History and Statistics

History:

According to Ronald L. Hoffman, MD, CNS (2009) Panic Disorders roots lie in Greek mythology most notably the Greek demi-god pan. The Greek demi-god “Pan was a mischievous forest sprite inhabiting he lonely stretches of wilderness that separated the Greek city-states.”Pan would lie and wait in the buses for his victims mostly distant travelers walking at night then he would rustle some buses. Basically scaring them so bad that they would never come the same way without experiencing a wave of apprehension. Thus did the term panic originate Ronald L. Hoffman, MD, CNS (2009)

ANGST J. (1998) explains panic disorders are not only an psychological condition there is possibly something more to the puzzle. There for more research needs to be conducted to determine the cause. “Females are almost twice as likely as males to suffer panic disorder, and about seven times as likely to suffer repeated panic attacks. Overall, panic disorder or panic attacks occur in up to one in ten of the general population.” ANGST J. (1998)

Good (2002) explains that in the early 1980's, Panic Disorder was just becoming a diagnosable disorder. Prior to the 1980's, symptoms of Panic Disorder may have been diagnosed as stress, severe anxiety, or depression. Freud was the first to describe a syndrome very similar to what is now called "panic disorder." However, Freud's description was labeled "anxiety neurosis."

According to Croft (2008) throughout history, treatment for anxiety and extreme stress were not effective but included soaking in very cold water, blood letting, or various herbs and balms.

Barlow and Durand (2009) state that Agoraphobia is a Greek word meaning busy shopping area and was first used by Karl Westphal in the in 1870's. This explains why Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia (PDA) involves the person's fear of being in a place where a panic attack could occur or has occurred.

Statistics:

• Prevalence: 1.7% of Adults in the U.S. (ages 18-54) (NIMH, 2002).
  
• Gender: Women:Men ratio - 2:1
• Age of Onset: Late teen years or early adulthood. 50% diagnosed develop it before the age of 24 (NIIMH, 2002).
  
• Cultural Differences: Similar prevalence rates exist worldwide as well as among various ethnic groups within the United States (Barlow & Durand, 2009).
  
• Other Statistics: 30% of patients suffer from alcohol abuse and 17% abuse drugs (NIMH, 2002).
• World Wide Prevalence