People with panic disorder have feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly with no warning. They can't predict when an attack will occur, and many develop intense anxiety between episodes, worrying when and where the next one will strike.
When a panic attack strikes, most likely your heart pounds and you may feel sweaty, weak, faint, or dizzy. Your hands may tingle or feel numb, and you might feel flushed or chilled. You may have chest pain or smothering sensations, a sense of unreality, or fear of impending doom or loss of control. You may genuinely believe you're having a heart attack or stroke, losing your mind, or on the verge of death. Attacks can occur any time, even during nondream sleep. While most attacks average a couple of minutes, occasionally they can go on for up to 10 minutes. In rare cases, they may last an hour or more.
Common symptoms:
- palpitations, pounding heart or rapid heart rate
sweating
tremor
sensations of smothering or shortness of breath
feeling of choking
chest pain or discomfort
nausea or abdominal distress
dizziness, lightheadedness or faint
derealization, depersonalization
fear of losing control or going crazy
fear of dying
parasthesia
hot flashes
When the symptoms of PD lead to avoidance of situations in which escape might be difficult or help might be unavailable in the event of a panic attack, the individual is said to have agoraphobia, which may include avoidance of such situations as driving, using public transportation, travelling, being alone, being in crowds, and shopping.