Panic Disorder test

While there are very few warning signs, an indicator of a panic disorder is that it comes on quickly and usually subsides after a few minutes. Common mental symptoms include:

• Feeling out of control or experiencing a fear of death (anticipatory anxiety)
• Intense fear about when the next unexpected panic attack will happen
• Sense of detachment

Panic disorder also includes physical symptoms:

• Pounding heart
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Numbness
• Chills
• Hot flashes

Common symptoms include feeling out of control and overwhelmed. Panic disorder also includes physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, numbness, chills or hot flashes.

While panic disorder may not go away completely, it can be managed and treated. If you're struggling with ongoing panic attacks, meet with a mental health professional to help understand your symptoms and develop coping strategies.

Understanding the difference between a panic attack vs. an anxiety attack can be confusing. Generally, panic attacks are an immediate fight or flight response with intense emotional, mental and physical symptoms. The attacks come on quickly and usually subside after a few minutes. A significant demarcation of a panic attack is fear of having another attack. Anxiety is a general feeling of nervousness and worry, that builds and subsides gradually and varies in intensity.

If you frequently find yourself asking, "do I have panic disorder," a licensed professional can administer a clinical diagnosis, while our online panic disorder test acts as a helpful first step toward gaining clarity and seeking treatment.

A therapist may give an inventory to identify symptoms, or simply engage in a conversation that takes note of feelings, behaviors, moods, sleeping/eating patterns. The therapist may also inquire about physical/health-related co-occurring issues to help make the panic disorder diagnosis.

A licensed mental health professional, such as a mental health counselor, independent social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, or a psychiatric nurse practitioner can help diagnose & treat panic attacks.

Seeing an in-person or online therapist can be an effective treatment method for learning how to process and manage symptoms. Talkspace providers treat panic disorders with a variety of evidence-based therapeutic intervention methods, with the most common method being Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). If medically appropriate, an online psychiatrist may prescribe medication to help with panic disorder symptoms.

As you explore your treatment options, know that Talkspace is committed to making mental health care affordable by offering online therapy and psychiatry plans that take insurance. You don’t have to let panic attacks get the best of you — help is available.