ADULT PANIC

...many mature folks suffer from this common disease condition called ADULT PANIC. Adult panic is also called panic disorder, an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring panic attacks. It may also include significant behavioral changes lasting at least a month and of ongoing worry about the implications or concern about having other attacks which is called anticipatory attacks (DSM-IVR).

 

Causes
...there is no single cause for panic disorder, however, panic disorder has been found to run in families, and suggests that inheritance plays a strong role in determining who will get it. Events like stress, life transition, trauma, chemical messengers like neurotransmitters (epinephrine), substance abuse (smoking, cocaine, alcohol, caffeine, sedatives), environment exaggerates this psychological condition.

Mechanism
..panic disorder occur due to chemical imbalance within the Limbic system and one of the regulatory chemicals GABA-A. The reduced production of GABA-A sends false information to the amygdala which regulates the body's "fight or flight response" mechanism and in return, produce the physiological symptoms that lead to the disorder.

 Treatment
...with the help of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) patients of panic disorder recover completely within 12 weeks of treatment, in adverse case where behavioral therapy can not be applied, pharmacotherapy can be used. Antidepressants like SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors) are considered a first line pharmacotherapeutic option.

Other treatment options are:
Psychotherapy, interoceptive therapy, avoid substance abuse.