PSYCHO-BITES (volume 2)

Just so you know! Read it out! Might help you understand someone's
weird behaviors and reactions. Today's disorder is under the subgroup
of Social Phobias.

Psychological Classification:
Panic Disorder

Definition:
Occurrence of unexpected panic attacks that often seem to come
"out of the blue" under social situations.

Criteria for panic attack:
A discrete period of intense fear in which 4 or more of the following
symptoms develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10min:

1. Palpitations or pounding heart.
2. Sweating.
3. Trembling or shaking.
4. Sensations of shortness of breath or being smothered.
5. Feeling of choking.
6. Chest pain or discomfort.
7. Nausea or abdominal distress.
8. Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or faint.
9. Derealization (feelings of unreality)
   
10. Depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
11. Fear of losing control or going crazy.
12. Fear of dying.
13. Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations).
14. Chills or hot flushes.

Symptoms:
a) Both of the following:
- Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks.
- At least one of the attacks followed by 1 month or more of:
a) Concern about having another panic attack.
b) Worry about consequences of an attack. (heart attack)

b) Panic attack not due to physiological effects of a substance
or medical condition.

c) Panic attacks not better explained by another mental disorder
such as social or specific phobia.