Panic Disorder

Summary

Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder. It causes panic attacks, which are sudden feelings of terror when there is no real danger. You may feel as if you are losing control. You may also have physical symptoms, such as:

• Fast heartbeat
• Chest or stomach pain
• Breathing difficulty
• Weakness or dizziness
• Sweating
• Feeling hot or a cold chill
• Tingly or numb hands

Panic attacks can happen anytime, anywhere, and without warning. You may live in fear of another attack and may avoid places where you have had an attack. For some people, fear takes over their lives and they cannot leave their homes.

Panic disorder is more common in women than men. It usually starts when people are young adults. Sometimes it starts when a person is under a lot of stress. Most people get better with treatment. Therapy can show you how to recognize and change your thinking patterns before they lead to panic. Medicines can also help.

NIH: National Institute of Mental Health

National Institute of Mental Health

Patient Handouts

• Agoraphobia Medical Encyclopedia
• Panic disorder Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America Anxiety and Depression Association of America
• Find a Therapist Anxiety and Depression Association of America
• Help for Mental Illnesses National Institute of Mental Health
• NAMI NAMI
• National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Panic Disorder National Institutes of Health

Encyclopedia

• Hyperventilation Medical Encyclopedia

Treatments and Therapies

• Mental Health Medications National Institute of Mental Health
• Psychotherapies National Institute of Mental Health

Start Here

• Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Panic Disorder American Academy of Family Physicians
• Panic Disorder: When Fear Overwhelms National Institute of Mental Health

Children

• Panic Disorder American Academy of Pediatrics
• Panic Disorder in Children and Adolescents American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Statistics and Research

• Panic Disorder among Adults National Institute of Mental Health

Diagnosis and Tests

• Panic Disorder Test National Library of Medicine

Journal Articles

• Panic Disorder