Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder

By Hannah Aucoin

• Dizzy/lightheaded

• Chills/heat sensation​

• ​Nausea/abdominal pain

• Fear of dying

• Derealization/Depersonalization

• Numbness/Tingling

• Fear of losing control or "going crazy"​

• Palp​itations

• Sweating

• Tremulous

• ​Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Feeling of choking​

Recurrent unexpected panic attacks. A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, and during which time four (or more) of the following symptoms occur:

Multiple Select

What a diagnostic test you can use for Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety?

• PHQ-9

• GAD-10

• GAD-7

• Severity Measure for Panic Disorder

Non-pharmacologic Management

• remove triggers (caffiene, nicotine​, dietary triggers, stressors)

• Improve sleep​

• Exercise​

• Mindfulness-based stress reduction as effective as CBT

Multiple Choice

Which of the following botanicals has the best evidence for anxiety disorder?

• Kava

• Lavender Oil

• St. John's Wort

• Passionflower

Multiple Choice

What is the limiting side effect of Kava?

• Nephrotoxicity

• Hepatotoxicity

• Ototoxicity

• Rash

Treatment

1. SSRI

2. SNRI​

3. TCA

​Buspar and Bupropion not appropriate for Panic Disorder.

Once symptoms improved, medication should be continued 12 months to prevent relapse.​

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