HomeHealth TopicsMental Health BehaviorPanic Disorder
Back to Mental Health Behavior
Panic Disorder
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Mental Health Behavior

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by repeated, unexpected panic attacks that cause intense fear and physical symptoms.

What is panic disorder?

Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that causes repeated panic attacks—sudden periods of intense fear, discomfort, or a sense of losing control. These attacks occur even without real danger and often cause physical symptoms, such as a pounding heartbeat, which can feel like a heart attack.

While many people experience one or two panic attacks in their lifetime, those with panic disorder have repeated attacks. This can lead to constant worry about future attacks and the avoidance of places or situations where previous attacks occurred. If left untreated, it can lead to other health conditions, including depression and substance use disorders.

Causes & Risk Factors

The exact cause of panic disorder is unknown, but researchers believe the following factors play a role:

  • Genetics (it sometimes runs in families)
  • Brain biology and chemistry
  • Environment
  • Major stress

Panic disorder is more common in women than men and often begins in the late teens or early adulthood. It is more likely to develop in people who have experienced trauma, especially in childhood, or those under significant stress.

Symptoms

Panic attacks can happen without warning and last from a few minutes to over an hour. Symptoms include:

  • Sudden and repeated panic attacks of overwhelming anxiety and fear
  • A feeling of being out of control or a fear of death
  • Intense worry about having another attack
  • Avoidance of places or situations where attacks occurred in the past
  • Physical symptoms, such as:
    • Pounding or racing heart
    • Sweating or chills
    • Trembling or shaking
    • Trouble breathing
    • Feeling of choking
    • Weakness or dizziness
    • Chest pain
    • Stomach pain or nausea

Diagnosis

To diagnose panic disorder, a health care provider will:

  • Ask about your medical history and symptoms
  • Check for unrelated physical problems using a physical exam, blood tests (to check thyroid or other conditions), or heart health tests
  • Perform a panic disorder test or refer you to a mental health provider for psychological evaluation

Treatment & Management

Treatment usually includes one or more of the following:

  • Talk therapy (psychotherapy): Includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps you change negative thoughts and reactions to anxiety-inducing situations.
  • Medicines: Including antidepressants (such as SSRIs and SNRIs) and anti-anxiety medicines.

A healthy lifestyle may also help manage symptoms, including avoiding alcohol, reducing caffeine, eating regular meals, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. Joining a support group can also provide coping tips and a sense of community.

Frequently Asked Questions

While both conditions can cause chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath, panic attacks typically peak within ten minutes and resolve on their own without medical intervention. Heart attacks often involve pressure or squeezing in the center of the chest that may radiate to the jaw, neck, or left arm, and symptoms usually persist or worsen. If you are over 40, have risk factors like high blood pressure or diabetes, or if the symptoms are severe and do not subside after a few minutes of calming techniques, seek emergency medical care immediately to rule out cardiac issues.
The most effective immediate strategy is controlled breathing, specifically diaphragmatic breathing, where you inhale slowly through your nose for four counts and exhale through pursed lips for six counts. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which counteracts the fight-or-flight response. Additionally, grounding techniques such as the 5-4-3-2-1 method, where you identify five things you see, four you can touch, three you hear, two you smell, and one you taste, help anchor your attention in the present moment and reduce the intensity of the fear.
Panic disorder is a chronic condition, but it is highly treatable. With consistent therapy and, if necessary, medication, many individuals achieve significant remission where attacks become rare or disappear entirely. However, the underlying predisposition remains, meaning that high levels of stress, lack of sleep, or substance use can trigger a recurrence. Long-term management often involves maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and continuing periodic check-ins with a mental health professional to prevent relapse.
Caffeine is a stimulant that increases heart rate and can mimic the physical symptoms of anxiety, potentially lowering the threshold for a panic attack in susceptible individuals. Alcohol, while initially acting as a depressant that may reduce anxiety, can disrupt sleep architecture and lead to rebound anxiety as it wears off. Both substances can destabilize the nervous system, so clinicians often recommend limiting or eliminating caffeine and avoiding alcohol to maintain stability and reduce the likelihood of unexpected attacks.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss