Panic attacks duration

Anxiety reactivity to 35% CO2 inhalations has been reported not to be significantly influenced by clinical characteristics of the disorder such as baseline anxiety, frequency of panic attacks, severity of agoraphobia, duration of illness, and age (Perna et al. 1994). On the other hand, several studies suggest a relevant role of genetic factors in 35% CO2-induced panic attacks, and it has been concluded that C02-induced panic might be considered a phenotypic expression of a genetic vulnerability to panic disorder even before the clinical onset of panic disorder (e.g., Perna et al. 1995 Bellodi et al. 1999). 

Panic disorder. Sixty-six panic disorder patients were included in a study. All of whom met the DSM-IV diagnosis of panic disorder (n = 45) or panic disorder with agoraphobia ([PDA] n = 21). Twenty-four patients experienced their first panic attack within 48 hours of cannabis use and then went on to develop panic disorder. All the patients were treated with paroxetine (gradually increased up to 40 mg/day). The two groups responded equally well to paroxetine treatment as measured at the 8 weeks and 12 months follow-up visits. There were no significant effects of age, sex, and duration of illness as covariates with response rates between the two groups. In addition, panic disorder or panic disorder... 

GAD differs from other types of anxiety disorders because, although the anxiety is present most of the time, GAD patients do not fear specific events such as social situations or having a panic attack (as in social anxiety or panic disorder). GAD is distinguished from normal worry or anxiety because of its long-term duration. GAD is frequently the underlying cause of many symptoms, including irritability, insomnia, headache, and muscle tension. This can often make it very hard to diagnose. A person with GAD will often go to his or her family physician and complain of nerves. ... 

Before outlining the main features of each anxiety disorder, it is necessary to define two terms panic attacks and anxiety symptoms. Panic attacks are very brief but extremely intense surges of anxiety. The major differences between a panic attack and more generalized anxiety symptoms are differences in the onset, duration, and intensity (see figure 7-A). Panic attacks often "come out of the blue" that is, they are not necessarily provoked by stress. They come on suddenly, are extremely intense, and last anywhere from 1 to 30 minutes and then subside. Tlie patient feels as if he or she will actually die or go crazy as we are not talking about uneasiness but fullblown panic. 

I Efficacy. The majority of studies assessing the efficacy of MAOIs in treating panic disorder were open-labeled. These trials lacked sufficient dosage and duration of treatment, adequate sample size, and valid ratings of panic attacks. No maintenance trials of MAOIs are published. The course of response mimics that of TCAs. MAOIs are reserved for the most refractory or difficult patients. ... 

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