Fast facts about panic disorders
Here as some facts about panic disorder and anxiety in South Africa:
* Two to four per cent of the South African population will suffer from panic disorder at some point in their lives.
* Panic is twice as common in women as it is in men. For women, the average age of onset is during their early twenties, whilst for men it is often later.
* The average length of a panic attack is four to six minutes.
* Recent research shows that there is a strong genetic or hereditary component that predisposes people to panic. Attacks can be triggered by stressful life events or occur “out of the blue”.
* Before panic disorder is diagnosed a medical examination should be carried out to exclude other medical conditions.
* Panic disorder is frequently misdiagnosed as a thyroid problem, hypoglycemia or a heart valve problem.
* Up to 30 per cent of people with panic disorder misuse/abuse alcohol, 17 per cent abuse drugs, and up to 20 per cent attempt to commit suicide.
* Whilst panic disorder typically occurs in adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years, it can also affect children and the elderly. Panic affects people of all races and classes.
* Homeopathic treatments are being researched to assess their help for treating panic disorder.
* Caffeine, cold and flu medications, Lariam (anti-malarial drug), appetite suppressants and local anesthetics such as dental injections containing adrenaline may trigger panic attacks.
* Between 50 per cent and 75 per cent of people with panic will avoid certain places and activities. This can lead to social impairment, greater than that of major depression.
* Before receiving a diagnosis of panic, South Africans will on average visit eleven doctors and spend over R20 000 on medical investigations.
* Treatment (usually) includes a combination of medication, psychotherapy and self-help (for example, reading, support groups, or relaxation techniques).
Antidepressant medications and benzodiazepine are usually used to treat panic.
The good news is that panic disorder is a highly treatable condition. With the right combinations of therapy, 90 per cent of people recover greatly with the remaining 10 per cent can experience significant recovery.
