Although panic attack and panic disorder seem to be the same concepts and are thought to be used to describe the same situation, they are actually separate definitions in the psychiatric literature.
Panic attack can be defined as a seizure of severe fear that begins suddenly, unexpectedly, intensifies suddenly and is limited to a short period of time. Panic attack is a situation in which the person experiences physical symptoms such as palpitations, inability to breathe, numbness, sweating, shaking, etc., which begins suddenly and lasts for a short time (10-30 minutes), accompanied by some fears such as death, having a heart attack, or losing control. . It is often defined by patients as an attack, crisis, or seizure.
Panic disorder is a state in which recurrence of panic attacks occurs and a loss of functionality occurs. In other words, panic attacks are not a single disease. A single attack or rare attacks can sometimes be caused by a simple reason such as insomnia and excessive caffeine consumption, as well as many psychiatric diseases (social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, schizophrenia, etc.) or other non-psychiatric medical diseases (hyperthyroidism). It may also occur as a symptom of pheochromocytoma, mitral valve prolapse, anemia, etc.).
Panic attack is a very common and common condition. Panic disorder is a less common condition than panic attacks. Panic attacks are a symptom that can occur even with simple daily situations such as insomnia, fatigue, excessive caffeine consumption, etc. Panic disorder is a disease. It is a disease that impairs functionality and is accompanied by other symptoms, including recurrent panic attacks. So, panic attack is a symptom, panic disorder is a disease. While a panic attack can occur once for any reason and then go away, panic disorder requires the presence of many recurring panic attacks without any reason and as a result, the impairment of functionality in the person's life. To be diagnosed with panic disorder, multiple unexpected panic attacks must occur. In addition, there is an expectation of anxiety that the attacks will occur again, and a state of anxiety and sadness about the negative consequences of the attacks such as fainting, heart attack, death, etc. In addition, the person is aware of the possible negative consequences of the attacks. They are in the process of taking precautions, avoiding, and seeking reassurance behaviors.
The lifetime occurrence of panic attacks has been reported with a frequency of 6-10%. Approximately one in every 10 people will experience a panic attack at some point in their life. In other words, the incidence of panic attacks is high. Generally, the onset of panic attacks is between late adolescence and early 30s. In other words, panic attacks mostly start at a young age, between the ages of 18 and 30. However, it can start at any age, but if a panic attack occurs for the first time at an older age, a detailed examination for other underlying medical diseases is necessary. Panic disorder is more common in women than in men.
In patients who are considered to be diagnosed with panic disorder, other medical diseases, substance use, and other psychiatric diseases should be questioned in detail and their evaluation should be requested by requesting consultation from other branches of medicine.
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