T7 – 3.3 What are the Differentiating Factors of PTSD and Panic Disorder?

What are the Differentiating Factors of PTSD and Panic Disorder?

• Maladaptive behavior changes associated with PTSD are done to: (1) avoid stimuli related to the trauma, and (2) avoid perceived threat and danger.

• • Maladaptive behavior changes associated with panic disorder are done to: (1) mitigate the likelihood of experiencing a panic attack, and (2) mitigate the potential adverse consequences of a panic attack.

• Panic attacks experienced by individuals with PTSD are predictable and have an identifiable cause (e.g., an individual with PTSD has a panic attack inside a mall because they feel like they are in danger).

• • Panic attacks experienced by individuals with panic disorder are unexpected and occur “out of the blue”.