Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by multiple severe panic attacks. For many patients with panic disorder, anticipatory attacks, or panic attacks that occur out of the fear of having a panic attack, can be common. Panic disorder can be disabling for some individuals, but it can be successfully treated.
Panic Disorder
Studies indicate that some 6 million American adults have panic disorder. This equates to about 2.7% of the United States population. The average age of onset is 24, though it can appear at any time. Studies also show that about one in three people with panic disorder develop agoraphobia, or a fear of being in a place or situation where escape would be difficult or help might not be available if a panic attack were to occur.
Panic attacks can be particularly distressing for patients, as they are similar in symptoms to heart attacks. Many people with panic disorder seek emergency treatment for panic attacks out of the fear that they are having a heart attack. Conversely, some patients miss the warning signs of a heart condition because they or their doctors mistake them for signs of panic attacks.
Panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, can be disabling. Many people experience lessened productivity with their jobs and problems with social, romantic, and family relationships due to the fear of experiencing another panic attack. People with these disorders are more likely to be unemployed, and many patients whose panic disorder is accompanied by agoraphobia may even find it difficult if not impossible to leave their own homes.
What Are the Symptoms of Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder includes not only the symptoms of panic attacks, but a history of multiple episodes or incidents. For some patients, one panic attack may start just as another is ending. Common symptoms of panic disorder are as follows:
- Panic attacks that peak within 10-20 minutes
- A sensation that you are going crazy
- The fear that you are having a heart attack or a sense of impending doom or death
- A fear of losing control
- Dizziness
- Faintness
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath or a feeling of smothering
- Feelings of detachment or unreality
- Nausea or upset stomach
- A pounding heart or palpitations
- Sweating, hot flashes, or chills
- Trembling or shaking
- Fear of having another panic attack
- Fear of being alone
- Fear of being far from medical help or anywhere that help might not be able to get to you quickly
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