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Panic Disorder

Description

Panic disorder is a mental disorder and is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness or abdominal distress. Panic episodes can be associated with sudden awakenings from sleep.

Diagnosis

Panic episodes occurring during sleep are associated with a sudden awakening and the onset of typical symptoms. The patient is then overstimulated and had difficulty returning to sleep. Patients with panic disorder also have panic attacks in the day time. This is not to be confused with sleep terror episodes which start with a loud scream during stage three or four of sleep and only occur at night and never during the daytime.

Treatment

Sorry, there currently is no treatment for this condition. Please check back often as researchers are discovering new treatments for sleep conditions every day.

Source: Adapted from International Classification of Sleep Disorders Diagnostic & Coding Manual, American Academy of Sleep Medicine.