The Symptoms Of Panic Disorder
The purpose of this article is to discuss the various symptoms of panic disorder. Knowledge of the symptoms of panic disorder is key to an early determination – and possible diagnosis – of the same, and will hopefully lead to an early treatment as well.
However, before the different symptoms of panic disorder can be discussed, a clarification of the nature of this psychological condition is in order.
Panic disorder is very much different from a panic attack.
A panic attack is an episode that lasts for less than 30 minutes, whereby the subject experiences a variety of symptoms that include feelings of extreme terror and dread, sense of impending doom, a variety of psychosomatic conditions, a variety of sudden cognitive abnormalities, potential derealization and/or depersonalization, and nervousness.
Panic disorder is more than just an episode. Rather, it is a series of episodes of particular intensity. The symptoms of panic disorder will help define this psychological condition. These symptoms are as follows:
1. Severe panic attacks. The panic attacks that comprise panic disorder aren’t just of mild or moderate intensity. They rank as severe in any of the anxiety rating scales being used today. Two of the more popular scales are the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. By evaluating the subject based on a prepared questionnaire, the severity of the attack can be determined.
2. Recurring panic attacks. Panic disorder isn’t comprised of isolated episodes of panic attacks. Not one nor two nor three panic attacks can point to the presence of a panic disorder. Panic disorder is composed of recurring panic attacks. This and the severity involved are the two essential symptoms of panic disorder. There is no exact definition of “recurring” as it related to the frequency of the episodes. However, it has been established that by observing the subject for a 30-day period, and if panic attacks happen at least once every 2 to 3 days, then it can be said that the subject is indeed suffering from panic disorder.
3. Negative social consequences. A likely result of panic disorder is negative social development on the part of the patient. People who are suffering from panic disorder often develop agoraphobia, or even social phobia. The patient has the tendency to isolate himself because he will feel that this is the best way to deal with his fears and concerns.
4. May be accompanied by limited symptom attacks. Limited symptom attacks are “incomplete versions” of panic attacks. They feel like panic attacks, albeit, with fewer symptoms manifesting themselves. A good gauge for a limited symptom attack is that it has 4 or less symptoms that often accompany normal panic attacks.
The above are the symptoms of panic disorder that define the same. There are other symptoms, of course, but these are shared in common with panic attack episodes. The symptoms of panic disorder mentioned above are the ones that are exclusive to the said psychological condition.
