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Panic Disorder |
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Panic disorder
is an anxiety
disorder
characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by
physical symptoms that may include
chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath,
dizziness, or abdominal distress. These sensations often mimic symptoms of a
heart attack or other life-threatening medical conditions. As a result, the
diagnosis of
panic disorder
is frequently not made until extensive and costly medical procedures fail to
provide a correct diagnosis or relief.
Many people with panic disorder develop intense anxiety between episodes. It is not unusual for a person with panic disorder to develop phobias about places or situations where panic attacks have occurred, such as in supermarkets or other everyday situations. As the frequency of panic attacks increases, the person often begins to avoid situations where they fear another attack may occur or where help would not be immediately available. This avoidance may eventually develop into agoraphobia, an inability to go beyond known and safe surroundings because of intense fear and anxiety.
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