Panic Disorder (cont.)

What happens if panic attacks are not treated?

Panic attacks tend to continue for months or years. While they typically begin in young adulthood, the symptoms may arise earlier or later in life in some people. Complications, which are symptoms that can develop as a result of continued panic attacks, may include: specific irrational fears (phobias), especially of leaving home (agoraphobia); avoidance of social situations, depression, work or school problems, suicidal thoughts or actions; financial problems, and alcohol or other substance abuse. Panic disorder also predisposes sufferers to developing heart disease.

If left untreated, anxiety may worsen to the point where the person's life is seriously affected by panic attacks and by attempts to avoid or conceal them. In fact, many people have had problems with friends and family, failed in school, and/or lost jobs while struggling to cope with panic attacks. There may be periods of spontaneous improvement in the attacks, but panic attacks do not usually go away unless the person receives treatments designed specifically to help people with panic attacks.

Panic Attacks At A Glance

• Symptoms of panic attack usually begin abruptly and include rapid heartbeat, chest sensations, shortness of breath, dizziness, tingling, and anxiousness.
• While panic disorder can certainly be serious, it is not immediately organ-threatening.
• A variety of treatments are available, including several effective medications, and specific forms of psychotherapy.

References: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Panic Disorder in Children and Adolescents. Facts for Families Number 50, November 2004.

Busch, FN and Milrod, BL. Panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy. Psychiatric Times 25(2), 2/1/08.

Dannon, PN, Iancu, I, Lowengrub, K, Grunhaus, L, Kotler, M. Recurrence of panic disorder during pregnancy: a 7-year naturalistic follow-up study. Clinical Neuropharmacology 29(3): 132-137, May-June 2006.

Furukawa, TA, Watanabe, N. Psychotherapy plus antidepressant for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. The British Journal of Psychiatry 188: 305-312, 2006.

Gomez-Caminero, A, Blumentals, WA, Russo, LJ, Brown, RR, Castilla-Puentes, R. Does panic disorder increase the risk of coronary heart disease? A cohort study of a national managed care database. Psychosomatic Medicine 67: 688-691, 2005.

Hall-Flavin, D. Nocturnal panic attacks: what causes them? Mayoclinic.com 1/8/08.

Ham, P, Waters, DB, Oliver, MN. Treatment of panic disorder. American Family Physician 2/15/05.

National Institute of Mental Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Reitman, DS, Larson, LH and Sylvester C. Anxiety Disorder: Panic Disorder. eMedicine.com 5/24/06.

Rubinchik, SM, Kablinger, AS, Gardner, JS. Medications for panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder during pregnancy. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 7(3): 100-105, 2005.

Last Editorial Review: 4/29/2008

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