This is a frequently-asked question, the difference between agoraphobia and claustrophobia. Agoraphobia is the fear of being in places where you might have a panic attack or escape might be difficult. Some people with panic disorder go on to also develop agoraphobia. As agoraphobia progresses, you increasingly become home-bound, as you are fearful of places […]
Is Agoraphobia a Specific Phobia or a Social Phobia?
No- agoraphobia is not a social phobia or a specific phobia. Agoraphobia is a fear of places where escape may be difficult or help may not be available in the event of you having a panic attack or other incapacitating or embarrassing symptoms (fear of falling, fear of incontinence, etc.). Furthermore, agoraphobia diagnosis requires the […]
Panic Disorder- What It Is And How To Treat It
Hello I’m Dr. Carlo Carandang and I’m a psychiatrist with AnxietyBoss.com. Today, I will talk about panic disorder, which is an anxiety disorder where you have repeating panic attacks and you have extreme fear of the next attack coming. So the audience will benefit from this presentation by learning more about panic disorder and how […]
What is the Best Antidepressant for Panic Disorder?
There are several options for treatment of panic disorder with antidepressant medications. Antidepressant medications are used in the treatment of panic disorder, as those antidepressants with effects on the serotonin neurotransmitter are effective. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in your brain that is dysregulated when someone has panic disorder. The antidepressants with effects on serotonin include […]
Why Panic Attacks Come Out Of Nowhere in Panic Disorder
When you have panic disorder, the panic attacks are unexpected and come out of nowhere. You can be sitting in your chair, resting in your bed, or walking, when suddenly and unprovoked, a panic attack takes hold. There are no apparent triggers- you just have an unexpected panic attack. These unexpected panic attacks then lead to […]
How Panic Disorder Evolves – The Negative Cycle of Panic Disorder
Today, I will talk about how panic disorder develops. If you do not know what the negative cycle of panic disorder is like, and how you get stuck in a panic loop, then this article can be very helpful. We also have a video of this article if you prefer that format. The following flowchart details […]
Can Lexapro Treat Panic Disorder?
Yes, Lexapro (escitalopram), can treat panic disorder. Although Lexapro is only FDA-approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, Lexapro can also treat panic disorder. All of the major anxiety disorder except for specific phobia can be treated with Lexapro. Lexapro is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), which blocks the […]
Can Panic Disorder Go Away On Its Own?
No, panic disorder does not generally go away on its own. Panic disorder requires treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). If CBT is not effective, or if the panic disorder is severe, then prescription medication treatment can be tried. In some cases, a combination of CBT and prescription drug treatment is needed. There are also […]
Can Caffeine Cause Panic Disorder?
There are various agents that can induce panic attacks, and ingesting too much caffeine is one of them (Bourin et al., 1998). Caffeine is everywhere, and is consumed by most people in the form of caffeinated beverages, such as soda pop and coffee. Caffeine is a CNS (Central Nervous System) stimulant, and has numerous effects […]
How Much Xanax Should I Take for Panic Disorders?
Xanax, also known by its generic name alprazolam, is a benzodiazepine, and is used to treat anxiety disorders such as panic disorder. Benzodiazepines modulate GABA receptors, which have inhibitory effects on the CNS (Central Nervous System). The problem with Xanax, as with all the benzodiazepines, is that there is an addictive potential when taking this […]