People who have a panic disorder tend to avoid exercise.
The exercise avoidance in a patient with a panic disorder may be a consequence of:
(1) fear of triggering a panic attack
(2) being reminded of a panic attack by exercise-induced tachycardia, tachypnea, etc
(3) irrational fear of a heart attack or other health problem
A patient with agoraphobia may be unable to exercise outside of the home.
Complications of exercise avoidance:
(1) obesity (which may be associated with degenerative arthritis in knees and hips)
(2) increased cardiovascular risk
(3) deconditioning
(4) reinforcement of panic disorder
Differential diagnosis: Someone with an underlying disease (such as ischemic heart disease) where excessive exertion could trigger an adverse event.
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Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic, Psychiatry
ICD-10: ,
