Symptoms of Panic Disorder
By Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D.
Panic disorder affects about 6 million adult Americans and is twice as common in women as in men.
attack but never have another. For those who do have panic disorder, it's important to seek treatment as a
preventative measure. Untreated, the disorder can become disabling.
If you’re having a panic attack, you may genuinely believe you're having a heart attack, losing your mind,
or on the verge of death. Panic attacks can occur at any time, even during sleep. An attack generally peaks
within 10 minutes, but some can last much longer. Some symptoms of a panic attack may include:
Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
Sweating, trembling or shaking
Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
Feeling of choking
Chest pain or discomfort
Nausea or abdominal distress
Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
Fear of losing control or going crazy
Fear of dying
Paresthesias (numbing or tingling sensations)
Chills or hot flushes
Panic disorder is often accompanied by other serious conditions such as depression, drug abuse, or alcoholism
and may lead to the avoidance of places or situations where panic attacks have occurred. For example,
if you consistently have panic attacks while you're on an airplane, you may develop a fear of flying.
If panic attacks occur in a number of contexts, your life and activities could become extremely limited.
Sometimes every situation becomes a source of anxiety and people become afraid to leave their house. This
condition is called agoraphobia and about one-third of people with panic disorder develop this problem.
Fortunately, early treatment of panic disorder can often prevent co-occurring conditions.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
Fredricks, R. (2008). Healing & wholeness: Complementary and alternative therapies for mental health. Bloomington,IN: Authorhouse.
San Jose Therapy Counseling Psychotherapy psychotherapist therapist
