DISORDERS

This section will teach you a little about each of the disorders that we diagnose and treat.

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Panic Disorder With and Without Agoraphobia
• Specific Phobia
• Health Related Anxiety
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Trichotillomania and Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Panic Disorder With and Without Agoraphobia

Approximately 3% of the adult populations suffer from panic disorder. Twice as many girls and women are likely to suffer from panic disorder than are boys and men. Those who suffer from panic disorder get sudden seemingly inexplicable physical symptoms that they fear and mistakenly believe might be symptoms of illness, fainting, heart attack, insanity or impending loss of control or impending death. The sudden onset of multiple feared physical symptoms is called a panic attack. When patients with panic attacks begin to avoid situations that they think might trigger panic attacks, then they are diagnosed as having agoraphobia. Adults with agoraphobia may find that activities that prevent them from quick escape are difficult or impossible to complete when they have agoraphobia. The may avoid driving in busy or expressway traffic, sitting in crowded restaurants or theatres or traveling outside their “safety zone.” Patients with agoraphobia rely upon “safety signals” to help them live their daily life, things that they believe will keep them safe from panic. Safety signals can be things such as carrying anxiety medication, only traveling with a spouse or children, only going places with a cell phone to use to call for help, or only traveling to places that are located near a major medical center.

Treatment for panic disorder includes interoceptive exposure. Interoceptive exposure is practicing inducing the physical symptoms associated with panic. Treatment may also include in vivo exposure, which is practicing the real life situations that panic makes you or avoid. Cognitive therapy is also used to help your or learn to identify the mistaken beliefs that promote anxiety and avoidance and to successfully challenge them. AATC staff will help you overcome your agoraphobia by practicing the real life situations that panic makes difficult. Staff will accompany you during driving, shopping, exercise or other activities that panic makes difficult. Our goal is to ensure that you learn to regain your lifestyle regardless of panic.

LEARN MORE

Click her to listen to Dr. Seoka Salstrom discuss treatment about Panic Disorder.

For more detailed information about panic disorder and agoraphobia and the science behind the treatments that AATC provides, go to:
Adaa.org