Abnormal Psych- LO3- Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder Criteria A

Recurrent unexpected panic attacks. A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, and during which time four (or more) of the following symptoms occur:

Note: The abrupt surge can occur from either a calm or anxious state

Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heartrate

Sweating

Trembling or shaking

Sensations of shortness of breath, or smothering

Feelings of choking

chest pain or discomfort

Nausea or abdominal distress

Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed or faint

Chills or heat sensation

Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)

Derealisation (feelings of unreality) or depersonalisation (feeling detached from oneself)

Fear of losing control or “going crazy”

Fear of dying

Note: cultural specific symptoms like neck soreness, or uncontrollable screaming or crying may also be evident. However, such symptoms should not count as one of the four required.

Panic Disorder Criteria B

At least of the attacks has been followed by 1 month (or more) of one or both of the following:

Persistent concern or worry about additional panic attacks or their consequences (losing control, having a heart attack, or “going crazy”)

a significant maladaptive change in behaviour related to the attacks (eg behaviours designed to avoid having panic attacks (such as avoidance of exercise or unfamiliar situations)

Panic Disorder Criteria C

The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (eg a drug of abuse or medication) or another medical condition (eg hyperthyroidism, cardiopulmonary disorders).

Panic Disorder Criteria D

The disturbance is not better explained by another mental disorder (eg the panic attacks do not only occur in feared social situations as present in social anxiety disorder etc)