$Unique_ID{BRK01455}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Is Anxiety in a Tight Situation a Panic Disorder?}
$Subject{panic disorder anxiety mental emotional conditions stressful
disorders fear palpitation heart chest pain sweating choking smothering
sensations muscle weakness dizziness nausea diarrhea catastrophe behavior
behaviors anxieties condition fears panicking}
$Volume{E-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is Anxiety in a Tight Situation a Panic Disorder?


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QUESTION:  I recently read about a panic disorder and I am afraid that I
suffer from this.  Whenever I get into a tight situation, like when I am
driving the car, I freeze up and can't move.  I can feel my heart racing away,
and it takes a while before I am back to normal.  Is this a panic disorder and
do I have to worry?

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ANSWER:  Everyone feels a certain degree of anxiety when they are in a
stressful situation, it is one of the most common feelings we experience.  And
it's normal, nature's way of getting your defenses up and working.  However
people who suffer from "panic disorder" (one of several mental problems
classified as "anxiety disorders") have attacks that strike without evident
reason, and produce a feeling of intense fear.  They experience a variety of
physical sensations, palpitation of the heart, sometimes with chest pain,
profuse sweating, choking and smothering sensations, muscle weakness and
dizziness, nausea and even diarrhea.  They sense an imminent catastrophe, a
feeling that they may die or that they may be losing their minds.  For the
time that the attack lasts, from a few minutes to an hour they may be
incapable of rational thinking.  Obviously combinations of these signs and
symptoms may come on with a variety of medical complaints, but a physical
examination and laboratory tests reveal no apparent cause in these
individuals.  It is reported that this disorder may affect as many as 2.9
million Americans, many of whom do not realize the nature of their problem,
and so do not seek the help that is available.  The fact is there is help
obtainable and the treatment, which may combine medications with
psychotherapy, is frequently successful.  Happily, the success rate is higher
than for most other mental and psychiatric problems.  It is hard to judge your
condition from the facts you have presented, although I tend to believe you
are merely experiencing a normal anxiety, resulting from situations that can
be defined.  However, a consultation with your physician is in order if these
attacks continue, without apparent cause, and if they disrupt your normal
existence.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.