Statement of Principles concerning panic disorder (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 55 of 2018) (Cth)

Statement of Principles concerning PANIC DISORDER (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 55 of 2018) The Repatriation Medical Authority determines the following Statement of Principles under subsection 196B(2) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

Dated 22 June 2018

The Common Seal of the Repatriation Medical Authority was affixed to this instrument at the direction of:

Professor Nicholas Saunders AO Chairperson

Contents 1 Name 2 Commencement 3 Authority 4 Repeal 5 Application 6 Definitions 7 Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates 8 Basis for determining the factors 9 Factors that must exist 10 Relationship to service 11 Factors referring to an injury or disease covered by another Statement of Principles Schedule 1 - Dictionary 1 Definitions

1 Name This is the Statement of Principles concerning panic disorder (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 55 of 2018). 2 Commencement This instrument commences on 23 July 2018. 3 Authority This instrument is made under subsection 196B(2) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986. 4 Repeal The Statement of Principles concerning panic disorder No. 68 of 2009 (Federal Register of Legislation No. F2016C00975) made under subsections 196B(2) and (8) of the VEA is repealed. 5 Application This instrument applies to a claim to which section 120A of the VEA or section 338 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 applies. 6 Definitions The terms defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary have the meaning given when used in this instrument. 7 Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates (1) This Statement of Principles is about panic disorder and death from panic disorder. Meaning of panic disorder (2) For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, panic disorder means a disorder of mental health meeting the following diagnostic criteria (derived from DSM-5): 1. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks. A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, and during which time four (or more) of the following symptoms occur: Note: The abrupt surge can occur from a calm state or an anxious state. (i) palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate; (ii) sweating; (iii) trembling or shaking; (iv) sensations of shortness of breath or smothering; (v) feelings of choking; (vi) chest pain or discomfort; (vii) nausea or abdominal distress; (viii) feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed or faint; (ix) chills or heat sensations; (x) paraesthesias (numbness or tingling sensations); (xi) derealisation (feelings of unreality) or depersonalisation (being detached from oneself); (xii) fear of losing control or "going crazy"; or (xiii) fear of dying.