Navigation
[TITLE]

[MESSAGE]

[BUTTONS]

Popular questions...

Content

How is panic disorder diagnosed?

Your doctor will likely take your medical history and perform a physical examination.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is panic disorder?

Panic disorder is diagnosed when panic attacks happen regularly, when they cause you worry and disrupt your daily life.

What are the symptoms of panic disorder?

Panic disorder is when your regular panic attacks - which include symptoms such as a pounding heartbeat, sweating, shaking, chest pain, nausea, feelings of unreality and fear of dying - cause you to worry about them or about other people noticing …

What causes panic disorder?

It is not known what exactly causes panic disorder. It is thought that panic attacks are caused by problems in the circuitry of the brain that controls the physical response to stress.

Who gets panic disorder?

Panic disorder is usually first experienced in adolescence and young adulthood. Women are twice as likely as men to have panic disorder.

How is panic disorder treated?

Panic disorder can be treated by medication as well as by psychotherapy.

Can panic disorder be cured?

Treatment can help panic disorder. In some cases the disorder is completely managed, while in others, treatment helps reduce (but not eliminate completely) the frequency and severity of symptoms.

Will panic disorder clear on its own?

Panic disorder rarely clears on its own.

Can panic disorder be prevented?

Panic disorder cannot be prevented before it occurs.

Is panic disorder serious?

Panic disorder can in some cases cause significant disruption to a persona's life.

Related topics

Diseases & conditions

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder occurs when a woman experiences severe psychological and physical symptoms before menstruation. The symptoms experienced are more severe than those of premenstrual syndrome.…
Diseases & conditions

Phobias

A phobia is an exaggeration of the normal fear response and occurs when a person develops a disproportionate or unrealistic sense of danger in relation to a specific thing or situation. In severe cases, it can be very disruptive to daily life.…
Diseases & conditions

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a condition caused by an overactive thyroid gland. It can lead to an oversupply of hormones that control metabolism, which can cause a wide range of symptoms including a rapid pulse, shaking and hair loss. Treatment involves medication and surgery.…
Diseases & conditions

Loss and grief

Feelings of loss can stem from many things - relationship breakdown, job loss, family separation, miscarriage, loss of health etc. Loss can be accompanied by grief, too, which people experience in different ways - shock, numbness, anger, regret, denial, or feelings of helplessness, isolation or fear. Services are available to help with loss and grief.…
Diseases & conditions

Bullying

Bullying is the use of power by a person or group of people to intentionally cause physical or psychological harm to another person or group of people. It includes humiliating, demeaning or threatening behaviour and can occur anywhere, including at school, home, online or the workplace.…
Diseases & conditions

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can cause significant disruption in a person’s life. It is a reaction to an intense event or period during which a person’s life or safety (or that of a loved one) was in danger.…

About this article

Author: Dr Idan Ben-Barak PhD, MSc, BSc (Med)
First answered: 15 Jul 2015
Last reviewed: 17 Oct 2018
Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Votes: 846 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

×

Content goes in here.