Panic

The following is quoted and reformatted from the Anxiety & Depression Association of America's Understanding Panic Disorder and Panic Disorder Resources pages. 

Understanding Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is diagnosed in people who experience spontaneous seemingly out-of-the-blue panic attacks and are very preoccupied with the fear of a recurring attack. Panic attacks occur unexpectedly, sometimes even when waking up from sleep. Panic disorder usually begins in adulthood (after age 20), but children can also have panic disorder and many children experience panic-like symptoms.

About 2-3% of Americans experience panic disorder in a given year and it is twice as common in women than in men. Panic disorder can interfere a lot with daily life, causing people to miss work, go to many doctor visits, and avoid situations where they fear they might experience a panic attack. The interference is greatest when people also have agoraphobia, as well as panic disorder.

Many people don't know that their disorder is real and highly responsive to treatment. Some are afraid or embarrassed to tell anyone, including their doctors and loved ones, about what they experience for fear of being considered a hypochondriac. Instead they suffer in silence, distancing themselves from friends, family, and others who could be helpful or supportive.

Learn the symptoms of a panic attack.

Panic Disorder Resources

Webinars and Videos:

• Can Breathing Reduce Anxiety and Prevent a Panic Attack? - ADAA webinar, Ken Goodman, LCSW

• 4 Tips for Managing Your Panic - ADAA webinar, Shannon Weise, MSW, LCSW

• Panic Attacks: What Are the Symptoms And What Are Helpful Ways Of Addressing Them? - ADAA webinar, Featuring:
  Dave Carbonell, PhD

• Managing Coronavirus Anxiety Part 3 - Expert Tips and Strategies - ADAA webinar, Ken Goodman, LCSW; Debra Kissen, PhD, MHSA; David Rosmarin, PhD, ABPP

• Outsmart Your Anxious Brain - ADAA webinar, Dave Carbonell, PhD

• Ataques de pánico/Panic Attacks - ADAA webinar, Natalie Arbid, MA

• Coping With Panic Attacks - ADAA webinar, Jenny Yip, PsyD, ABPP

• Coping with Panic Attacks - video with ADAA member Ken Goodman, LCSW

Blogs:

• Is it Danger or Discomfort? Tips for Handling Panic!, Dave Carbonell, PhD

• Helping Your Anxious Teen Cope with a Panic Attack, Sheila Achar Josephs, PhD

• Panic Attack or Heart Attack?, Reid Wilson, PhD, and Mark H. Pollack, MD

• The Key to Overcoming Anxiety, Panic & Worry, Dave Carbonell, PhD 

• ADAA members Stefan Hoffmann, PhD, Aleena Hay, PhD and their Boston University colleague Abigail Barthal, BA discuss panic attacks and panic disorder: symptoms, treatment, causes, and coping strategies in this in-depth Anxiety.org article

Ally Stories & Stories of Triumph:

• Panic Attacks, Posture Apparel Brand, and ADAA

• My Panic Attack

• Conquering Panic Attacks and Reinventing Myself

• “Panic Attack!” 

Additional Resources:

• Panic Relief Mobile App 

• Screen yourself or a family member for panic disorder.

• Download an ADAA Panic Disorder brochure.

ADAA Publication:

Facing Panic: Self Help for People with Panic Attacks. Learn seven self-help steps to break the cycle of panic and regain control of your life. This book includes techniques and exercises to manage and overcome panic attacks and panic disorder. The disorder often occurs with other mental and physical disorders, including other anxiety disorders, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, or substance abuse. This may complicate of getting a correct diagnosis.

Download the charts found in this book to help you practice and track the skills you learn to overcome your panic.

Chart 1: Practicing the Calming Skills
Chart 2: Practice Creating Symptoms
Chart 3: Practice Creating Symptoms
Chart 4: Listing & Ranking My Feared Situations
Chart 5: Details of My Feared Situations
Chart 6: Preparing to Practice
Chart 7: Learning from Practice

Purchase the Kindle version.
Purchase the hard copy version.

Click here for additional self-help publications focused on panic disorder written by ADAA members.

Additional Resources

• What causes panic attacks, and how can you prevent them?, TED-Ed, Cindy J. Aaronson, MSW, PhD

• Panic Disorder Stories on The Mighty

References:

Anxiety & Depression Association of America 2023, Understanding Panic Disorder, Accessed on August 22, 2023, <https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/panic-disorder>.

Anxiety & Depression Association of America 2023, Panic Disorder Resources, Accessed on August 22, 2023, <https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/panic-disorder/resources>.