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Panic Disorder
Alternate Names : Panic Attacks
DefinitionPanic disorder involves repeated, unpredictable attacks of intense fear accompanied by severe anxiety symptoms in the body that may last from minutes to hours. (See also generalized anxiety disorder.)
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The exact cause of panic disorder is unknown. There is an influence of heredity -- studies suggest that if one identical twin has this disorder, the other will also develop panic disorder 40% of the time. In addition, panic disorder has environmental and learning influences, as it often occurs in family members who are not genetically related to each other, and 60% of identical twins do not share the condition.
Panic disorder occurs twice as often in women as in men. Approximately 2% of the population is affected each year. A person with panic disorder often lives in fear of another attack and may be reluctant to be alone or to be far from medical assistance.
Symptoms usually begin before the age of 25. Although panic disorder can occur in children, it is often not diagnosed until the person is older. People with this condition often undergo medical evaluations for symptoms related to heart attack or other conditions before the diagnosis of panic disorder is made.
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- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD - Pediatric)
- Memory Loss
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Panic Disorder Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Panic Disorder Symptoms & Signs
• Panic Disorder Prevention
• Panic Disorder Diagnosis & Tests
• Panic Disorder Treatment
• Panic Disorder Prognosis
• Panic Disorder Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Heart Attack
Tests & Exams
• Toxicology Screen
Other Topics
• Alcohol Use
• Breathing Difficulty
• Caffeine in the Diet
• Cardiovascular
• Central Nervous System
• Chest Pain
• Dizziness
• Drug Abuse
• Endocrine
• Fainting
• Hand Tremor
• Heartbeat Sensations
• Heimlich Maneuver
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Numbness and Tingling
• Physical Examination
• Respiratory
• Stimulants
• Stress and Anxiety
• Sweating - Excessive
Review Date : 11/4/2002
Reviewed By : Brad Deal, M.D., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami, Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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