Panic disorder
Panic disorder
Panic disorder means you keep having panic attacks, often without any clear reason.
Everyone feels anxious or panicky at certain points in life. It's a natural response to stressful or dangerous situations.
But if you have panic disorder, these feelings of anxiety, stress and panic happen often, and can strike at any time.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
What causes panic disorder?
Doctors don't yet know the exact cause of panic disorder. Most believe it develops from a mix of physical and psychological factors working together rather than any single trigger. Things that may play a role include:
- Going through a traumatic experience, such as the death of a loved one
- Having a close family member who also has panic disorder
- An imbalance in the brain's neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers that help regulate mood and the body's stress response
- Breathing too fast or too deeply (hyperventilating)
- A tendency to interpret situations in a catastrophic or worst-case way
Diagnosis
Everyone with panic disorder has panic attacks, but not everyone who has panic attacks has panic disorder.
Doctors will only diagnose panic disorder if you have recurring, unexpected panic attacks, followed by at least one month of continuous worry about having further attacks.
Talking to your doctor
Your doctor will ask you to describe the symptoms you have been experiencing, how often they occur, and in what situations.
It is important to tell your doctor how you have been feeling and how your symptoms have affected you.
It can sometimes be difficult to talk about your feelings and personal life, but try not to feel anxious or embarrassed.
Your doctor needs to understand your symptoms to make the right diagnosis, so they can recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.
Treatment
Management of panic disorder
Treatment aims to reduce the number of panic attacks you have and ease your symptoms.
Talking therapies and medicine are the main treatments for panic disorder. You may need one of these treatments or a combination of both. No single treatment works for everyone. You may need to try different treatments before finding one that works for you.
Talking therapies
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is used to treat panic disorder. It involves having regular sessions with a therapist.
They can teach you ways of changing your behaviour to help you manage an attack.
Medication
If you and your doctor think it might be helpful, you may be prescribed medication.
If you want to stop taking any medication you’ve been prescribed you should discuss this with your GP before stopping.
Referral to a specialist
If your symptoms do not improve after CBT, medicine and connecting with a support group, your GP may refer you to a mental health specialist. You might see a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
The specialist will carry out an assessment and create a treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms.
Things you can try yourself
The next time you feel a panic attack coming on:
- stay where you are, if possible
- try to breathe slowly and deeply
- remind yourself that you’re not in danger and the attack will pass
Fighting a panic attack can often make it worse. Instead, during a panic attack, reassure yourself by accepting that the attack isn’t life-threatening. Focus on the fact that the attack will eventually end and try your best to let it pass.
Read more about how to deal with panic and anxiety
Try our self help guide. It’s based on cognitive behavioural therapy and aims to help you:
- understand panic and panic attacks
- understand symptoms of panic attacks and their purpose
- cope with panic attacks and make them less severe
Support groups can provide information and advice to help you manage your panic disorder. They’re also a good way of meeting other people who’ve had similar experiences.
You might find the following links useful:
- Mind: understanding anxiety and panic attacks
- SAMH – Anxiety and panic attacks
- Young Scot’s AyeFeel page all about anxiety
- NoPanic
Ask your GP about support groups for panic disorder near you.
Find anxiety services in your area
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