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Panic Disorder is marked by repeated panic attacks, sometimes called "anxiety attacks." Panic attacks are sudden bursts of fear or terror that sometimes occur "out of the blue" for no identifiable reason. Often, panic attacks may feel like medical emergencies. In fact, many people with panic disorder go to the emergency room because they think they are having a heart attack.

Symptoms of a panic attack include:

• Racing heart or palpitations

• Sweating
• Fear of dying, losing control, or going crazy
• Chest pain
• Faintness
• Dizziness
• Trembling
• Hot and cold flashes
• Shortness of breath
• Choking
• Nausea
• Tingling
• Weakness
• Feelings of unreality

People with Panic Disorder usually worry that they will have a panic attack in a place where there is no easy escape, such as a shopping mall or a city bus. They might begin to avoid these places, preferring instead to only go to places where escape will be easy. In time, this avoidance can grow and the person is able to go to fewer and fewer places. This pattern of avoidance is called Agoraphobia. People with Agoraphobia can sometimes become completely housebound because of their fears.

Do you have Panic Disorder?	Print this questionnaire
Have you ever had the following symptoms develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10 minutes:
Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate?	YES	NO
Sweating?	YES	NO
Trembling or shaking?	YES	NO
A feeling of shortness of breath or smothering?	YES	NO
A feeling of choking?	YES	NO
Chest pain or discomfort?	YES	NO
Nausea or abdominal distress?	YES	NO
Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint?	YES	NO
Feeling unreal or detached from yourself?	YES	NO
Fear of losing control or going crazy?	YES	NO
Fear of dying?	YES	NO
Numbness or tingling sensations?	YES	NO
Chills or hot flushes?	YES	NO
Have these episodes happened repeatedly?	YES	NO
Have these episodes ever occurred "out of the blue", for no apparent reason?	YES	NO
Have you had persistent concern about having additional attacks for a month or more?	YES	NO
Have you worried about the implications of the attack or its consequences (e.g., losing control, having a heart attack, "going crazy") for a month or more?	YES	NO
Have you significantly changed your behavior, because of the attacks, for a month or more?	YES	NO

You might have Panic Disorder if all of the following are true:

• You answered YES to at least four of items 1-13
• You answered YES to items 14 and 15
• You answered YES to at least one of items 16, 17, or 18

Note: This questionnaire is for informational purposes only and is not intended to function as a psychological or psychiatric assessment.  Diagnosis of psychiatric disorders requires a careful evaluation by a trained professional. Click here to learn how to get help for this condition at the Anxiety Disorders Center.

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