Canadian Medical Guide > Psychiatry and Psychology > Mental Disorders > Anxiety Disorders > Panic Disorder Terms and Definitions

Panic Disorder

Medical Definition:	A type of anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected panic attacks that last minutes or, rarely, hours. Panic attacks begin with intense apprehension, fear or terror and, often, a feeling of impending doom. Symptoms experienced during a panic attack include dyspnea or sensations of being smothered; dizziness, loss of balance or faintness; choking sensations; palpitations or accelerated heart rate; shakiness; sweating; nausea or other form of abdominal distress; depersonalization or derealization; paresthesias; hot flashes or chills; chest discomfort or pain; fear of dying and fear of not being in control of oneself or going crazy. Agoraphobia may also develop. Similar to other anxiety disorders, it may be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.
Guide Notes:	note category: do not confuse with PANIC (Cat F1)
Also Called:	Panic Attacks
Previously Indexed:	Anxiety Disorders (1978-1991),Fear (1978-1991),Panic (1978-1991)

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