Spectrum of physical symptoms in panic disorder / 中华全科医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the span and frequency of physical symptoms of panic attack in patients with panic disorder.Methods Panic symptoms presented at the time of panic attacks were assessed and categorized in forty-eight consecutive outpatients with panic disorder during August 2000 to November 2002.Results Palpitations (44/48,91.7%), shortness of breath (36/48,75.0%), sweating (34/48,70.8%), feel suffocated (33/48,68.8%), faint (31/48,64.6%), dizziness (27/48,56.3%) and fear of dying (27/48,56.3%) were the most frequent symptoms reported by the patients with panic disorder. If categorized according to system, the most frequent symptoms were presented in cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory and autonomic nervous systems of patients with panic disorder.Conclusions Physical symptoms varies when panic attack occurs. Panic disorder was often misdiagnosed and underdiagnosed because of wide and non-specific spectrum of physical symptoms.