Panic Disorder
Symptoms:
Sudden and repeated panic attacks of overwhelming anxiety and fear
A feeling of being out of control or a fear of death during a panic attack
An intense worry about another panic attack
A fear or avoidance of places and situations where they had panic attacks in the past
Physical symptoms during a panic attack, such as:
Pounding or racing heart
Sweating or chills
Trembling or shaking
Trouble breathing
The feeling that they are choking
Weakness or dizziness
Chest pain
Stomach pain or nausea
MedlinePlus (2024)
Stats:
An estimated 4.7% of U.S. adults experience panic disorder at some time in their lives.
An estimated 2.7% of U.S. adults had panic disorder in the past year.
Past year prevalence of panic disorder among adults was higher for females (3.8%) than for males (1.6%).
Of adults with panic disorder in the past year, degree of impairment ranged from mild to serious.
“Panic disorder is more common in women than men. It often starts in the late teens or early adulthood. Sometimes it starts when a person is under a lot of stress. People who have had trauma, especially in childhood, are more likely to develop panic disorder.”
Information obtained from the NIH (2025) and MedlinePlus (2024) Panic Disorder: MedlinePlus