One of the most common Anxiety Disorders is Panic Disorder.  Panic Disorder is a disease that can be successfully treated with psychotherapy and/or medication.  People with Panic Disorder may have:

• sudden attacks of terror, usually accompanied by a pounding heart
• sweatiness, weakness, faintness, or dizziness
• flush or feel chilled
• their hands may tingle or feel numb
• nausea, chest pain, or smothering sensations
• a sense of unreality, a fear of impending doom, or a fear of losing control.

Panic attacks can occur at any time, even during sleep.  People with Panic Disorder often dread and worry uncontrollably about when the next attack may occur.

How is Panic Disorder treated?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is very useful in treating anxiety disorders. The cognitive part helps people change the thinking patterns that support their fears, and the behavioral part helps people change the way they react to anxiety-provoking situations.  I often work together with a physician who will prescribe medication to treat panic disorder.  It is very important to first rule out any physical causes for the above symptoms before beginning therapy for any anxiety disorder.