PANIC-DISORDER PROFILE
Definition: Illness characterized by spontaneous episodes of
intense, gripping terror accompanied by heart palpitations, dizziness,
and smothering sensations.
Causes: psychological vulnerabilities, stress, unresolved childhood
issues, or a combination of all three.
Length of typical panic attack: 10 minutes
Typical frequency of panic attacks: four attacks over four weeks or
one or more attacks followed by a month of fearful anticipation of more
attacks.
Percentage of panic-disorder (PD) patients with additional
psychological and psychiatric conditions: up to 70.
Number of PD patients who also suffer agoraphobia -- a fear of any
situation which help or escape is difficult or impossible: 1 in 3
Percentage of PD patients who suffer depression as well: 40
PATIENT PROFILE
Number of Americans who experience panic-attack symptoms per month:
1 million
Number of Americans who will suffer from PD at some point in their
lives: 3 million (or 1 in 75)
Percentage aged 18-34: 37; aged 35-64: 60
Average age of onset: 24
Female to male ratio: 72:28
Percentage who are married: 51
Percentage who are divorced: 24
Percentage who are unable to drive farther than three miles from
their home: 50
Percentage who abuse alcohol: 30; drugs: 17; tranquilizers:
42
Percentage whose work quality declines: 83; who lose jobs or
income: 67; who are unable to work for at least one month: 43
Percentage who have attempted suicide: 20
Percentage who are financially dependent on welfare or disability:
27
TREATMENT PROFILE
Standard treatment: behavioral or drug therapy
Best results: a combination of both
Percentage of patients that treatment helps significantly:
70-90
Most common behavioral treatment: graduated exposure to simulated
panic situations (desensitization)
Time it takes for improvement from behavior therapy, in weeks
3-6
Fastest-working drug with least side effects:
benzodiazepines
Time it takes for benzodiadzepines to reduce symptoms, in weeks:
zero
Percentage who stop drug treatment due to side effects: up to
35
Percentage of PD patients who visit the emergency room in a
six-month period: 28
--Source: The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Tags:
abuse alcohol,
agoraphobia,
disability,
dizziness,
heart palpitations,
panic attacks,
panic disorder,
psychiatric conditions,
sensations,
statistics,
stress,
terror,
tranquilizers,
unresolved childhood issues,
welfare,
work quality
