Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. A panic attack is a sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches its peak within minutes. During a panic attack, individuals may experience a variety of physical and emotional symptoms, including a rapid heartbeat, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and a feeling of losing control or even dying. Panic disorder can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, leading to avoidance behaviors and a heightened state of anxiety about future attacks.
The hallmark of panic disorder is the recurrent occurrence of panic attacks. These episodes are unpredictable and can happen at any time, whether the person is at rest, at work, or asleep. The physical symptoms of a panic attack include:
Along with these physical symptoms, panic attacks also come with intense psychological distress. Individuals often feel an overwhelming sense of fear, terror, or impending doom. They may also feel like they are losing control, detaching from reality, or experiencing a heart attack or other life-threatening situation.
In order for an individual to be diagnosed with panic disorder, they must experience recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and at least one of the attacks must be followed by a month or more of persistent worry about additional attacks or significant behavioral changes, such as avoiding places where panic attacks have occurred in the past.