Am I Experiencing Panic Disorder?
A symptom checklist to help clients reflect on their experiences of panic attacks and explore whether further psychological assessment for panic disorder may be helpful.
Am I Experiencing Panic Disorder?
A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear which is accompanied by strong body sensations (such as your heart beating rapidly or finding it hard to breathe) and catastrophic thoughts (such as thinking that you will lose control or die).
Panic attacks feel terrifying, but they are not dangerous. People who worry about their panic, and who take steps to try to prevent the possibility of having more, are said to suffer from panic disorder.
A diagnosis of panic disorder should only be made by a mental health professional or a doctor. The Am I Experiencing Panic Disorder? tool explores signs of panic disorder. 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 disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, followed by persistent concern about future attack, and self-defeating changes in behavior in response to them. Panic attacks are typically sudden, intense, and accompanied by a range of physical and cognitive symptoms. This symptom checklist draws on diagnostic criteria from DSM-5 and ICD-11 to help clients and clinicians explore whether an individual’s experiences may indicate panic disorder. 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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