Panic attacks and panic disorder

[Merna]

A panic attack is a brief period of extreme distress, anxiety, or fear that begins suddenly and is accompanied by physical and/or emotional symptoms. Panic disorder involves recurrent panic attacks that lead to excessive worry about future attacks and/or behavior changes intended to avoid situations that might trigger an attack.

• Panic attacks can cause such symptoms as chest pain, a sensation of choking, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath.
• Doctors base the diagnosis on the person