Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionPanic Disorder DiagnosisPanic Attack DiagnosisAgoraphobia vs. Panic DisorderGetting a Diagnosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Panic Disorder Diagnosis
Panic Attack Diagnosis
Agoraphobia vs. Panic Disorder
Getting a Diagnosis
Close
Having a panic attack can be a terrifying experience. Research suggests that around 13.2% of people experience panic attacks at least once. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have panic disorder. Among people who have had panic attacks, 66.5% have experienced them recurrently. However, just 12.8% of these individuals meet the diagnostic criteria for panic disorder.
Panic disorder is classified as an anxiety disorder in thefifth editionof the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5-TR). According to the guidelines, to be diagnosed withpanic disorder, you must experience unexpectedpanic attackson a regular basis.
At a Glance
What Is the DSM-5?
The 2013 release of DSM was the first significant update since 1994. Many changes were made in this fifth edition (DSM-5), including some updates to the diagnosis of panic disorder. An updated version of the DSM, theDSM-5-TR(text revision) was published in 2022.
The system in the DSM-5 is not without controversy. Many disorders have overlapping symptoms. Some professionals question the validity of this type of classification system, while others feel there is a great deal of subjectivity in its application.
Despite these reservations, a DSM diagnosis is often necessary for treatment, research, and insurance reimbursement.
Diagnosing Panic Disorder in DSM-5
The DSM outlines certain criteria that must be met to diagnose panic disorder. The diagnostic manual categorizes panic disorder as ananxiety disorderbased primarily on the occurrence of panic attacks, which are recurrent and often unexpected.
It’s important to note that a panic disorder diagnosis must rule out other potential causes for the panic attack (or the event that feels like one):
Defining Panic Attacks
Sincepanic attacksare key to a panic disorder diagnosis, they are well-defined and specific. This is where the details in the DSM-5 are significant.
Expected panic attacks are those associated with a specific fear, like flying. Unexpected panic attacks have no apparent trigger or cue and may appear to occur out of the blue.
Depersonalization, Derealization, and Panic Attacks
Agoraphobia vs. Panic Disorder in DSM-5
In previous versions of the DSM,agoraphobiawas associated with panic disorder. With the updates included in the DSM-5, agoraphobia is now a separate and codable diagnosis.
Within the update to agoraphobia, the DSM-5 notes that a person must experience intense fear or anxiety in a minimum of two situations. These include being out in public, open spaces, and in crowds—essentially anywhere in which you’re outside of the home.
Agoraphobia also involvesavoidance behaviors. These are a result of the fear of being in situations that may induce panic attacks or anxiety in which help may not be available or in which it would be difficult to flee. For example, a person with agoraphobia might avoid crowds, public transportation, or other public spaces where escape is difficult.
Getting a Panic Disorder Diagnosis
If you’ve ever had a panic attack, you might be wondering exactly how to determine if you have panic disorder. It is important to know that thesymptoms of panic disordermay mimic many other anxiety disorders and/or medical conditions. Only your doctor or mental health professional can diagnose panic disorder.
Panic Disorder Discussion GuideGet our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.Download PDFSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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Anxiety disorders such as panic disorder are among the most prevalent types of mental health conditions, but only around 20% of people who have symptoms of anxiety seek treatment. Because anxiety disorders are more common in women than men, experts now recommend that clinicians screen women and girls age 13 and older for anxiety conditions.
When seeking professional help in order to evaluate your symptoms and potentially reach a diagnosis, remember that honesty is key. You may even see one therapist and decide you’d like to see a different one instead. Remember to do what you are comfortable with.
Although it may feel difficult at first to discuss your feelings, remember that your doctor is there to help you and that speaking openly about your condition is the first step toward managing your symptoms in a healthy way.
Takeaways
To be diagnosed with panic disorder, you much have recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. They must not be the result of a medical condition, other mental health condition, or substance use. If you think you might have panic disorder, talk to a doctor or mental health professional for more information. They can evaluate your symptoms, make a diagnosis, and recommend treatments that can help you manage your symptoms.
If you or a loved one are struggling with panic disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one are struggling with panic disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
What Is the Biological Cause of Panic Disorder?
5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.de Jonge P, Roest AM, Lim CC, et al.Cross-national epidemiology of panic disorder and panic attacks in the world mental health surveys.Depress Anxiety. 2016;33(12):1155-1177. doi:10.1002/da.22572Kapadia M, Desai M, Parikh R.Fractures in the framework: limitations of classification systems in psychiatry.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2020;22(1):17-26. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.1/rparikhAmerican Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.Kim YK.Panic disorder: Current research and management approaches.Psychiatry Investig. 2019;16(1):1-3. doi:10.30773/pi.2019.01.08Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.de Jonge P, Roest AM, Lim CC, et al.Cross-national epidemiology of panic disorder and panic attacks in the world mental health surveys.Depress Anxiety. 2016;33(12):1155-1177. doi:10.1002/da.22572Kapadia M, Desai M, Parikh R.Fractures in the framework: limitations of classification systems in psychiatry.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2020;22(1):17-26. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.1/rparikhAmerican Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.Kim YK.Panic disorder: Current research and management approaches.Psychiatry Investig. 2019;16(1):1-3. doi:10.30773/pi.2019.01.08Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
de Jonge P, Roest AM, Lim CC, et al.Cross-national epidemiology of panic disorder and panic attacks in the world mental health surveys.Depress Anxiety. 2016;33(12):1155-1177. doi:10.1002/da.22572Kapadia M, Desai M, Parikh R.Fractures in the framework: limitations of classification systems in psychiatry.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2020;22(1):17-26. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.1/rparikhAmerican Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.Kim YK.Panic disorder: Current research and management approaches.Psychiatry Investig. 2019;16(1):1-3. doi:10.30773/pi.2019.01.08Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580
de Jonge P, Roest AM, Lim CC, et al.Cross-national epidemiology of panic disorder and panic attacks in the world mental health surveys.Depress Anxiety. 2016;33(12):1155-1177. doi:10.1002/da.22572
Kapadia M, Desai M, Parikh R.Fractures in the framework: limitations of classification systems in psychiatry.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2020;22(1):17-26. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.1/rparikh
American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.
Kim YK.Panic disorder: Current research and management approaches.Psychiatry Investig. 2019;16(1):1-3. doi:10.30773/pi.2019.01.08
Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580
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