IS PANIC DISORDER A BIOLOGICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER?
Adapted from “Panic Disorder: The Medical Point of View” by William Kernodle, M.D. This is a controversial subject that has divided research and treatment of panic disorder. All human behavior has a biological basis at the nerve cell level, but panic disorder also involves exaggerated thought and behavior patterns. One theory that includes both biological and behavioral theories proposes that the components of panic disorder: the panic attack, anticipatory anxiety, and agoraphobia, are associated with three distinct areas of the brain. These areas are the brain stem, limbic system, and frontal cortex, respectively. Panic attacks are triggered by stimulation of areas in the brain stem that control the release of adrenalin. Stimulation of the locus ceruleus produces most of the physical symptoms of panic. Antidepressants seem to block panic attacks by reducing the firing rate of the locus ceruleus. The brain stem is also stimulated by higher brain areas which may be involved with stress.
