How Common are Panic Attacks?
• In a given year, 1 to 2% of the U.S. population has panic disorder. • Women are twice as likely as men to develop panic disorder. • Panic disorder typically strikes in young adulthood. Roughly half of all people who have panic disorder develop the condition before age 24. What Causes Panic Disorder? The exact cause of panic disorder is unknown and is the subject of intense scientific investigation. Possible causes include heredity, other biological factors, stressful life events, and overreacting to normal bodily sensations. Some research suggests panic attacks occur when a suffocation alarm mechanism in the brain erroneously fires, falsely reporting that death is imminent. What Treatments Are Available for Panic Disorder? Treatment for panic disorder includes medications and a type of psychotherapy known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, which teaches people how to view panic attacks differently and demonstrates ways to reduce anxiety. NIMH is conducting a large-scale study to evalua
