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The crippling mental health illness known as panic disorder is typified by frequent, unplanned panic attacks. These episodes can have a distressing effect on day-to-day functioning. It's critical to recognize the symptoms of panic disorder to get the right care and effectively manage symptoms. 

1. Intense Fear or Panic Attacks

People who suffer from panic disorder frequently feel extreme and paralyzing fear or panic. These feelings can strike suddenly and without notice, resulting in panic attacks that have both physical and mental symptoms.

2. Frequent and Recurrent Panic Attacks

Recurring panic attacks are one of the main indicators of panic disorder. These episodes can seriously interfere with day-to-day living and can happen frequently, even several times a week.

3. Persistent Worry About Having Another Attack

People who suffer from panic disorder frequently live in constant fear of having another panic attack. Higher anxiety levels may result from this ongoing concern and obsession with the potential for another episode.

4. Avoidance Behavior

People suffering from panic disorder may avoid situations that could set them off. This may entail staying away from scenarios, locations, or activities that they associate with past panic episodes.

5. Physical Symptoms During Panic Attacks

Physical symptoms, including a fast heartbeat, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, and chest pain, are common during panic attacks. These signs may resemble a heart attack, which could cause more anxiety.

6. Feeling of Losing Control

People may have a severe feeling of losing control over their environment or themselves during a panic attack. This sense of approaching disaster can exacerbate panic attacks and heighten helplessness.

7. Sensation of Choking or Smothering

During a panic attack, some people with panic disorder claim to feel as though they are choking or are having trouble breathing. This feeling can be extremely frightening and could make the episode more distressing overall.

8. Fear of Dying or Going Crazy

The fear of dying, going insane, or losing one's sense of reality is prevalent and experienced during panic attacks. The intensity of the panic attack may increase as a result of these unfounded worries and thoughts.

9. Hyperventilation

During panic attacks, hyperventilation—rapid, shallow breathing—occurs frequently. Symptoms like dizziness, tingling, and a sense of disassociation from reality may result from this.

10. Persistent Anxiety Between Attacks

People with panic disorder may not only experience the acute symptoms of panic attacks, but they may also have ongoing worry and anxiety in between episodes. The general state of well-being may suffer as a result of this ongoing anxiety.

11. Changes in Behavior or Routine

People with panic disorder may drastically alter their daily routine or behavior to manage their symptoms. This may entail avoiding social settings, restricting one's physical activity, or looking to other people for validation.

12. Difficulty Concentrating or Focusing

People with panic disorder may find it difficult to focus or concentrate on tasks due to cognitive function impairments caused by the disorder. Performance at work, school, or in other spheres of life may be affected by this.

13. Sleep Disturbances

Sleep disturbances, such as trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting a good night's sleep, are common in people with panic disorder. This may make you feel even more exhausted and lethargic.

14. Physical Health Complaints

Sometimes, people with panic disorder may seek medical attention for perceived health issues as a result of their physical symptoms. This could lead to pointless medical examinations or therapies before the underlying anxiety disorder is found.

15. Negative Impact on Quality of Life

Panic disorder can generally have a severe detrimental effect on a person's quality of life. When behavioral, psychological, and physical symptoms coexist, it can be difficult to go about daily life as best one can.

It's critical to get assistance from a trained healthcare provider if you recognize any of these warning signs and symptoms. One option for treating panic disorder is to take fluoxetine 20 mg, which can be prescribed in addition to counseling or other treatments. Recall that there is effective treatment available and that you are not alone.