PSYC 3F20 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Sympathetic Nervous System, Panic Attack, Panic Disorder
20 Jan 2016
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Psyc 3f20 lecture 14: panic disorder and agorphobia. Amygdala detects presents threat and activates emotional response through hypothalamus and brain stem. Norepinephrine, adrenaline trigger arousal of sympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic nervous system increased heart rate, respiration and stimulates adrenal glands, mobilizes body during times of stress or danger, promotes alarm reactions, motivates automatic behavior such as escapes or defensive aggressions. Panic attack is an abrupt, intense fear in the absence of actual threat. Panic smptoms are a by-product of sympathetic nervous system arousal. A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense response of discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, during which time four or more of the following 13 symptoms occur. One of the attacks has been followed by at least one month. Or one or both of the following occurs: Persistent concern or worry about additional panic attack or their consequence. Significant maladaptive change in behavior related to the attack.
