Panic disorder

Question 1

What is Agoraphobia

Answer 1

the avoidance of exposed situations for fear of panic or inability to escape.

Agoraphobia is not a stand-alone diagnosis and occurs very rarely without panic disorder

Question 2

Pathophysiology of panic disorder

Answer 2

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor dysfunction is thought to play an important role in panic disorder pathophysiology

Question 3

A panic attack is defined as a

Reel of symptoms of one

Answer 3

discrete episode of intense subjective fear, where at least four of the characteristic symptoms, , arise rapidly and peak within 10 minutes of the onset of the attack

• Palpitations, pounding heart or accelerated heart rate.
• Sweating.
• Trembling or shaking.
• Dry mouth.
• Feeling short of breath, or a sensation of smothering.
• Feeling of choking.
• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Nausea or abdominal distress.
• Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed or faint.
• Derealisation or depersonalisation (feeling detached from oneself).
• Fear of losing control or ‘going crazy’.
• Fear of dying.
• Numbness or tingling sensations.
• Chills or hot flushes.

tends to last 20-30 mins

Question 4

For panic disorder diagnosis

Answer 4

Panic attacks must be associated with >1 month’s duration of subsequent, persisting anxiety about recurrence of the attacks, the consequences of the attacks, or significant behavioural changes associated with them.

Need 4 panic attacks in 4 weeks for diagnosis

Question 5

Management of panic disorder

Answer 5

CBT
SSRI
Self help things