Panic
disorder (PD) is characterized by attacks of terror that cause tremor,
dizziness and breathing difficulties. Panic attacks begin abruptly and reach
their peak in 10 minutes or less. They seem to appear without reason and are
often mistaken for heart attacks. Consequently, people begin a series of
medical investigations, sure to be suffering from heart problems, and even when
medical examinations show that everything is normal, the physical manifestations
of panic reinforce the fear of a heart attack which leads to more complex
analyses or treatments in order to find a remedy for symptoms such as
palpitations. Normal changes in heart rate are noted and reinforce the idea
that a heart attack is imminent. When the fear of panic attacks becomes
excessive people can abandon their jobs and refuse to go out of their house. A
common complication of panic disorder is agoraphobia, which is the terror of
being in a situation which is perceived difficult with no way out, which is a
combination of claustrophobia (fear of physical closed places) and hypochondria
(fear of dying).
The Vital Needs Theory - page 38