Am I Experiencing Panic Attacks?
A symptom checklist to help clients reflect on experiences of panic attacks and explore whether a professional assessment may be helpful.
Am I Experiencing Panic Attacks?
Panic is a surge of intense fear. It is usually accompanied by strong bodily sensations (like your heart racing or finding it harder to breathe) and catastrophic thoughts (like thinking you might lose control or die). When these experiences come on very suddenly, it is called a panic attack. Panic attacks can feel terrifying, but they aren’t dangerous.
The Am I Experiencing Panic Attacks? tool explores some of the common symptoms and sensations that come with panic attacks. Answering the following questions can give you an idea of whether it might be helpful to arrange a professional assessment to discuss these experiences.
Overview
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes and are accompanied by a range of physical and psychological symptoms. They are relatively common, but can feel frightening or overwhelming. This symptom checklist is informed by DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnostic criteria and helps clinicians and clients explore whether a person's experiences may be consistent with panic attacks. It is not intended to provide a diagnosis or assess severity, but it can support early discussions about whether further evaluation is warranted.
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