Panic disorder
Recurrent unexpected panic attacks with persistent concern about future attacks or their consequences.
How it presents
recurrent unexpected surges of fear with palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, paresthesias, fear of losing control/dying; ≥1 month of worry or behavior change
Tell it apart from
- Agoraphobia
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Stimulant intoxication
- Medical causes (hyperthyroid, arrhythmia)
Treatment reasoning
CBT with interoceptive exposure, SSRIs/SNRIs; panic control treatment; rule out medical causes first.