Definition
Panic disorder refers to a disorder whereby an individual experiences sudden and spontaneous attacks of anxiety and fear. The panic attacks lead to agoraphobia, which is the feeling of anxiety that one gets for the fear of being in situations where one cannot get help in case of a panic attack. These situations include, but not limited to, being in crowds, being left alone or being near bridges.
Clark’s theory of catastrophic interpretations
According to Clark’s theory, panic attacks are caused by faulty and maladaptive interpretations of the sensations within the body. For example, sensations that are normal to healthy individuals can be perceived as ...