What is panic disorder?


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characterized by chronic, repeated, and unexpected panic attacks - bouts of overwhelming fear of being in danger when there is no specific cause for the fear. In-between panic attacks, persons with panic disorder worry excessively about when and where the next attack may occur.

an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent panic (anxiety) attacks, episodes of intense apprehension, fear, or terror associated with somatic symptoms such as dyspnea, palpitations, dizziness, vertigo, faintness, or shakiness and with psychological symptoms such as feelings of unreality (depersonalization or derealization) or fears of dying, going crazy, or losing control; there is usually chronic nervousness and tension between attacks.
A discrete period of intense fear or discomfort, in which four (or more) of the following symptoms
developed abruptly and reached a peak within 10 minutes:

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 (numbness or tingling sensations)
chills or hot flushes
At least one of the attacks has been followed by 1 month (or more) of one (or more) of
the following:

persistent concern about having additional attacks
worry about the implications of the attack or its consequences (e.g., losing control, having a
heart attack, "going crazy")
a significant change in behavior related to the attacks
The Panic Attacks are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug
of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).

The Panic Attacks are not better accounted for by another mental disorder.
It is bad. Very bad.


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