Panic
Disorder (PD) consists of sudden attacks of terrible fear that occur
without warning, come on suddenly, and usually do not last more then fifteen excruciating
minutes. The emotions of fear and terror are usually accompanied by physical symptoms
like shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea and even diarrhea, trembling, chills
and sweats, and others. People who have had panic attacks sometimes worry about
having other panic attacks, and this worry can sometimes lead the person to avoid
leaving home (agoraphobia). Panic Disorder often starts with one very memorable
panic attack in response to a particular circumstance, but then the panic attacks
become independent of stimulus and just occur unpredictably.
