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Moderate severity
· Psychiatry
Panic Disorder
Sudden surges of fear · Heart-attack-like
Sudden surges of intense fear with physical symptoms — racing heart, breathlessness, dizziness — that peak in 10 minutes. Therapy plus SSRIs work well.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Affects 2–3%
- Typical age
- Late teens to 30s
- Outlook
- Highly treatable
- System
- Mind
Reviewed by a verified Psychiatry doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Genetics
- High stress, trauma
- Caffeine, stimulants
- Thyroid imbalance
- Sleep deprivation
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Sudden racing heart
- Sweating, trembling, dizziness
- Feeling of choking
- Sense of impending doom
- Fear of recurrence
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- CBT — gold standard
- SSRIs / SNRIs
- Short-term benzo (avoid long-term)
- Avoid stimulants
- Treat thyroid if abnormal
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Limit caffeine, energy drinks
- Manage sleep
- Treat thyroid
- Avoid stimulant drugs
Do’s
- Practice diaphragm breathing
- Stick with CBT — exposure works
- Carry a coping card
- Stay engaged, don't avoid
Don’ts
- Self-medicate with alcohol
- Take benzodiazepines daily
- Avoid every trigger location
- Trust internet self-diagnosis
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.