9 Panic Disorder Facts You Probably Didn't Know

by Vlasta Kuster

Panic Disorder Fact No.1: It is Misunderstood by Most of the People

One of the panic disorder facts is that it is poorly understood or misunderstood by most of the people. although it is a very common anxiety disorder.

It is often interpreted as overreaction to a feared event or a person inability to control reactions to stress.

But this is not the case.

A panic attack can be described as a comprehensive emotional nightmare.

It is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear while a person feels different physical symptoms such as

• chest pain,
  
• heart palpitations,
  
• shortness of breath,
  
• dizziness, etc.

2. Women are Approximately 2 Times as Likely to Develop it

There are some interesting panic disorder facts if focused on prevalence and comorbidity:

Panic disorder is approximately prevalent in

• 3.7-4.1% of people in the United States of America
  
• 2.0% of population. in Europe
  

Women are approximately 2 times as likely to develop panic disorder compared to men.

3. 24.1% of Women with Panic Disorder Were Sexually Molested or Abused

Image by Ulrike Mai from Pixabay

Panic disorder usually starts to develop in adolescence and in early adulthood. On average one person suffers 2.2 years from panic disorder.

Of those people who suffer from panic disorder,

• 24.1% of women and
  
• 5% of men
  

reveal a history of being sexually molested or abused.

4. Panic Disorder Can Also Affect Children

It is interesting to see in which age group panic disorder gets most expressed.

The research made in the United States reveals that

• in the age group between 18-29 years 4.4% of people had panic disorder,
  
• in the age group between 30-44 years there are 5.7% of people who suffer from panic disorder,
  
• in the age group 45-59 5.9% of people,
•  and 2% of people who are older than 60.
  

Whilst panic disorder typically occurs in adults it can also affect children.

5. It Runs in the Family

More than 90% of first-degree relatives or probands who suffered from panic disorders also had an affective disorder diagnosis, which indicates that panic disorder runs in the family.

A proband is the first in the family line who can develop a certain mental disorder.

• 1.1% of people in the United States suffers from panic disorder plus agoraphobia at least once in their lifetimes, while
  
• 100% of the people with panic disorder and agoraphobia has an additional mental disorder as well.
  
• 83.1% of the people who have a panic disorder (and no agoraphobia) also suffer from another mental disorder.

6. 97% of People Experience Heart Pounding

Interesting panic disorder facts from the point of the symptoms are that the most known panic disorder symptoms are

• heart pounding (97%),
  
• dizziness (96%),
  
• sweating in men (80%) and
  
• shaking/trembling in women (79%).
  

The most common combination of disorders is panic disorder and major depression.

7. Maintaining Normal Day and Night Rhythm Helps to Reduce the Amount of Panic Attacks

It is very important to maintain normal day and night rhythm because it helps to reduce the amount of panic attacks.

The fact is that people who sleep too little or go to bed too late are prone to worry more.

The more you worry about having another panic attack the bigger are the chances of having one.

Up to 30% of people with panic disorder misuse or abuse alcohol, 17% of the people abuse drugs, and up to 20% attempt to commit suicide.

8. It Can Lead to Social Impairment Which is Greater Than That of a Major Depression

Between 50% and 75% of people with panic disorder are trying to avoid certain places and activities which they interpret as possible triggers of the attack.

That kind of reasoning and behavior can lead to social impairment even greater than that of a major depression.

9. 90% of the People Can Recover Greatly

At the end of the article we are satisfied to offer good news: panic disorder is a highly treatable condition.

With the right treatment or combinations of therapy,

• 90% of the people recover greatly
  
• 10% of the population can experience significant recovery.

Sources:
https://barendspsychology.com/interesting-panic-attacks-facts/
https://www.verywellmind.com/interesting-facts-about-panic-attacks-2584268
https://www.health24.com/Medical/Depression/Anxiety-disorders/Fast-facts-about-panic-disorder-20150618

Vlasta Kuster, holds an MA degree in Basic Medical Sciences and uses her 3-month EFT therapy in her work to help people to do away with panic attacks and anxiety for good. She has more than 10-year experiences in EFT therapy and achieves at least 90% success in permanently eliminating anxiety and panic attacks. You may contact her through her website freeofpanic.com