PHRM 311 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Chest Pain, Agoraphobia, Hypervigilance
Document Summary
Panic attack : a distinct period of intense fear or discomfort when 4 or more symptoms develop and achieve a peak within 10 min. Panic disorder : recurrent unexpected panic attacks with at least one of the attacks being followed by a month or longer of at least 1 of the following. Being anxious about the implications of the attack or its consequences. Maladaptive change in behavior designed to avoid having panic attacks. Genetics (if a family member develops the disorder before age 20 17x likely) 1/5 of patients follows an unremitting and chronic course. Comorbidity with personality, mood, or other anxiety disorders. Persistent re-experiencing of traumatic event, avoidance of stimuli, hyperarousal symptoms. Re-experiencing : recurrent, intrusive distressing memories of the trauma. Avoidance : avoidance of thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the trauma. Hyperarousal : decreased concentration, hypervigilance, trouble sleeping, irritability or angry outbursts. Peritraumatic severity of trauma, emotional response, personal, violent. Duration: 3 years with treatment, 5 years without.
