Panic disorder

Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks that are not restricted to particular stimuli or situations. Panic attacks are discrete episodes of intense fear or apprehension accompanied by the rapid and concurrent onset of several characteristic symptoms (e.g., palpitations, sweating, trembling, chest pain, fear of impending doom). Symptoms cause significant distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Symptoms

• Panic attacks (also: Recurrent, unpredictable episodes of intense anxiety (panic attacks), Sudden episodes of intense fear or apprehension (panic attack), sudden intense anxiety, anxiety attack, panic attack)
• Tachycardia or arrhythmia (also: Rapid or irregular heartbeat during attack, Rapid or irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, palpitations, rapid heartbeat)
• Excessive sweating (also: Excessive sweating during attack, Excessive sweating, sweating, profuse sweating, sweaty palms during attack)
• Trembling/chills (also: Trembling or chills during attack, Trembling or chills, trembling, tremor, body shaking)
• Breathing difficulties or breathlessness (also: Breathing difficulties or sensation of breathlessness, shortness of breath, feeling of air hunger, difficulty breathing, shallow breathing)
• Chest pain or pressure (also: Chest pain or pressure, chest pain, pain in chest, chest tightness, chest pressure)
• Dizziness or feeling of fainting (also: Dizziness or feeling of fainting, dizziness, spinning sensation in head, feeling of whirling, balance disturbances)
• Fear of death/loss of control (also: Intense sense of danger, loss of control or fear of death, Intense sense of danger or loss of control, feeling of fear, intense fear, overwhelming anxiety)
• Depersonalization (also: Depersonalization or derealization during attack, feeling of self being unfamiliar, depersonalization, feeling of surroundings being unfamiliar, derealization)
• Fear of dying, going mad, or losing control (also: Fear of death, madness, or loss of control during attack, fear of death, fear of going insane, apprehension of losing control, afraid I will die)
• Anticipatory anxiety about next attack (also: afraid of next attack, anticipatory anxiety, fear of fear, monitoring body for symptoms, constant anticipation of attack)
• Paresthesias and hot/cold flushes (also: Tingling, numbness or hot/cold flushes during attack, paresthesias, numbness of limbs, tingling in fingers, numbness of mouth)
• Nausea or stomach sinking sensation during attack (also: nausea during attack, stomach pressure, sinking feeling in stomach, nausea, feeling of vomiting)

ICD-11 diagnostic criteria

• nawracające napady paniki
• napady pojawiają się niespodziewanie
• obawa przed kolejnymi napadami
• pogorszenie funkcjonowania

How to recognise

In the ICD-11 framework, the core symptoms taken into account when recognising Panic disorder are:

• nagły intensywny lęk

Differential diagnosis

When diagnosing Panic disorder, the following ICD-11 disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis:

• Zaburzenie lękowe uogólnione (6B00)
• Agorafobia (6B02)
• Zaburzenie związane z lękiem społecznym (6B04)
• Napady lęku panicznego w epizodach zaburzenia nastroju (6A80.1)
• Fobia specyficzna (6B03)

Synonyms and related terms

Recurrent, unpredictable episodes of intense anxiety (panic attacks), Sudden episodes of intense fear or apprehension (panic attack), sudden intense anxiety, anxiety attack, panic attack, sudden fear, intense fright, episode of panic, strong sudden fear, sudden feeling of overwhelming fear, sudden fear attack, Rapid or irregular heartbeat during attack, Rapid or irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, palpitations, rapid heartbeat, accelerated heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, heart pounding, strong heartbeat, heart racing, heart beating wildly, feels pulse throbbing, very fast pulse, Excessive sweating during attack, sweating, profuse sweating, sweaty palms during attack, increased sweating, hot flashes with sweating

Frequently asked questions

What are the symptoms of Panic disorder?

Symptoms associated with Panic disorder (ICD-11 6B01) include: Panic attacks, Tachycardia or arrhythmia, Excessive sweating, Trembling/chills, Breathing difficulties or breathlessness, Chest pain or pressure, Dizziness or feeling of fainting, Fear of death/loss of control, Depersonalization, Fear of dying, going mad, or losing control, Anticipatory anxiety about next attack, Paresthesias and hot/cold flushes.

How is Panic disorder diagnosed according to ICD-11?

According to ICD-11, the diagnostic criteria for Panic disorder (6B01) include: nawracające napady paniki; napady pojawiają się niespodziewanie; obawa przed kolejnymi napadami; pogorszenie funkcjonowania.

What disorders are in the differential diagnosis of Panic disorder?

The differential diagnosis of Panic disorder (6B01) includes: Zaburzenie lękowe uogólnione (6B00), Agorafobia (6B02), Zaburzenie związane z lękiem społecznym (6B04), Napady lęku panicznego w epizodach zaburzenia nastroju (6A80.1), Fobia specyficzna (6B03).

WHO ICD-11 source

View this entry in the official WHO ICD-11 browser: 6B01 – WHO ICD-11