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- This is a psychiatric disorder in which there is unexpected onset of fear or Anxiety about having a panic attack. The attacks lasts at least 10 minutes, and involve 4 or more of the following symptoms:
- A racing or pounding heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or tremors
- A feeling of having shortness of breath
- A tightness in the throat or a feeling of choking
- Chest pain, pressure or tightness over the chest area.
- Nausea and abdominal discomfort
- Derealization, depersonalization
- Lightheadedness, fainting or dizziness
- Muscle aches (trapezius muscle)
- Heart Burn (may lead to sinusitis and aspiration)
- Fear of loss of control
- Fear of going crazy
- Fear of dying
- Hot flashes
- Feeling anxious
- Feeling stressed
- Feeling depressed
- Numbness or tingling sensation felt under the skin
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- See above
- Spontaneous-i.e., without apparent cause, unexpectedly, during sleep, or when one is relaxed
- Can be associated with other conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, social Anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder
- May only occur during certain Anxiety producing situations
- The symptoms must be present for period more than two weeks, and be accompanied by constant fear of future attacks.
- May last for days or weeks (status panicus)
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- Panic attack is not easily diagnosed and the patient often has to go to many different doctors with a variety of symptoms before a doctor recognizes the disorder.
- A psychiatrist and Psychologist best make diagnosis and treatment.
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- Proper management may involve both behavioral and medical therapy.
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- There may be increase risk of addiction, Depression, social and family problems, other personality disorders, heart attacks, High Blood Pressure, and Stroke in those with panic disorders.
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