistently or recurrently low level or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity.

impulse control disorders  a group of mental disorders characterized by repeated failure to resist an impulse to perform some act harmful to oneself or to others.

induced psychotic disorder  shared psychotic d.

intermittent explosive disorder  an impulse control disorder characterized by multiple discrete episodes of loss of control of aggressive impulses resulting in serious assault or destruction of property that are out of proportion to any precipitating stressors.

learning disorders  a group of disorders characterized by academic functioning that is substantially below the level expected on the basis of the patient's age, intelligence, and education.

lymphoproliferative disorders  a group of malignant neoplasms arising from cells related to the common multipotential lymphoreticular cell, including lymphocytic, histiocytic, and monocytic leukemias, multiple myeloma, plasmacytoma, and Hodgkin's disease.

lymphoreticular disorders  a group of disorders of the lymphoreticular system, characterized by the proliferation of lymphocytes or lymphoid tissues.

major depressive disorder  a mood disorder characterized by the occurrence of one or more major depressive episodes and the absence of any history of manic, mixed, or hypomanic episodes.

male erectile disorder  a sexual dysfunction involving failure by a male to attain or maintain an adequate erection until completion of sexual relations.

male orgasmic disorder  consistently delayed or absent orgasm in a male, even after a normal phase of sexual excitement and stimulation adequate for his age.

manic-depressive disorder  former name for a mood disorder now known as bipolar I d. or bipolar II d. and often called bipolar d. (q.v.).

mendelian disorder  a genetic disease showing a mendelian pattern of inheritance, caused by a single mutation in the structure of DNA, which causes a single basic defect with pathologic consequences.

mental disorder  any clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome characterized by the presence of distressing symptoms, impairment of functioning, or significantly increased risk of suffering death, pain, or other disability.

minor depressive disorder  a mood disorder closely resembling major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder but intermediate in severity between the two.

mixed receptive-expressive language disorder  a communication disorder involving both the expression and the comprehension of language, either spoken or signed.

monogenic disorder  mendelian d.

mood disorders  mental disorders characterized by disturbances of mood manifested as one or more episodes of mania, hypomania, depression, or some combination, the two main subcategories being bipolar disorders and depressive disorders.

motor skills disorder  any disorder characterized by inadequate development of motor coordination severe enough to restrict locomotion or the ability to perform tasks, schoolwork, or other activities.

multifactorial disorder  one caused by the interaction of genetic and sometimes also nongenetic, environmental factors, e.g., diabetes mellitus.

multiple personality disorder  dissociative identity d.

myeloproliferative disorders  a group of usually neoplastic diseases possibly related histogenetically, including granulocytic leukemias, myelomonocytic leukemias, polycythemia vera, and myelofibroerythroleukemia.

neurotic disorder  neurosis.

nightmare disorder  repeated episodes of nightmares that awaken the sleeper, with full orientation and alertness and vivid recall of the dreams.

obsessive-compulsive disorder  (OCD) an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent obsessions or compulsions, which are severe enough to interfere significantly with personal or social functioning. Cf. obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, under personality .

obsessive-compulsive personality disorder  see under personality.

oppositional defiant disorder  a type of disruptive behavior disorder characterized by a recurrent pattern of defiant, hostile, disobedient, and negativistic behavior directed toward those in authority.

organic mental disorder  a term formerly used to denote any mental disorder with a specifically known or presumed organic etiology. It was sometimes used synonymously with organic mental syndrome.

orgasmic disorders  sexual dysfunctions characterized by inhibited or premature orgasm; see female orgasmic d., male orgasmic d., and premature ejaculation.

pain disorder  a somatoform disorder characterized by a chief complaint of severe chronic pain which is neither feigned nor intentionally produced, but in which psychological factors appear to play a major role in onset, severity, exacerbation, or maintenance.

panic disorder  an anxiety disorder characterized by attacks of panic (anxiety), fear, or terror, by feelings of unreality, or by fears of dying, or losing control, together with somatic signs such as dyspnea, choking, palpitations, dizziness, vertigo, flushing or pallor, and sweating. It may occur with or, rarely, without agoraphobia.

paranoid disorder  older term for delusional d.

personality disorders  a category of mental disorders characterized by enduring, inflexible, and maladaptive personality traits that deviate markedly from cultural expectations and either generate subjective distress or significantly impair functioning. For specific disorders, see under personality.

pervasive developmental disorders  disorders in which there is impaired development in multiple areas, including reciprocal social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communications, and imaginative activity, as in autistic disorder.

phagocytic dysfunction disorders  a group of immunodeficiency conditions characterized by disordered phagocytic activity, occurring as both extrinsic and intrinsic types. Bacterial or fungal infections may range from mild skin infection to fatal systemic infection.

phobic disorders  see phobia.

phonological disorder  a communication disorder characterized by failure to use age- and dialect-appropriate sounds in speaking, with errors occurring in the selection, production, or articulation of sounds.

plasma cell disorders  see under dyscrasia.

postconcussional disorder  see under syndrome.

posttraumatic stress disorder  (PTSD) an anxiety disorder caused by an intensely traumatic event, characterized by mentally reexperiencing the trauma, avoidance of trauma-associated stimuli, numbing of emotional responsiveness, and hyperalertness and difficulty in sleeping, remembering, or concentrating.

premenstrual dysphoric disorder  premenstrual syndrome viewed as a psychiatric disorder.

psychoactive substance use disorders  substance use d's.

psychosomatic disorder  one in which the physical symptoms are caused or exacerbated by psychological factors, as in migraine headaches, lower back pain, or irritable bowel syndrome.

psychotic disorder  psychosis.

reactive attachment disorder  a mental disorder of infancy or early childhood characterized by notably unusual and developmentally inappropriate social relatedness, usually associated with grossly pathological care.

rumination disorder  excessive rumination of food by infants, after a period of normal eating habits, potentially leading to death by malnutrition.

schizoaffective disorder  a mental disorder in which symptoms of a mood disorder occur along with prominent psychotic symptoms characteristic of schizophrenia.

schizophreniform disorder  a mental disorder with the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia but of less than six months' duration.

seasonal affective disorder  (SAD) depression with fatigue, lethargy, oversleeping, overeating, and carbohydrate craving recurring cyclically during specific seasons, most commonly the winter months.

separation anxiety disorder  prolonged, developmentally inappropriate, excessive anxiety and distress in a child concerning removal from parents, home, or familiar surroundings.

sexual disorders 

1. any disorders involving sexual functioning, desire, or performance.

2. specifically, any such disorder that is caused at least in part by psychological factors; divided into sexual dysfunctions and paraphilias.

sexual arousal disorders  sexual dysfunctions characterized by alterations in sexual arousal; see female sexual arousal d. and male erectile d.

sexual aversion disorder  feelings of repugnance for and active avoidance of genital sexual contact with a partner, causing substantial distress or interpersonal difficulty.

sexual desire disorders  sexual dysfunctions characterized by alteration in sexual desire; see hypoactive sexual desire d. and sexual aversion d.

sexual pain disorders  sexual dysfunctions characterized by pain associated with intercourse; it includes dyspareunia and vaginismus not due to a general medical condition.

shared psychotic disorder  a delusional system that develops in one or more persons as a result of a close relationship with someone who already has a psychotic disorder with prominent delusions.

sleep disorders  chronic disorders involving sleep, either primary (dyssomnias, parasomnias) or secondary to factors including a general medical condition, mental disorder, or substance use.

sleep terror disorder  a sleep disorder of repeated episodes of pavor nocturnus.

sleepwalking disorder  a sleep disorder of the parasomnia group, consisting of repeated episodes of somnambulism.

social anxiety disorder  social phobia.

somatization disorder  a somatoform disorder characterized by multiple somatic complaints, including a combination of pain, gastrointestinal, sexual, and neurological symptoms, and not fully explainable by any known general medical condition or the direct effect of a substance, but not intentionally feigned or produced.

somatoform disorders  mental disorders characterized by symptoms suggesting physical disorders of psychogenic origin but not under voluntary control, e.g., body dysmorphic disorder, conversion disorder, hypochondriasis, pain disorder, somatization disorder, and undifferentiated somatoform disorder.

somatoform pain disorder  pain d.

speech disorder  defective ability to speak; it may be either psychogenic (see communication d. ) or neurogenic. See also aphasia, aphonia, dysphasia, and dysphonia.

stereotypic movement disorder  a mental disorder characterized by repetitive nonfunctional motor behavior that often appears to be driven and can result in serious self-inflicted injuries.

substance-induced disorders  a subgroup of the substance-related disorders comprising a variety of behavioral or psychological anomalies resulting from ingestion of or exposure to a drug of abuse, medication, or toxin. Cf. substance use d's.

substance-related disorders  any of the mental disorders associated with excessive use of or exposure to psychoactive substances, including drugs of abuse, medications, and toxins. The group is divided into substance use d's and substance-induced d's .

substance use disorders  a subgroup of the substance-related disorders, in which psychoactive substance use or abuse repeatedly results in significantly adverse consequences. The group comprises substance abuse and substance dependence.

undifferentiated somatoform disorder  one or more physical complaints, not intentionally produced or feigned and persisting for at least six months, that cannot be fully explained by a general medical condition or the direct effects of a substance.

unipolar disorders  depressive d's.

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panic disorder

n.

An anxiety disorder characterized by the occurrence of intense episodes of extreme anxiety and accompanying symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating, and dizziness.

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panic disorder.

See anxiety attack.

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disorder(s),

n derangement of function.

disorder, bipolar,

n a major mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of mania or elation and depression. Formerly called
manic-depressive disorder.

disorder, body dysmorphic (BBD)

(dismôr´fik),
n a mental disorder in which an otherwise physiologically healthy person obsesses about an imaginary physical defect.

disorder(s), coagulation,

n any one of the hemorrhagic diseases caused by a deficiency of plasma thromboplastin formation (deficiency of antihemophilic factor, plasma thromboplastic antecedent, Hageman factor, Stuart factor), deficiency of thrombin formation (deficiency of prothrombin, factor V, factor VII, Stuart factor), and deficiency of fibrin formation (afibrinogenemia, fibrinogenopenia).

disorder, conversion,

n uncontrolled change or loss of control of physical function due to a mental, not physical, need or conflict.

disorder, cumulative trauma,

n a disorder of the musculature and skeleton after repetitive strain injuries to muscles, tendons, joints, bones, and nerves.

disorder, panic,

n a disorder marked by repeated panic attacks and fear, which interrupts normal functioning.

disorder(s), periodic,

n.pl a variety of disorders of unknown cause that have in common periodic recurrence of manifestations. Such disorders are usually benign, resist treatment, often begin in infancy, and occasionally have a hereditary pattern. Included are periodic sialorrhea, neutropenia, arthralgia, fever, purpura (anaphylactoid purpura), edema (angioneurotic edema), abdominalgia, and periodic parotitis (recurrent parotitis).

disorder, pervasive developmental,

n a disorder of behavioral and sensory impairment that generally appears during infancy or early childhood and continues to affect the individual's ability to communicate and interact with others throughout his or her life. See also autism.

disorder(s), platelet,

n.pl a hemorrhagic disease caused by an abnormality of the blood platelets (e.g., thrombocytopenia, thrombasthenia).

disorder, posttraumatic stress,

n a condition characterized by acute or recurring anxiety which has been brought about as the result of experiencing a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, automobile accident, terrorist attack, military combat, rape, physical torture, or childhood sexual abuse. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, mild to severe depression, and panic attacks.

disorder(s), psychophysiologic, autonomic, and visceral,

n the standard psychiatric nomenclature for what are commonly known as psychomotor disorders. The disorders are disturbances of visceral function, secondary to chronic attitude and long-continued reaction to stress. These disorders may occur in any organ innervated by the autonomic nervous system, since overactivity or underactivity of that system as a result of stress appears to trigger the disorder. See also disease, psychosomatic.

disorder(s), visual,

n.pl disorders that may result from injury or disease to the eyeball and its adnexa, the retina, or the cornea (e.g., contusions of the orbit and eyelids, opacities of the lens, corneal scars, vascular changes to the retina). These peripheral disorders are effective in causing partial or total loss of vision in one or both eyes. They are simple, concrete, and fundamental. One sees or one does not see, and gray visions are generally quantitative differences that affect the perception of light and shadow and color and form. They may also result from injury or disease to the optic tract fibers, optic chiasma, cerebral pathways, and visual cortex in the occipital region of the cerebrum. These are qualitative deviations from normal, and the symptoms include visual field defects such as tubular vision found in hysteria, complete blindness in one or both eyes as a result of optic nerve injury, and hemianopsia, in which vision may be lost in one half of the visual field of one or both eyes. Others include night and day blindness, color blindness, and the serious visual agnosia that results from trauma, tumor, or vascular disorders in the visual cortex of the cerebrum.

disorder(s), cognitive impairment,

n.pl the mental disorders distinguished by a limitation of mental functions (e.g., memory, comprehension, and judgment).

disorder(s), dissociative,

n.pl the mental disorders distinguished by the psychologically induced, distinct partition of separate mental functions from normal behavior or consciousness (e.g., dissociative amnesia and depersonalization disorder).

disorder(s), factitious

(faktish´s),
n.pl the mental disorders distinguished by the self-induced creation of artificial physical or mental symptoms to assume the role of a sick individual.

disorder(s), feeding,

n.pl conditions distinguished by an inability to eat sufficiently, a continual need to consume abnormal items of food or substances lacking nutrients, or frequent vomiting episodes without any indications of a gastrointestinal infection.

disorder(s), impulse control,

n.pl the mental disorders distinguished by an uncontrollable tendency to commit an unplanned behavior (e.g., pathologic gambling, kleptomania, and pyromania).

disorder(s), sexual,

n.pl disorders of sexual performance or desire, which may include sexual dysfunction, feelings of discomfort about one's gender, and perverse sexual urges or activities. Also called paraphilia.

disorder(s), sleep,

n.pl conditions characterized by a disruption in normal sleeping patterns, which may be the result of serious medical conditions, including breathing difficulties or thyroid disorders, or external factors such as stress or substance abuse. Manifestations include insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy.

disorder(s), somatoform

n.pl disorders characterized by symptoms that seem to suggest the presence of an illness, but for which there is no physical proof. Often may be attributed to unresolved emotional conflicts. Types include conversion disorder, hypochondriasis, body dysmorphic disorder, and pain disorder.

disorder(s), substance-related,

n.pl conditions or illnesses that may be directly attributed to overuse of drugs, alcohol, nicotine, or caffeine and may also include nutritional deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, oral lesions, liver disease, and sleep disorders.

disorder(s), tic,

n.pl conditions characterized by involuntary and sometimes violent muscle spasms, including Tourette's syndrome and chronic motor or vocal tic disorders.

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panic disorder

Atypical depression, polysystemic dysautonomia Psychiatry An idiopathic psychogenic complex affecting 1.5% of US, characterized by recurrent and unpredictable episodes–panic attacks of sudden, extreme apprehension, fear, autonomic nervous system hyperactivity Clinical Dyspnea, palpitations, chest pain, choking sensation, tachycardia, vertigo, loss of reality sense, paresthesias, hot/cold flashes, sweating, faintness, trembling, a fear of dying or of 'going crazy'; fear of an attack in public may cause functional agoraphobia; Pts with PD have an 18-fold ↑ risk of suicidal ideation than a mentally 'fit' population. See Agoraphobia. Cf Panic attack.

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Patient discussion about Panic disorders.

Q. I’ve read somewhere that asthma attacks and panic attacks have similar symptoms. so how can you know tell if what you are experiencing is one or the other?

A. brandon is right, but people who have asthma sometimes panic when they are having an attack because they are affaid,scared.

Q. Is there any herb good for panic attacks that work right away?

A. I am not familiar with any herbs that can solve panic attacks. Panic attack is a medical condtion and if you are experiencing it often you should seek medical care, in order to provide you with proper treatment, either behavioural or with medications. There are good medications out there that can work fast and help you with panic attack symptoms.

Q. Books I have a panic disorder. But I don't like all these web articles. I prefer to read books. What books(that will help me with my problem) do you recommend me? It may be stories or some medical books. Thank you.

A. i heard a lecture from an israeli psychiatrist named prof. Yoram Yovel (i think..) he has a book named "mindstorm". it talks about psychology, psychiatries and neurobiology. i have no idea if there's an english version of it , i was told about it fro an Israeli friend who invited me to the lecture. but if so- i highly recommend! it was a fascinating lecture from a very smart and coherent man!