Condition guide
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks — sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by strong physical symptoms — along with persistent worry about having more attacks. A panic attack can feel frightening and disorienting, and many people initially mistake one for a medical emergency, which is a completely understandable reaction to how intense the physical symptoms can feel.
Panic disorder responds well to treatment. This page covers what panic attacks and panic disorder look like, what tends to cause them, and how treatment works.
Recognising it
What are the symptoms of panic disorder?
A panic attack typically involves a sudden surge of intense fear, peaking within minutes, along with physical symptoms such as:
- Racing or pounding heart
- Shortness of breath or a feeling of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Trembling or shaking
- Sweating
- Nausea or stomach distress
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- A feeling of unreality or being detached from yourself
- Fear of losing control, or fear of dying
Panic disorder specifically involves:
- Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
- Persistent worry about having another attack, or about the consequences of an attack
- Significant changes in behaviour to avoid triggering another attack — for example, avoiding certain places or activities
Not everyone who has a panic attack has panic disorder — a single panic attack can happen to almost anyone under significant stress. Panic disorder specifically involves the recurring pattern and the ongoing fear of future attacks.
Understanding why
What causes panic disorder?
There's rarely a single cause — it tends to develop from a combination of factors.
- Biological factors
- Genetics and a heightened sensitivity to physical sensations of anxiety appear to increase risk.
- Life stress
- Major life stress or transitions often precede the first panic attack, though panic disorder can also develop without an obvious trigger.
- Learned fear responses
- After an initial panic attack, fear of the physical sensations themselves (a racing heart, for example) can trigger a self-reinforcing cycle.
- Other health conditions
- Panic disorder can co-occur with other anxiety conditions, depression, or certain medical conditions, which is part of why an initial assessment often includes ruling out other explanations for physical symptoms.
Panic disorder often develops through a cycle where fear of the physical sensations of anxiety itself becomes the primary driver of further attacks.
Getting better
How is panic disorder treated?
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
A first-line, highly effective treatment for panic disorder, addressing both the catastrophic interpretations of physical sensations and the avoidance behaviours that maintain the condition.
Interoceptive exposure
A specific technique that involves safely and gradually inducing the physical sensations of panic (like a racing heart) in a controlled way, to reduce fear of the sensations themselves.
Breathing & relaxation techniques
Can help manage acute symptoms, though these are generally most effective as part of broader treatment rather than as a standalone approach.
Medication
In some cases, medication prescribed by a GP or psychiatrist is used alongside therapy, particularly where symptoms are severe.
Panic disorder is one of the more responsive anxiety conditions to structured treatment, and many people see substantial improvement.
Next step
When should I see a psychologist about panic disorder?
You don't need to wait until symptoms feel unmanageable.
- Recurrent panic attacks
- Persistent worry about having another attack
- Avoiding places or situations out of fear of triggering an attack
- Panic symptoms affecting your ability to go about daily life
- A first panic attack is also worth having checked by a GP, since the physical symptoms can genuinely overlap with certain medical conditions, and ruling those out provides useful reassurance
A GP can help you access a Mental Health Care Plan under Medicare's Better Access initiative, which provides rebates for a set number of psychology sessions per year.
How Pair helps
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Pair matches you with an AHPRA-registered psychologist based on your specific situation. Our matching process considers clinical fit, practical factors like session format and cost, and — optionally — identity-based preferences.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is a panic attack dangerous?
Panic attacks are intensely uncomfortable and frightening but are not medically dangerous in themselves. That said, it’s reasonable and sensible to have a first panic attack assessed by a GP to rule out other causes, since the symptoms can genuinely overlap with certain medical conditions.
How long does a panic attack last?
Panic attacks typically peak in intensity within about ten minutes and generally resolve within twenty to thirty minutes, though residual anxiety or exhaustion can last longer.
Can panic disorder be cured?
“Cured” isn’t the most useful framing — panic disorder responds very well to treatment, and many people become largely or entirely free of panic attacks with structured therapy. Some people continue to use the skills they’ve learned on an ongoing basis to manage occasional symptoms.
What’s the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack?
“Anxiety attack” isn’t a formal clinical term and is often used to describe a build-up of anxiety over time. A panic attack is a specific, sudden surge of intense fear that peaks quickly, typically without a clear ongoing build-up.
Do I need a GP referral to see a psychologist for panic disorder?
No — you can see a psychologist directly. A GP referral is only required if you want to access a Medicare rebate through a Mental Health Care Plan, or if you’d like your first panic attack medically assessed.
Is online therapy effective for panic disorder?
Telehealth can be an effective option for panic disorder treatment, including CBT and exposure-based approaches, and offers added convenience for many people.
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