Recurrent panic attacks are one key factor
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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.
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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.
According to the guidelines, to be diagnosed withpanic disorder, you must experience unexpectedpanic attackson a regular basis.
Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.
However, not everyone who has panic attacks necessarily has panic disorder.
To be diagnosed with PD, these attacks must not be due to medical conditions or substances.
Nor should they be better explained by other mental health condition such as OCD or PTSD.
What Is the DSM-5?
The DSM contains diagnostic criteria used by mental health professionals to classify and describe every known mental illness.
The 2013 release of DSM was the first significant update since 1994.
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.
Despite these reservations, a DSM diagnosis is often necessary for treatment, research, and insurance reimbursement.
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.
With the updates included in the DSM-5, agoraphobia is now a separate and codable diagnosis.
Agoraphobia also involvesavoidance behaviors.
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.
Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.
When seeking professional help for 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.
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.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
5th ed, text revision.
Washington, D.C.; 2022.
Kim YK.Panic disorder: Current research and management approaches.Psychiatry Investig.
