Panic Disorder Health Video

Panic disorder is a psychiatric condition wherein the patient experiences chronic panic attacks. These panic attacks can be caused by stress and the fear of more panic attacks. Learn more about panic disorder including treatments and symptoms in this medical video.

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Avoid situations which are known to trigger panic attacks
Use the appropriate medication
Follow all of your doctor's recommendations

About this Author

Dr. Ulrich joined On Call Medical Group in 2006. She had previously practiced at Doctors Medical Center in Richmond, Calif., and prior to that worked with the uninsured and homeless population of San Francisco at the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic. Throughout her medical career, Dr. Ulrich as also been involved in numerous medical research studies. Dr. Ulrich holds a B.S. from Harvard University, an M.P.H. for the University of California at Berkeley, and an M.D. from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

SKYLAR ULRICH, MD: I'm Dr. Skylar Ulrich. I'm talking about panic disorder. Panic disorder is recurrent unexpected panic attacks. Symptoms generally are sudden attacks of fear and nervousness usually accompanied by shortness of breath, palpitation, chest pains, feeling that your heart is racing, feeling of impending sense of doom, intense fear, sweating, and possibly nausea and vomiting. The treatment of panic disorder depends on the severity of the panic disorder and the duration of symptoms. Usually, psychotherapy is effective as well as cognitive behavioral therapy. If neither of these approaches is effective a lot, medication may be used to treat the panic disorder. Some of the newer SSRIs such as Zoloft and Paxil have been found to be useful and effective in treating panic disorder. Xanax as well is useful in treating panic disorder. It is used when the individual anticipates a situation which may trigger the panic attack. Prevention of panic disorder is difficult; however, certain methods may be effective such as avoiding situations which are known to trigger the panic attack or use of the appropriate medication prior to entering into a situation which may cause the panic attack.

Panic Disorder Health Video

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