| Panic disorder is an illness that affects people in their | | | | likely to have panic disorder than men. Medical |
| early to middle adulthood. It is characterized by brief, | | | | treatment for panic disorder has proven to be very |
| unprovoked episodes of panic. When those with panic | | | | effective with a positive outcome for two-thirds of |
| disorder experience these episodes of panic, the | | | | those who have the illness. But only a small |
| feelings of intense fear is also accompanied by | | | | percentage (10 to 20 percent) are ever fully cured of |
| physical discomfort like a feeling of smothering, hand | | | | panic disorder. Every year, 2.4 million people are |
| numbness, and chest pain. The panic episode always | | | | diagnosed and/or treated for panic disorder.To get a |
| begins quickly and usually with no warning, and | | | | correct diagnosis of panic disorder, a patient must fit |
| reaches its peak within ten minutes.Women are more | | | | certain criteria. |