General Purpose: To inform my audience about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Panic Disorder.
Specific Purpose: To help my audience gain an understanding of the signs and symptoms of Panic Disorder so as they may know what to look for in their own mental health, or within the general population.
Introduction:
Have you ever had an unexplained feeling of fear? Your heart racing, your whole body feels as though it's going to shake apart from itself. Your breathing is deep and heavy, and you feel as though you're not getting enough oxygen, so you just keep breathing, and breathing, faster with each breath? Maybe you have an important test, or are about to play the game of your career. Maybe you're going in for an important surgery, or awaiting the…show more content… Maybe you're about to give a speech in front of hundreds of people, or, even a small classroom. No matter what you do in preperation, you can't shake the overwhelming fear of something, anything...everything..going wrong. Now imagine you feel this way daily, in almost every aspect of your life. According the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, about six million American adults experience panic disorder in a given year. Typically beginning in early adulthood, women are twice as likely as men to have panic disorder.
Body:
Symptoms:
The symptoms of a panic attack come on very abruptly. For instance, you may be feeling fine and suddenly you have tunnel vision. Everything seems so close, but so far away at the same time. You feel as though you are in a dream, but it's all very real, and you're aware of that fact. The more you think about it, the worse it gets. You can't breath, you're dizzy, your chest is tight and heavy. Your hands are shaking and clammy. You can't walk because you feel as