Disorder Paper

1

|The purpose of this paper is to understand Panic Disorder and symptoms, types of the disorder, treatment, and relation to other disorders and how it affects people in       |
|general. Included, is a case study of “Sarah” who suffered with a panic disorder. Panic Disorder is when someone experiences unexpected panic attacks followed by at least   |
|one month of persistent concern about having another panic attack, worrying about the possible consequences of the panic attacks, or a behavioral change related to the       |
|attacks (Millon, 1996, p.559). Panic Disorder is not a disease. It may be assessed, but not definitively diagnosed. This disorder is distressing and disabling, physically,   |
|psychologically, and socially (Harvard, 2000, p.1). One symptom of Panic Disorder is unexpected panic attacks. At least two panic attacks are required for diagnosis. Attacks|
|may last from several seconds to several minutes. Doctors believe that every attack has a situational trigger and an essential feature (Morrison, 1995, p.402). Another       |
|symptom of the disorder is constant concern and worry. The most common trait found in all Panic Disorder patients is a fear of being embarrassed. When a person takes an     |
|attack once they are paranoid for up to three months about going into public for fear of taking another attack. People diagnosed with panic disorder experience great         |
|anticipation and are very anxious when they look forward. They often worry and think of the worst possible outcomes, and at night, nightmares often occur. Panic disorder     |
|patients often assume that they have an undiagnosed disease or think they are going crazy (Harvard, 2000, p.8). Sarah, also experienced severe anxiety in social situations. |
|She had a terrible fear of having another attack, fear of losing consciousness, and a fear of embarrassment in social situations. Sarah had suffered in her sleep as well.   |
|Constant nightmares persisted, causing lack of...