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Health Differences Across the Lifespan 2 Study Guide Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in elderly populations. Panic Disorder Panic disorder is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress. These sensations often mimic symptoms of a heart attack or other life- threatening medical conditions. As a result, the diagnosis of panic disorder is frequently not made until extensive and costlymedical procedures fail to provide a correct diagnosis or relief. Many people with panic disorder develop intense anxiety between episodes, worrying when and where the next one will strike. In some cases, panic attacks can become so debilitating that the person may develop agoraphobia because they fear another panic attack. To be diagnosed as having panic disorder, a person must experience at least four of the following symptoms during a panic attack: sweating, hot or cold flashes, choking or smothering sensations, racing heart, labored breathing, trembling, chest pains, faintness, numbness, nausea, disorientation, or feelings of dying, losing control, or losing one's mind. Panic attacks can occur in anyone. Chemical or hormonal imbalances, drugs or alcohol, stress, or other situational events can cause panic attacks, which are often mistaken for heart attacks, heart disease, or respiratoryproblems. During panic attacks remain calm, stay with the patient, offer reassurances, use short and clear sentences, and reduce environmental stimuli. When the level of anxiety is mild to moderate, explore possible causes of anxiety, teach signs and symptoms of escalating anxiety, and teach and reinforce appropriate coping mechanisms and strategies. Medications such as benzodiazepines and antidepressants treat panic disorders. Psychotherapy, known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, teaches patients how to view panic attacks differently and demonstrates ways to reduce anxiety. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suffer intensely from recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or rituals (compulsions), which they feel they cannot control. Rituals such as hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed in hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these rituals, however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety. Left untreated, obsessions and the need to perform rituals can take over a person's life. OCD is often a chronic, relapsing illness. Obsessions are intrusive, irrational thoughts or unwanted ideas and impulses that repeatedly well up in a person's mind. The person experiences disturbing thoughts over and over. Examples include, "My hands are contaminated; I must wash them,” "I may have left the gas stove on," and "I am going to injure my child." On one level, the sufferer knows these obsessive thoughts are irrational. But on another level, there is fear these thoughts are true. Trying to avoid such thoughts creates anxiety. Compulsions are repetitive rituals such as hand washing, counting, checking, hoarding, or arranging. An individual repeats these actions, perhaps feeling momentary relief, but without feeling satisfaction or a sense of completion. People with OCD feel they must perform these compulsive rituals or something bad will happen.

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