Diagnosis Dictionary

Panic Disorder (Symptoms)

Panic disorder is characterized by uncontrollable episodes of fear and its physical manifestations, such as heart palpitations, sweating, and dizziness. Worry about having an panic attack may bring about the additional stress of chronic anxiety.

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To be formally diagnosed with panic disorder, a patient must have experienced either four panic attacks in four weeks, or one or more attacks followed by at least a month of continual anxiety about having another episode. During one of these attacks, at least four of these symptoms must peak within 10 minutes.

  • Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
  • Sweating
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Shortness of breath or a sensation of smothering
  • A choking feeling
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Nausea or abdominal distress
  • Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
  • Feeling detached from oneself
  • Fear of losing control or of going crazy
  • Fear of dying
  • Numbness or tingling sensation
  • Chills or hot flashes
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