{"id":4023,"date":"2018-07-27T16:51:59","date_gmt":"2018-07-27T20:51:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/?p=4023"},"modified":"2018-07-27T23:54:07","modified_gmt":"2018-07-28T03:54:07","slug":"panic-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/mental-disorders\/panic-disorder\/","title":{"rendered":"Panic Disorder"},"content":{"rendered":"

DEFINITION<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder. Its main characteristic is recurring severe panic attacks. Other symptoms may include significant behavioral change and ongoing worry about the possibility of having other attacks.<\/p>\n

CAUSES<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is some genetic basis for panic disorder. There is evidence suggesting that certain families seem to be more susceptible to panic disorders and the disorder seems to be passed on from generations to generations. Panic disorder can co-exist with other hereditary disorders such as bipolar disorder. Panic disorder is associated with several parts of the brain that are involved in fear and anxiety. Further studies are needed to be conducted about these parts of brain in order to create better treatments.<\/p>\n

There is a biological theory suggesting that panic attack may be caused by physical defects in a person\u2019s autonomic (or automatic) nervous system. Some triggers of panic attacks are general hypersensitivity in the nervous system, sudden chemical imbalance, or increased arousal. Certain drugs such as caffeine, alcohol, and several others can also trigger these symptoms. The risk of developing panic attacks can also be increased by cigarette smoking<\/p>\n

Environmental factors also play a big role in causing panic attacks. One especially important environmental factor is the effects of stress. Further researches are being conducted on the role stress plays in the formation of panic disorders.<\/p>\n

SYMPTOMS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some signs and symptoms of panic disorder are:<\/p>\n