psychiatric disorders
Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
Introduction
Apanic attackis the sudden onset of a discrete, brief period of intense discomfort, anxiety, or fear accompanied by somatic and/or cognitive symptoms.Panic disorderis the occurrence of repeated panic attacks typically accompanied by fears about future attacks or changes in behavior to avoid situations that might predispose to attacks. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria. Isolated panic attacks may not require treatment. Panic disorder is treated with pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy (eg, exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy), or both. (See also Overview of Anxiety Disorders .) Panic attacks are common, affecting as much as 11% of the population in a single year ( General references ). Most people recover without treatment; some develop panic disorder. Panic disorder affects 2 to 3% of the population in a 12-month period ( General references ). Panic disorder usually begins in late adolescence or early adulthood and affects women about 2 times more often than men. 