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Emotional HealthPanic disorderPanic disorder strikes between 3 and 6 million Americans, and is twice as common in women as in men. It can appear at any age -- in children or in the elderly -- but most often it begins in young adults. Not everyone who experiences panic attacks will develop panic disorder -- for example, many people have one attack but never have another. For those who do have panic disorder, though, it’s important to seek treatment. Untreated, the disorder can become very disabling.Panic disorder is often accompanied by other conditions such as depression or alcoholism, and may lead to phobias, which can develop in places or situations where panic attacks have occurred. For example, if a panic attack strikes while you’re riding in an elevator, you may develop a fear of elevators and perhaps start avoiding them. Some people’s lives become greatly restricted -- they avoid normal everyday activities such as grocery shopping, driving, or, in some cases, even leaving the house. Or they may be able to confront a feared situation only if accompanied by a spouse or other trusted person. Basically, they avoid any situation they fear would make them feel helpless if a panic attack occurs. When people’s lives become so restricted by the disorder, as happens in about one-third of all people with panic disorder, the condition is called agoraphobia. A tendency toward panic disorder and agoraphobia runs in families. Nevertheless, early treatment of panic disorder can often stop the progression of agoraphobia.
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