The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) is the system used to classify, diagnose and describe mental disorders such as anxiety and panic disorders. Some medical professionals are into this type of classification system because it is not really scientific and the diagnosis is greatly subjective which is often necessary for insurance reimbursement and the like.
Panic attack is confusing and for most part inaccurate. This sometimes prevents a proper diagnosis from being made. DSM IV defines social anxiety and panic disorder as a persistent fear of one or more social situations. They said that panic disorder is the avoidance or anxious distress in the feared performance situation which interferes significantly with the person’s normal routine, academic functioning, family relationships or social activities. It may be a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort in which a lot of symptoms are abruptly developed such as: palpitations or accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, chest pains, nausea or dizziness, depersonalization, hot flushes and fear of losing control or dying. The attacks are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance such as drug abuse and alcohol. However, panic attacks are not better accounted for by another
mental disorder. It may leave an open question about the meaning of the disorder as a distinct clinical entity.
According to DSM IV it is important to know that the symptoms of panic attack may lead to many other anxiety disorders and medical conditions. Mostly, people with social anxiety disorder may as well experience anxiety and panic attacks which initially precipitate feelings of a medical emergency like heart attack. It is likewise important to know other helpful considerations like the accompanying symptoms, previous course and family history. Individuals with panic disorder were more likely to seek treatment at earlier ages.
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