Sign in

or Register now

AnxietyConnection.com

See all of our health sites at www.HealthCentral.com
Friday, August 29, 2008

Panic disorder with agoraphobia

Panic disorder with agoraphobia
Panic disorder with agoraphobia
Definition

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by repeated and unexpected attacks of intense fear and anxiety.

Panic attacks are usually not related to a particular situation and typically peak within ten minutes of onset. The anxiety experienced by patients with social and specific phobias is usually expected or cued to a recognized stimulus.

Agoraphobia refers to a fear of being in places where escape might be difficult, or where help might be unavailable in case of a panic attack.


Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The exact cause of panic disorder is unknown, but it is associated with many different factors. Panic disorder can occur with or without agoraphobia, but agoraphobia develops in more than a third of cases.

The development of agoraphobia may involve learned behavior, because it reflects a fear of experiencing panic attacks in unprotected settings. Sometimes, panic attacks are associated with the areas where they have happened in the past.

Panic disorder can occur in children, but the average age of onset is 25 years old. Panic disorder affects middle-aged and older adults as well. Studies have shown that women are 2 to 3 times more likely to be affected.



Review Date: 05/08/2006
Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

Answer a Question

i take lexapro 20 mg and i need to convert to effexor, how do i convert?

Answer This View all questions >
Free Newsletter
Get weekly updates, news alerts and more on Anxiety and related health conditions.