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CHAPTER 1
What Is Panic Disorder?
F
ear and anxiety are the body’s natural response to danger. When
a person feels threatened, it triggers a physical reaction called the
fight-or-flight response.This innate reaction activates certain areas of
the brain that release chemicals to increase heart rate, blood pressure,
and breathing rate. These physical changes are designed to ensure
survival by preparing the body to either fight or flee imminent danger.
The fear response can help a person stay focused or leap into action.
For some people the fight-or-flight response can be triggered by
false alarms, situations in which there is no real threat. Panic attacks
are the reaction to these false alarms. People with panic disorder ex-
perience these sudden and repeated attacks of fear, even when no real
danger is present. Their fear has a strong physical component; they
experience chest pains, have trouble breathing, or feel weak and dizzy.
The attacks may occur suddenly and at any time. For some the panic
attacks become debilitating and interfere with work, school, activi-
ties, and relationships. Worried that they will have another panic at-
tack, some may withdraw from family and friends. For these people,
panic can become a serious mental illness.
Panic Attack Symptoms
Panic attacks are the main symptom of panic disorder. Sometimes
these episodes can be triggered by a specific situation such as flying
or being in a large group of people. In many cases, however, panic
attacks strike without warning.They can develop at any time or place
and are not tied to a specific object, event, or situation.
Panic attack symptoms usually peak within tenminutes, although
in some cases they can last almost an hour. This occurs because the
body cannot sustain the fight-or-flight response for a longer period
