The common misconception in persons who suffer panic disorder is that physical sensations, such as a racing heart or shortness of breath, are potentially dangerous or life threatening. Unlike anxiety, which is prolonged worrying about potential negative events in the future, panic attacks are short in duration, lasting only 10 to 15 minutes, and center around more immediate concerns. These concerns usually have to do with fears of dying, going crazy or losing control. Some people are more psychologically vulnerable than others, which may be partially due to their early experiences. Individuals who grow up around anxious parents or in an unstable environment where they learn to be constantly on the alert, may be more prone to experience panic attacks.
Panic attacks can occur anywhere, from airplanes to wide open spaces.
They may occur when driving a car or watching a movie in a theater, and are especially common in areas that appear to have no way out. The attacks can be so traumatic for some individuals that they begin to avoid the places and situations they associate with panic attacks. This avoidance behavior in anticipation of having a panic attack is called agoraphobia. Some individuals become so fearful that they cannot even leave their homes. As a result of this constant anxiety about panic, many people with agoraphobia also experience depression and have family problems.