Panic disorder refers to the experience of recurrent and disabling panic attacks which last up to a few minutes and are accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shaking, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Fear of losing control, of going ‘crazy’, or of dying are also common during a panic attack. People with panic disorder often worry about experiencing further panic attacks and, as a result, may start avoiding activities or certain situations to minimise or avoid the possibility of a future panic attack.
A recent survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated that 3.7% of Australians had experienced panic within the last year. This rate could be up to 3.3 times higher in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with panic disorder than men. Panic disorder can occur at any age, with the typical age when problems first emerge ranging from late adolescence to early adulthood. Rates of panic disorder appear to decrease in older adults.