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,
fearful anticipation,
heart palpitations,
male ratio,
panic attack symptoms,
panic attacks,
panic disorder,
patient profile,
profile definition,
profile number,
psychiatric conditions,
sensations,
statistics,
stress,
terror,
tranquilizers,
typical frequency,
unresolved childhood issues,
welfare,
work quality
