Imagine going to the mall for a day of shopping. While you’re waiting in line to pay for your new shoes, you start to feel overwhelmed, afraid something terrible is about to happen. You start to sweat, and you feel short of breath. You panic and feel like you’re going to faint. People around you may start to stare and ask if you’re okay. Dizziness and chest pains may make you feel like you’re having a heart attack, and may be dying. A heart attack is serious condition, and should be treated right away with medical attention, but these symptoms may also be caused by a panic attack.

When someone suffers from panic disorder, this scenario may occur on a regular basis, possibly even daily. Panic disorder is characterized by frequent, frightening panic attacks that interfere with daily activities. A person with panic disorder may avoid situations they fear may trigger a panic attack. Panic attacks can look and feel like a serious medical condition, but they are actually physically harmless.

Panic attacks experienced with panic disorder can occur with no warning, while shopping, driving, eating, or in any other situation. A person with panic disorder may be embarrassed of their symptoms, but unable to control them. Panic disorder can also be alarming to those around the victim. It may appear they are about to faint, or that they are having a heart attack. In the middle of a panic attack, a person may not be able to explain what is wrong, and they may be frightened or embarrassed by the extra attention.

Panic disorder can also cause other physical conditions every time a panic attack occurs. Nausea, stomach cramps, and even diarrhea might make someone with panic disorder avoid social situations where they might not be able to escape when a panic attack occurs.

Panic disorder doesn’t have to control the lives of people who suffer from it. Medical treatment including relaxation techniques, medication, and therapy can effectively manage the symptoms of panic disorder. If you are experiencing the symptoms of panic disorder, your doctor should evaluate your symptoms to rule out other possible medical conditions. With the help of your doctor, you can control panic disorder effectively and live a normal life.