Panic Disorder is characterized by feelings of spontaneous, unexpected panic accompanied by acute anxiety. The typical panic attack includes symptoms such as tachycardia, dyspnea, palpitations, and sweating, increasing rapidly during a period of 5-10 minutes. Symptoms may feel life threatening, and great fear arises, resulting in a further worsening of the situation. Panic attacks most typically occur in closed-in places, such as a crowded bus or any place from which the sufferer cannot exit immediately, although these incidents may happen anywhere, at any time. The attack typically endures for 20-30 minutes, up to a maximum of one hour. Soon after the first one or two attacks, considerable fear and apprehension about future episodes develop. Because of this fear, precautionary measures are taken to avoid trigger situations and to ensure a feeling of safety.
More often than not, such persons avoid going out in public unless accompanied by someone they know well. There is considerable fear that a sudden panic attack would expose them publicly. This is known as "agoraphobia," termed Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia. Claustrophobia, a situation in which the person avoids closed-in spaces or vehicles such as tunnels, bridges, elevators, buses, trains, or airplanes, may also develop. If such a person attends an indoor event at a theatre or cinema, for example, an attempt will be made to sit next to the aisle, preferably near the exit, in case panic symptoms erupt.
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