What Is Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder is similar in a way to having panic attacks.

However, there is the added persistent dread about having another panic attack which may result in a person changing their choises and lifestyle because of it.

Another words, not just a panic attack or two, but there are ongoing effects of these panic attacks on their lives.

The criteria for panic disorder without agoraphobia, according to DSM-IV are:

1. Must have had unexpected and recurrent Panic Attacks along with at least one of the following:

1. Persistent concerns of having more Panic Attacks.
2. Concerns about the meaning or consequences of the Panic Attacks.
        ( E.g., lose of control, feelings of going "crazy", or of having a heart attack )
3. Significant behavioral changes related from the Panic Attacks.

2. Agoraphobia must not be present.

3. Panic Attacks can not be due to drug abuse, general medical condition, medication, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, or Specific Phobia.

4. Not due to a substance, general medical condition, or other disorder.

Panic disorder may be associated with agoraphobia, that well known "anxiety" word we've all heard of.