A panic disorder is characterized by sudden feelings of terror or panic attacks where physical symptoms suddenly occur without any real danger being present. Common symptoms include rapid heartbeat, chest pain, sweating, nausea and feeling like you may lose control. Panic disorders can be caused by stress, trauma, fear of additional attacks or have no identifiable cause. While medication or therapy can help control panic disorders, they are generally considered long-term conditions. Prevention techniques include controlling stress levels, breathing exercises and distraction during attacks. The document provides a personal example of someone with panic disorder experiences frequent panic attacks but is otherwise a normal teenager.

1. Unexpected
Mallory Collier 6th hour
(Panic disorders)

2. What is a panic disorder/ panic
attack?
A sudden feeling of terror that strikes without
warning.
Resemble (in feeling) heart attacks, multiple
sclerosis, lyme disease, brain tumors, and
heart failures.
May seem dangerous but can happen when
someone isn’t in danger at all.

3. What causes a panic disorder or
attack?
❖ Heavy stress/ fear
❖ Over sensitization
❖ Traumatic events
❖ Fear of another anxiety attack (if you have
already had one)
❖ Nothing at all

4. What are the symptoms and signs?
❖ Rapid and pounding heartbeat
❖ Heart pressure
❖ Chest pains
❖ Sweating or hot/cold sensations
❖ Shortness of breath
❖ Lightheadedness
❖ Muscle weakness or tingling
❖ Feeling of losing control
❖ Intense feeling of doom
❖ Depersonalization or feelings of going crazy
❖ Nausea or stomach discomfort
❖ Need to go to the bathroom
❖ Head pressure or headache
During a panic attack most of these happen at the same time.

5. Is it hereditary? & Is it curable?
Scientists have seen panic attacks in many
members of many families so there is
possibility that panic disorders are hereditary.
In other cases someone could develop a panic disorder
without any family history of anyone in their family having
one.
Many people take medication or therapy but
since this disorder is long term it is hard to
completely sure panic disorders.

6. How can you control and prevent
panic disorders and attacks?
Control while happening:
● Remind yourself its just anxiety
● Control your breathing
● Hold your breath at peak
● Tell someone
● Distract yourself
Prevent from happening:
● Control your stress and anxiety levels
● Control the way you react to severe stress
● Control the way you react panic attacks

7. What's an example of someone with
a panic disorder?
An example of someone with a panic disorder would be
me.
I have a panic disorder and get panic attacks frequently.
The way it feels is very scary,like your possesed at first
but as time goes by you calm down and are normal again.
Just seeing me around wouldn’t know I have a panic
disorder .
I’m a normal teenager I just have my moments that’s all.

8. References
Lifetime Health; Holt, Rinehart, and Winston; a Hartcourt
Education Co. Copyright © 2009 by Holt, Rinehart, and
Winston.
www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/attacks © 2009-2013, Calm
Clinic| All Rights Reserved
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fighting-
fear/201305/cure-panic-disorder-and-angoraphobia ©
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