Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: An Effective Treatment for Panic Disorder.
Palpitations, extreme shortness of breath, chest pains, trembling, sweating, dizziness and feeling of helplessness are the many symptoms associated with panic disorder (PD) (Cox et al., 19994). Panic disorder is classified as an anxiety disorder marked by recurrent sudden onset of intense apprehension or terror. People with panic disorder fear they will go crazy, do something they cannot control and that they will die (Santrock & Mitterer, 2004). The central feature of panic disorder is the occurrence of panic attacks. The word panic denotes a sudden upsurge of acute intense fear, often associated with frantic attempts to escape (Marks, 1987). Panic attacks are discrete intense fear and discomfort. Usually an attack is spontaneous, out of the blue and even can occur during sleep (Firestone & Marshall, 2003). .
To meet criteria for panic disorder, a person must experience recurrent unexpected panic attacks that occur without any obvious cues or triggers. The experience of unexpected panic attacks is not enough to meet criteria for panic disorder. In addition, the individual must develop substantial anxiety or concern over the possibility of having another attack or about the implications of the attack or its consequences. This is important criterion, because individuals experience "no clinical panic attacks", which an individual under stress may experience a sudden jolt of unexpected panic but fail to develop anxiety about another possible attack (Bouton, Mineka, & Barlow, 2001). .
The onset of panic disorder is during late adolescence to young adulthood. More females .
than males seem to develop panic disorder. Panic disorder often develops after a stressful life event. 50 percent of people with panic disorder tend to have another mental disorder, for example; .
Cognitive behavioral therapy 3.
anxiety disorder, mood disorder and substance abuse (Firestone & Marshall, 2003).