panic disorder
Recurring terror episodes
Panic disorder is a mental health condition marked by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—sudden surges of intense fear with physical symptoms like racing heart, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
The attacks strike without obvious triggers, and sufferers often develop persistent anxiety about when the next one will occur.
This anticipatory dread can lead to avoidance behaviors: Her panic disorder kept her from driving on highways.
Awareness of abnormal heartbeat
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- dizzinessUnsteady, spinning sensation
nausea · chest pain · shortness of breath · numbness · choking · hot flashes · tachycardia · depersonalization
Extreme, overwhelming fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- helplessnessLacking ability to cope
- fear of dyingDread of mortality
anticipatory anxiety · hypervigilance · avoidance · agoraphobia · catastrophizing · rumination · intrusive thoughts · shame
Causing severe impairment
- disablingCausing loss of function
- avoidance behaviorSteering clear of stressors
- social withdrawalRetreating from interpersonal contact
- quality of lifeGeneral life satisfaction
relationship strain · limitation · restriction · dependence · loss of independence · sick leave · emergency visits · misdiagnosis
Treatment restructuring harmful thought patterns
- exposure therapyAnxiety treatment through confrontation
- antidepressantsMedications treating clinical despair
- benzodiazepinesSedative-hypnotic drug class
- SSRIsSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
psychiatrist · psychotherapy · breathing exercises · grounding techniques · mindfulness · support groups · mental health counseling · desensitization
Psychiatric diagnosis guidebook
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- comorbiditySimultaneous presence of diseases
- agoraphobiaFear of public spaces
- major depressionSerious psychiatric mood condition
post-traumatic stress · psychopathology · differential diagnosis · mental illness · chronic condition · onset · prognosis · severity
palpitations
Awareness of abnormal heartbeat
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- sweatingMoisture through pores
dizziness · nausea · chest pain · shortness of breath · numbness · choking · hot flashes · tachycardia · depersonalization · derealization
terror
Extreme, overwhelming fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- helplessnessLacking ability to cope
fear of dying · anticipatory anxiety · hypervigilance · avoidance · agoraphobia · catastrophizing · rumination · intrusive thoughts · shame · embarrassment
debilitating
Causing severe impairment
- disablingCausing loss of function
- avoidance behaviorSteering clear of stressors
- social withdrawalRetreating from interpersonal contact
quality of life · relationship strain · limitation · restriction · dependence · loss of independence · sick leave · emergency visits · misdiagnosis · stigma
cognitive-behavioral therapy
Treatment restructuring harmful thought patterns
- exposure therapyAnxiety treatment through confrontation
- antidepressantsMedications treating clinical despair
- benzodiazepinesSedative-hypnotic drug class
SSRIs · psychiatrist · psychotherapy · breathing exercises · grounding techniques · mindfulness · support groups · mental health counseling · desensitization · medication management
DSM-5
Psychiatric diagnosis guidebook
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- comorbiditySimultaneous presence of diseases
- agoraphobiaFear of public spaces
major depression · post-traumatic stress · psychopathology · differential diagnosis · mental illness · chronic condition · onset · prognosis · severity
- Anxietyanxiety, nervousness, worry, generalized anxiety, dread
- disordersADHD, anxiety, dysfunction, autism, anxiety disorders
- dysfunctionserectile dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, thyroid dysfunction, organ failure, heart failure
- Mental Disordersschizophrenia, depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD
- mental illnessschizophrenia, mental illness, psychosis, depression, neurosis
- Child Psychiatrychild psychiatrist, child psychiatry, child psychologist, child psychology, child mental health
panic disordermental wellness
Healthy state of mind
emotional stability · sound mind · mental health · psychological well-being · psychological health
panic disordercalm
Free from agitation
composure · serenity · tranquility · calmness · self-possession
panic, disorder, disordered, panicky, panics, panicked, panicking, disordering, panic attacks