Condition
Panic Disorder
Sudden surges of intense fear, and the dread of the next one.
A panic attack is a false alarm from the body's threat system: real physical symptoms, no actual danger. Many people first experience one in an emergency room, convinced it is a heart attack.
Panic disorder is the pattern that follows — where fear of the next attack starts dictating where you go. It responds well to treatment.
Signs people often notice
- Sudden episodes of intense fear peaking within minutes
- Racing heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness
- Dizziness, trembling or numbness
- A sense of unreality or losing control
- Avoiding places where an attack happened before
This list is descriptive, not diagnostic. Recognising yourself in it does not mean you have panic disorder, and not recognising yourself does not mean you don't. Only a proper evaluation can tell you that.