Anxiety disorders
Panic disorder
Panic attacks keep coming back, and the fear of the next one makes you avoid more and more places and activities. With specialist help, you can break this cycle.
In an emergency: 112 · Romanian Green Anti-Suicide Line 0800 801 200 (free; Friday–Sunday, 19:00–07:00)
What is panic disorder
Panic disorder occurs when panic attacks recur and, between them, the fear that another will follow persists. This anticipatory anxiety is what sets it apart from an isolated attack.
About 2–3% of the population develop panic disorder at some point in their life. It is more common in women, and the first episodes usually appear between the ages of 20 and 35.
How to recognise panic disorder
Three elements usually appear together:
- recurrent panic attacks, often without a clear trigger
- a constant fear of another attack
- changes in behaviour to avoid situations linked to the attacks (driving, public transport, crowded shops, situations in which you feel you are not in control)
In addition to these, many patients describe:
- panic attacks during sleep (you wake up in the middle of an episode)
- permanent tension, as if the body were on constant alert
- a feeling that “you are not yourself any more” between episodes
To read about what a panic attack feels like and how long it lasts, see Panic attacks.
How it affects everyday life
Untreated panic disorder tends to get worse over time: the fear of fear grows gradually and restricts the patient’s activities more and more.
Many patients start turning down invitations, changing their work routines, avoiding travel. Some develop agoraphobia: the fear of places from which “you couldn’t easily get out” if an attack were to happen.
Panic disorder responds well to treatment, and with a specialist’s support the cycle of fear of fear can be broken.
When to see a specialist
A psychiatric assessment is worthwhile if:
- you have had more than two panic attacks in recent months
- you often think the attacks could come back
- you have started avoiding situations or places because of this fear
- your life has visibly narrowed in recent months
- the symptoms affect your sleep, work or relationships
- you have tried to manage the situation on your own and it has not worked
The first step
If you recognise yourself in what you’ve read, book a conversation with one of our specialists. Together, we’ll look at what’s going on and what your options are.
Services: Psychiatry · Psychotherapy
See our team and pricing.
This information is for educational purposes and does not replace a specialist consultation.