Medical Portal

Are you having panic attacks?

If you can relate to the story above, you might suffer from panic attacks. Taking this handy questionnaire can help determine whether you're having panic attacks and how severe they are.

1. Do you have sudden surges of intense fear, terror or dread that strike for no apparent reason?

2. During these episodes, do you feel one or more of the following physical symptoms?

Heart racing, pounding or skipping beats?

Tightness, pressure, or discomfort in your chest?

A lump in your throat or choking sensation?

Shortness of breath or erratic breathing?

Light-headedness or dizziness?

Tingly, prickly sensations or numbness in parts of your body?

Shakiness or trembling?

Increased sweating?

Nausea or butterflies?

Hot flashes or chills?

3. During these episodes, do you think any of the following things?

that you're sick, dying or going crazy?

that you might throw up, suffocate, or have a heart attack?

that things seem unreal or that you are detached from your body?

that you must escape or flee the situation?

that you might lose control and embarrass yourself in front of others?

4. Even when you're not having a panic attack, are you nervous because of worrying about future panic attacks?

5. Do you avoid certain places or situations for fear they'll trigger a panic attack?

If you answered "Yes" to Question 1 and checked off one or more symptoms under Questions 2 and 3, you may be having panic attacks. If you also answered Yes to Questions 4 or 5, panic attacks are beginning to interfere with your daily life even when you're not panicking.