Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is characterized by repeated and unexpected panic attacks followed by a period of constant worry about when the next attack will occur.

Many people experience panic attacks without further episodes or complications. Just because you have experienced one or two panic attacks doesn’t necessarily mean you will develop a panic disorder.


People with this disorder experience unexpected, frequent attacks that aren’t triggered by a specific situation, consistently worry about the next panic attack (anticipatory axciety), and begin avoiding places where you have experienced a previous attack (phobic avoidance) which could later lead to agoraphobia (avoidance of any situation where you may not be able to get help or the feeling of losing control in a public place).


While a single panic attack may only last a few minutes, the effects of the experience can leave a lasting imprint. If you have panic disorder, the recurrent panic attacks take an emotional toll. The memory of the intense fear and terror that you felt during the attacks can negatively impact your self-confidence and cause serious disruption to your everyday life.


Symptoms of a panic attack are as follows:


Panic Disorder Test

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  • Your heart seems to pound or race for no reason.
  • You have felt like you can
  • You experience dizziness or faintness for no reason.
  • You have felt detached or not real.
  • Your symptoms have caused you anxiety or depression.
  • You urinate more than usual or fear you may not be near enough to a bathroom.
  • You sometimes feel like you are going to lose control or "go crazy".
  • You sometimes worry about having no one available to go to in case you were having weird body sensations.
  • You have trouble falling or staying asleep.
  • Members of your family have experienced the same problems.
  • You avoid being social in fear of panic symptoms.
  • You have experienced numbness or tingling throughout your body.
  • A doctor has told you nothing is wrong and prescribed you medication for anxiety or depression.
  • Your symptoms have come and gone throughout your life.
  • You worry frequently about dying or becoming ill.
  • You are sometimes afraid to eat for fear of choking.