Panic Disorder – What is it?
Panic disorder is one of the types of anxiety disorder. A person who has panic disorder is likely to get panic attacks. These attacks will be repeated and unexpected occurring with anxiety and intense fear associated with physical symptoms. These symptoms are connected to body’s response to danger. Suppose a person is in real danger, his body responds to the fear by adjusting the fight and flight responses. It may be shown out as an increase in the heart rate or blood rushing to the arms and legs or induce trembling of muscles or sweat all over or becoming very scared and alert. This is normal for everyone but for a panic disorder patient, these are likely to occur in the absence of danger.

At the peak of a panic attack, the patients are most likely to feel that they are detached or separated from the surroundings or as if they are about to die or get a heart attack or lose total control or even go crazy at times. Some of the patients are likely to get several panic attacks in a single day whereas others get it weekly or monthly only.

Panic attacks occur exclusive of any prior warning. It may also occur during the sleep. So the patients are always anxious about the beginning of the attack at any time. They are anxious not only regarding the pain and discomfort at the time of attack but also about their extreme behavior which may startle other people. Their constant fear of getting a panic attack leads to one finally even in public places at times. This fear is known as agoraphobia.
People with agoraphobia most probably avoid all public places like a crowded stadium, movie theatre, bus, train, etc. Though the exact reason for developing panic disorder is unknown, scientists assume that it is especially due to some disturbance in the brain pathways which control emotion, and include active neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, etc. the following areas are supposed to control the anxiety levels

Brainstem – controls fight and flight symptoms.
Limbic system – regulates anxiety and emotions.
Prefrontal cortex – directs body to prevent fear.

Sometimes there is a possibility for the patient to have a history of panic disorder. He may inherit the more sensitive or intense fight and flight response. Studies have added evidence that it is a genetic disease. Such people are 4-8 times more prone to get the disease than people without a family history. In the US, panic disorder is estimated to affect 1.5-3.5% of people at some or the other point. And women are twice more prone to get the disease and thrice more prone to get agoraphobia.

Symptoms begin most probably at the age of 25 on an average. But agoraphobia can affect anyone irrespective of their age. Some people develop the disease after a stressed occasion like divorce, death of someone close or job loss. Stress also has proved to be a great trigger of the disease. In reality, it has been found that more than 90% of the patients also develop depression, personality or other anxiety disorder or drug abuse.