Panic disorder (PD), also known as a panic attack, is characterized by sudden bouts of anxiety, fear of dying and malaise, which also generate physical symptoms such as pain or discomfort in the chest, agitation or chills, choking, dizziness, shortness of breath, too hot or cold, etc. It is very important to see a medical professional to assess the case, whether it is anxiety that the person is suffering or a panic attack, and only the tests will show the appropriate results.

It's not always easy to tell the difference, because panic attacks can be part of an anxiety disorder, but they can also occur in people suffering from other disorders, such as depression. The main difference between panic attacks and anxiety is the intensity of the symptoms.Anxiety has more concrete and logical causes, such as an activity that the person will have to carry out, so they become anxious about starting the activity. Panic attacks have no time to start, and can occur as a result of some existing phobia, such as fear of heights, fear of some kind of animal such as a snake or spider, in which the person panics just knowing that they might come across these kinds of situations.

What are the causes of panic attacks? There is still no consensus on the cause, but some hypotheses are considered:

• Traumas (abuse, violence, accidents, etc.)
• Genetics
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Drug use
• Depression

Generally, crises last a few minutes, but they can also last hours, and each case is different from the next. One person can experience a panic attack and never have another, while others have frequent crises, which is why it is important to be diagnosed in order to receive specific treatment. The psychiatrist, based on the results of the tests, will adopt a specific treatment for the patient, which must be fully complied with in order to have a better quality of life. Don't despair, there are great professionals and treatments. Take care of yourself.