Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia : A Guide

by Greist, John H.; Jefferson, James W.

• ISBN13: 9781890802264
• ISBN10: 1890802263
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-09-01
• Publisher: Madison Inst of Medicine

Summary

A patient guide book on the diagnosis and treatment of panic disorder and agoraphobia.

Table of Contents

General Introduction	vii
A prison of fear	1	(14)
Introduction
Panic disorder and case history
Agoraphobia and case history
Prevalence of panic disorder and agoraphobia
Conditions that resemble panic disorder and agoraphobia
Table 1. Medical Causes of Anxiety Symptoms	12	(2)
Panic disorder and agoraphobia that require treatment
Fear Questionnaire	14	(1)
Causes of panic disorder and agoraphobia	15	(3)
Genetic predisposition
Biochemical factors
Life experiences
Treatment of panic disorder and agoraphobia	18	(2)
Medication treatment
Cognitive-behavior therapy
Combination approach
Medication treatment for panic disorder and agoraphobia	20	(9)
Introduction
Table 2. Common Antidepressant Drugs	21	(1)
Table 3. Benzodiazepine Antianxiety Drugs	22	(7)
Beginning medication treatment
Medical history and tests
Concerns about pregnancy
Taking antipanic medications
If you forget a dose
How you will feel
Taking a lower dose
Storing antipanic medications
Running out of medication
Seeing another doctor or having an operation
Taking other medications
Special section: taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)	29	(5)
General information
Table 4. MAOI Antidepressant Drugs	29	(5)
What side effects might occur when someone is beginning MAOI therapy?
What is the ``cheese reaction?''
Do I need to be on a special diet while taking an MAOI?
May I drink alcohol while taking an MAOI?
Is is dangerous to take other medications while taking an MAOI?
Are MAOI blood tests necessary?
Potential physical effects of antipanic medications	34	(4)
Antipanic medications in the body
Do antipanic drugs cause dependency or addiction?
Antipanic drug side effects
Common and uncommon neurological side effects
Effects on the heart
Cancer risks
Sexual side effects
Elderly patients who take antipanic drugs
Children and adolescents
Results of taking antipanic medications	38	(4)
Success rate of medication treatment
``Recovery'' through control
Desired effects of antipanic medications
Length of medication treatment
Reasons treatment may not be working
Treatment that is stopped
The meaning of relapse
Cognitive-behavior therapy for panic disorder and agoraphobia	42	(11)
Introduction
Cognitive therapy
Case history of cognitive-behavior therapy
Cognitive-behavior therapy for panic disorder
Length of cognitive-behavior therapy treatment
Side effects of cognitive-behavior therapy
Interference with cognitive-behavior therapy
Success rate of cognitive-behavior therapy
Systematic desensitization
Finding a cognitive-behavior therapist
Self-help
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Instructions for Phobias	51	(2)
Other treatments for panic disorder and agoraphobia	53	(3)
Psychoanalysis and other forms of psychotherapy
Electroconvulsive therapy
Exercise
Commonly asked questions about panic disorder and agoraphobia	56	(5)
Will panic disorder damage my health?
What is the risk of suicide in persons with panic disorder?
Is it good advice to avoid what bothers you?
Which antipanic medication is best?
Do antipanic medications help get a person's life back in order?
Must a person change his or her lifestyle while taking antipanic medications?
Are families affected by an individual's panic disorder and agoraphobia?
How can families and friends help people with panic disorder and agoraphobia?
How can someone learn everything that is important about panic disorder and agoraphobia?	61	(1)
Suggested Readings	62