People with panic disorder (PD) experience repeated panic attacks that typically seem to come out of nowhere.
Their panic attacks strike with no warning and involve an intense surge of fear and powerful symptoms — such as a pounding heartbeat, dizziness, or a sense of being smothered. The attacks can be terrifying, and many people may feel as if they're going crazy or dying.
The Fear of a Panic Attack
For weeks, people with panic disorder may live in fear of the next panic attack — and what that might mean (a life-threatening disease? a mental breakdown?). They may also develop fears (phobias) of places or objects associated with a panic attack.
Some people who suffer from panic disorder make drastic behavior changes, such as quitting a job or avoiding any physical exertion. Over time, they may avoid situations or places where they fear they may not be able to escape or get help if another panic attack occurs.
Common Symptoms of Panic Disorder
An estimated 1% to 2% of people experience panic disorder at some time during their life. The diagnosis is 2 to 3 times more common in women than in men. Most cases of panic disorder begin between late adolescence and the mid-30s.
A family history can put you at risk. If a biological parent or sibling has or has had panic disorder, you're up to 8 times more likely to develop it yourself.
Panic disorder is characterized by repeated and unexpected panic attacks followed by a period of constant worry about when the next attack will occur. These panic attacks include at least four of the following symptoms striking suddenly and peaking within 10 minutes.
Review the list of symptoms of a panic attack.
- Racing or pounding heartbeat
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Feeling short of breath or smothered
- Choking sensation
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or stomach discomfort
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Surreal or detached feeling
- Fear of losing control or going crazy
- Fear of dying
- Numbing or tingling
- Chills or hot flushes
Panic disorder also involves 1 month or more of the following reactions to a panic attack:
- Persistent fear of more panic attacks
- Intense worry about possible causes or effects of the panic attacks (for example, losing control, heart attack, going crazy)
- Significant behavioral changes
Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
About 30% to 50% of people diagnosed with panic disorder also develop agoraphobia. That means they avoid or experience tremendous distress in certain kinds of situations that they've begun to associate with their panic attacks (for example, crowded areas or inside moving vehicles).
When panic disorder progresses this far, people may become housebound or may be able to confront a feared situation only with a trusted companion. Early treatment may help prevent agoraphobia.
More than half of people with panic disorder also experience major depression at some point.
What Causes Panic Disorder?
As with other anxiety disorders, the exact causes of panic disorder are not definitely known. Panic disorder seems to involve an imbalance in the brain's "fear circuit," the parts of the brain that help us respond to situations we see as threatening.
A panic attack seems to be a fear response that is too strong for the situation we're in. Panic disorder may develop when we become afraid of the attacks or the things we associate with them.
Two neurotransmitters thought to play a role in panic disorder are serotonin and norepinephrine. Prescription antidepressant medications, such as Effexor XR, that affect the levels of these natural chemicals in the brain may help relieve symptoms.
Treatment options are available that can help people with panic disorder. Learn more and take action.