Panic disorder with agoraphobia

Definition

Panic disorder with agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder in which there are repeated attacks of intense fear and anxiety, and a fear of being in places where escape might be difficult, or where help might not be available in case of a panic attack.

Causes

The exact cause of panic disorder is unknown, but it has to do with many different factors. Panic disorder can occur with or without agoraphobia, but agoraphobia develops in more than a third of cases.

Agoraphobia may be a learned behavior, because it involves a fear of having panic attacks in unprotected settings. Sometimes, panic attacks occur in areas where they have happened in the past.

Panic disorder can occur in children, but it usually starts at around age 25. It can affect middle-aged and older adults as well. Studies have shown that women are 2 to 3 times more likely than men to be affected.

References

Moore DP, Jefferson JW. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:162-163.

Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2005:1440.

Schneier FR. Clinical Practice. Social anxiety disorder. NEJM, 2006;355:1029-1036.

Katon WJ. Panic disorder. NEJM, 2006;354:2360-2367.

Connolly SD, Bernstein GA: Work Group on Quality Issues. Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 2007;46:267-283.