What is Panic Disorder?<\/strong><\/p>\n Up to 4 people in every 100 will experience moments of overwhelming fear and anxiety that reach a peak in less than 10 minutes and appear to come on suddenly and unexpectedly. During these attacks it is not unusual to experience symptoms such as dizziness, a rapid heart beat, sweating, numbness, fear of a heart attack or of dying, shaking, nausea as well as other physical and psychological sensations. Many people with such symptoms are able to report feelings of anxiety dating back to childhood and adolescence.<\/p>\n After a person experiences just one or two panic attacks they begin to anxiously anticipate and fear when the next one will come. As the fear of another attack increases, the individuals\u2019 day to day life can be affected as they try to avoid situations where panic attacks can or have occurred. In severe cases, some individuals end up developing agoraphobia<\/strong>, which is a fear of going outside. Those who suffer from agoraphobia may become housebound and unable to function day-to-day.<\/p>\n Panic attacks can manifest differently in children and adults simply because of lifestyle differences. In children, panic and anxiety often materialize in the form of school phobias, fear of performing (i.e. recitals, oral presentations), at home where they are often afraid of the dark or of going upstairs and downstairs alone, as well as in social situations such as meeting new people.<\/p>\n In adults, panic disorders can disrupt the marital relationship as the individual may withdraw socially and from day to day activities as a way of avoiding having another attack. It is also not uncommon for people to turn down business opportunities and to suffer from poor productivity at work as a result of avoiding situations where panic attacks may occur.<\/p>\n As well, many children and adults who are suffering from panic disorder are at greater risk of having comorbid depression- whether as a primary or secondary disorder. Depressive symptoms are important to look for and note because a diagnosis of comorbid depression could alter treatment and therapy techniques.<\/p>\n A Self Test for Panic Disorder<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div> If you think that you may have panic disorder, complete the following questionnaire. Check off any of the symptoms if you have had them in the past month.\n <\/p> <\/ul><\/div>\n