What is Panic Disorder?
A panic attack is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) as a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by at least four physical or cognitive symptoms from a list of 13 (such as palpitations, shortness of breath, derealization, and fear of dying) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks (requiring at least a panic attack followed by fear of another attack for at least a month, or at least one panic attack followed by maladaptive behaviors related to the attack).
Approximately 2.7% of American adults experience a panic attack each year (National Institute of Mental Health). Among persons who have panic attacks, about half (44.8%) have panic disorder that can be categorized as “serious,” with a high degree of impairment across multiple domains. Women are more likely to experience a panic attack than men in any given year (3.8% for females, and 1.6% for males). The numbers for adolescents are similar, with 2.3% of Americans aged 13-18 meeting diagnostic criteria for Panic Disorder (2.6% for women and 2.0% for men). White Americans are the racial group most likely to endorse symptoms of panic disorder (5.1%), higher than Hispanic Americans (4.1%), African Americans (3.8%), and Asian Americans (2.1%)(Asnaani, Richey, Dimaite, Hinton, & Hofmann, 2010).
Panic disorder is considered to be highly treatable. For example, one study found that a CBT intervention for panic was effective at reducing panic attacks to zero at three months post-treatment, and almost half of the subjects were panic free 24 months post-treatment with no additional treatment (Ham, Waters, & Oliver, 2005). However, only about 40% of persons with panic disorder seek treatment (Anxiety and Depression Association of America). Many persons do not receive adequate treatment because they are not diagnosed, or misdiagnosed. Panic and related anxiety disorders are very common, and many persons seeking mental health care could potentially benefit from more effective diagnosis and treatment. This also applies to social workers who are not working primarily as mental health providers but who nonetheless encounter many clients for whom anxiety treatment, or a referral for anxiety treatment, would be very beneficial.
Many persons with panic disorder present to their primary care physician or the emergency room, and they are six times more likely than the general population to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Misdiagnoses, missed diagnoses, and improper treatment of panic attacks, panic disorder, and other anxiety disorders, places an unnecessary burden on emergency and psychiatric facilities. Proper diagnosis and treatment of panic disorder is an essential skill for any person who treats emotional disorders, works in community mental health, or works in any social work agency.
At ATC-D, we offer an anxiety treatment program that is very effective at treating panic disorder. Contact us to learn how we can help you beat your panic, for good.
