Panic Disorder

A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear that comes without warning and without any obvious reason. It is far more intense than having anxiety or the feeling of being “stressed out” that most people experience. Panic attacks reach full intensity within a few minutes, and diminish slowly 30 minutes to several hours later. Commonly, the individual may end up in an emergency medical facility following the first attack with complaints of chest pain, and may be even misdiagnosed as having heart attacks. The first attack often triggers subsequent attacks as severe as the initial attack. One out of every 75 people will experience a panic attack at some time in their lives.

Associated Features

• Palpitations
• Sweating
• Trembling/Shaking
• Shortness of breath
• Choking
• Chest pain
• Nausea or abdominal distress
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Derealization or Depersonalization
• Fear of losing control or “going crazy”
• Fear of dying
• Tingling in fingers or toes (”pins & needles”)
• Sudden chills or hot flashes