Panic Disorder

What is panic disorder?

People who suffer from panic disorder have sudden, unexpected anxiety attacks (or panic attacks) that involve at least four of the following symptoms:

Tip: Click here to watch a presentation on how to recognize and understand anxiety disorders in college students.

Heart palpitations or rapid heart beat
Intense sweating
Trembling or shaking
Shortness of breath
Feelings of choking
Chest pain or discomfort
Feelings of nausea
Feeling dizzy or faint
Feeling detached from your body or feeling that things around you seem unreal
Feeling that you are losing control or going crazy
Fear of dying
Numbness or tingling in limbs
Chills or hot flashes

Once they have had a panic attack, people with panic disorder have intense worry that they will have another attack.

Sometimes this worry is so intense that people suffering from panic disorder will avoid places or situations where it would be difficult to escape or get help if they had another panic attack (e.g., crowded stores or classrooms). This is called agoraphobia.

Want to learn more about panic disorder?

Check out these resources:

Are you concerned that you may have panic disorder?

See our resource database for a list of books, websites, and local options for seeking professional evaluations and treatment.