Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder is a topic covered in the Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide.

To view the entire topic, please log in or purchase a subscription.

Official website of the Johns Hopkins Antibiotic (ABX), HIV, Diabetes, and Psychiatry Guides, powered by Unbound Medicine. Johns Hopkins Guide App for iOS, iPhone, iPad, and Android included. Explore these free sample topics:

Johns Hopkins Guides

Coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)Coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)

COVID-19 December 2020 Update: Therapies and VaccinesCOVID-19 December 2020 Update: Therapies and Vaccines

Moderna COVID-19 VaccineModerna COVID-19 Vaccine

BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccine (BioNTech/Pfizer)BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccine (BioNTech/Pfizer)

Managing Stress and Coping with COVID-19Managing Stress and Coping with COVID-19

Managing Sleep Problems during COVID-19Managing Sleep Problems during COVID-19

-- The first section of this topic is shown below --

DEFINITION

  • Recurrent spontaneous panic attacks characterized by sudden onset of signs and symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, sensation of choking or being smothered, trembling, sweating, dizziness, nausea, paresthesias, apprehension, fear, and a sense of impending doom. Peak intensity is reached within minutes, and attacks typically last less than 30 minutes[1].
  • Panic attacks can occur in other anxiety disorders and in people who do not have a mental illness. The key feature of panic disorder is the prominent fear or worry about having another panic attack or what the physical symptoms of the panic attack mean (e.g., "I am having a heart attack," or "There is something terribly wrong with me").

-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please log in or purchase a subscription --

DEFINITION

  • Recurrent spontaneous panic attacks characterized by sudden onset of signs and symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, sensation of choking or being smothered, trembling, sweating, dizziness, nausea, paresthesias, apprehension, fear, and a sense of impending doom. Peak intensity is reached within minutes, and attacks typically last less than 30 minutes[1].
  • Panic attacks can occur in other anxiety disorders and in people who do not have a mental illness. The key feature of panic disorder is the prominent fear or worry about having another panic attack or what the physical symptoms of the panic attack mean (e.g., "I am having a heart attack," or "There is something terribly wrong with me").

There's more to see -- the rest of this entry is available only to subscribers.