Panic disorder and agoraphobia
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2018
Department/School
Psychology
Publication Title
Principle-Based Stepped Care and Brief Psychotherapy for Integrated Care Settings
Abstract
Panic disorder (PD) is characterized by the presence of recurrent unexpected panic attacks and anxiety about their reoccurrence. Panic attacks can be defined as, “an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes” (p. 208, APA, 2013). These involve a wide range of physiological symptoms, such as increased heart rate, shortness of breath, sweating, chest pain, gastrointestinal distress, dizziness, and numbness. The rapid onset of these symptoms is often accompanied by psychological distress, such as the feeling of “going crazy,” losing control, or dying. In addition to panic attacks, a diagnosis of PD necessitates at least 1 month of anxiety or avoidance about future panic attacks. To cope with this fear, the individual may avoid activities that involve physiological arousal, with the belief that arousal will provoke a full panic episode. For example, the individual may avoid physical exercise because these activities often lead to accelerated heart rate, sweating, and shortness of breath, which may also be experienced during a panic attack. In general, PD is characterized by both recurrent panic attacks and a persistent fear or avoidance of future panic episodes.
Recommended Citation
Koch, E. I., & Fernando, M. A. (2018). Panic disorder and agoraphobia. In A. Maragakis & W. T. O’Donohue (Eds.), Principle-based stepped care and brief psychotherapy for integrated care settings(pp. 303–320). Springer International. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70539-2_27
Comments
E. I. Koch is a faculty member in EMU's Department of Psychology.
*M.A. Fernando is an EMU student.