Definition

Imagine that you are at the wheel of your car driving to work, or lining up to pay for your purchases at the grocery store. Suddenly, you have a sensation similar to the one you would have if your car ran out of gas on a level crossing and a freight train was barrelling toward you. Your heart beats strongly, your chest hurts, and you feel you are suffocating. Around you, everything is topsy-turvy, images become blurred or seem unreal. You think that you are having a heart attack, dying, or losing control of yourself or contact with reality.

Fearing losing control of your car or making a scene in the store, you escape as fast as you can. After several minutes, the sensation of panic abates, you calm down and you ask yourself what happened.

For at least a month since, you have been fearful of having other similar episodes. This is what is called a panic disorder.

Panic attacks are described as an alarm signal triggered by the body without valid reason – like a false alarm. When such a signal is triggered when real danger is present, the extreme terror reaction may be essential to survival. But in the case of a panic attack, the terror reaction occurs when there is no reason for the alarm to be raised.

What is terrifying and curious about panic attacks is that they often happen in a familiar setting or in a situation that presents no real danger. Yet the victim is overcome by terror, with all its physical and psychological manifestations.

Without detection and treatment, the panic disorder may progress and cause even greater distress. The constant threat of not knowing when or where a new crisis might occur can provoke anticipation anxiety, i.e., the constant fear of other panic attacks. The person may discover that it is not enough to avoid frightening places or situations in order to avoid feelings of anxiety or fear.

This anticipation of experiencing other panic attacks must persist for at least a month before it can be diagnosed as a panic disorder.