Symptoms & Treatments for Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is defined as episodes of severe fear that may also be accompanied by chest pain, palpitations, abdominal distress and shortness of breath. There are many signs of this disorder.

Physical Symptoms

• The physical symptoms of panic disorder can include weakness, fainting, pounding heart, body temperature changes and nausea.

Emotional Symptoms

• Patients suffering from panic disorder generally feel an overwhelming fear that is inappropriate to a situation. This fear happens suddenly and generally without cause.

Ongoing Problems

• Panic disorder can lead to agoraphobia if left untreated. Agoraphobia is an intense fear of new surroundings or places where a patient may feel trapped. A person with agoraphobia will often refuse to leave his home.

Treatment Options

• Panic disorders are generally treated with a combination of medications such as Zoloft or Paxil and therapy by a qualified psychiatrist.

Prognosis

• With proper treatment, 70 to 90 percent of patients can be relieved of the symptoms of panic disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.