A Self-Assessment Tool for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
We live in a world where stress and anxiety are common companions. A bad day at work or a family emergency can easily put you in a state of panic. However, some people experience panic more often than others. Our informal panic disorder test can help let you know more about your reactions and anxieties and whether support might prove beneficial.
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), an estimated 6 million adults in the US experience a panic disorder. It is a condition that can cause unexpected panic attacks that lead to breathlessness and feeling out of control.
In a panic disorder, you experience panic attacks without warning signs. It can disrupt your daily routine and might compel you to avoid social interactions. Furthermore, it can also lead to social anxiety and different phobias which later act as triggers.
At Icarus Behavioral Health, we understand how difficult it can be to navigate life with a panic and anxiety disorder. Therefore, we offer expert counseling and assistance to overcome this challenge together, as per our informal panic disorder test below!
What is a Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is a mental health condition that is two times more likely to affect women than men, according to ADAA. It is a type of anxiety disorder where you experience repeated panic attacks, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
These panic attacks can cause intense fear and discomfort which often leads to a range of physical symptoms. The symptoms range from heart rate spikes and sweating to a sense of impending doom. Trying a panic disorder test can help you understand the warning signs better.
You may be wondering if the panic disorder is genetic to you. However, you should note that it can occur due to a combination of stress, genetic factors, and changes in brain function.
In this helpful guide, we plan to share the symptoms and treatment options for panic disorder to help you overcome this challenge. We also have a short panic disorder test to help you as well.
Quick Self-Assessment to Recognize Panic Disorder
Our team at Icarus has carefully created a comprehensive self-assessment tool to help you recognize panic disorder symptoms. It is a short quiz to understand whether the symptoms you’re experiencing point toward panic attacks.
We advise you to answer the questions in this quiz to gain useful insights that will also help you seek the right treatment options.
1. Have you ever experienced a sudden surge of intense discomfort or fear out of the blue that may have lasted a few minutes?
• Yes
• No
If yes, then have you experienced the following symptoms during the surge of intense fear or discomfort:
Pounding heart or accelerated heart rate (palpitations)?
2. Pounding heart or accelerated heart rate (palpitations)?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
3. Sweating?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
4. Trembling or shaking?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
5. Feeling like you’re choking?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
6. Feeling like you’re being smothered or shortness of breath?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
7. Chest pain or feeling like the chest is getting heavy?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
8. Stomach ache or nausea?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
9. Feeling light-headed, dizzy, or faint?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
10. Sudden heat sensations or chills?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
11. Numbness or tingling sensations (“pins and needles”)?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
12. Feeling like you are losing control or going crazy?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
13. Feeling detached from yourself as if you’re observing yourself from outside your own body?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
14. Feeling overwhelmed with the fear of death?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
15. Did you worry about an unexpected panic attack or experiencing these same symptoms again after at least a month?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
16. Did you ever take steps to prevent a repeat attack – like skipping social gatherings or unfamiliar situations?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
17. Are you diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, asthma, COPD, cardiac arrhythmias, or irritable bowel syndrome?
• Yes
• No
18. Do you have a fear of a certain object, animal, or situation that causes the abovementioned symptoms?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
19. Do you frequently worry about different things, so excessively that it disrupts your daily routine?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
20. Do people tell you that you look nervous?
• Always
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
Scoring the Panic Disorder Test Tool
The team of compassionate mental health experts at Icarus Behavioral Health developed the comprehensive self-assessment tool to help you assess the severity of your symptoms. Here’s what your responses should tell you:
• Mild Anxiety: Score of 1-5 (often or always)
• Moderate Anxiety: Score of 6-10
• Severe Anxiety: Score of 11 or more
You can easily track your symptoms using this self-assessment tool and share valuable information with your trusted mental health professional. They can provide expert advice and panic disorder diagnosis based on their knowledge of mental health disorders.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey and caring experts are ready to assist you in achieving a better quality of life at Icarus Behavioral Health.
What are the Symptoms of Panic Disorder?
You should learn about the common signs and symptoms that indicate panic disorder because it can help you get the right treatment. A panic attack can occur in different ways and almost always leads to a disturbance in your daily life with overwhelming stress.
By recognizing the following mental symptoms on time, you can ensure effective management.
Rapid Heart Rate and Palpitations
A sudden surge in heart rate or palpitations is common during panic attacks . It can lead to feelings of impending doom or fear of having a heart attack due to alarming sensations. panic
Shortness of Breath (Hyperventilation)
You may also experience shortness of breath or hyperventilation during a panic attack. It can make breathing difficult as panic attacks intensify the sensation of being unable to catch your breath. It is often due to shallow and rapid breathing causing a suffocating effect.
Sweating and Trembling
Excessive sweating or trembling are also common symptoms during a panic attack. You may shake uncontrollably for a few seconds or even minutes depending on the intensity.
Other symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Stomach ache
- Dizziness
- Tingling sensations
- Weakness
- Chills
- Hot flashes
You should know the symptoms of panic disorder to actively monitor your condition. It will provide you insight into your mental health state and panic attack intensity as well.
How is Panic Disorder Diagnosed?
Only a licensed mental health professional like a psychologist or psychiatrist can accurately diagnose panic disorders. The panic disorder diagnosis will depend on the frequency and intensity of attacks. It will also account for the consequences of unexpected panic attacks in your daily life.
The diagnostic criteria for panic disorder are clearly stated in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It is advisable to complete a self-assessment panic disorder test to gain information before seeking medical help.
What Are the Common Triggers of Unexpected Panic Attacks?
A number of factors can trigger panic attacks which lead to episodes of intense fear. Knowing the triggers can help you proactively manage your condition. Moreover, we advise seeking expert counseling from a healthcare professional to understand your condition and triggers better. Some common triggers include:
- Specific Phobias (which refers to fear of places, situations, or objects)
- Stressful life events
- Situation factors (crowded place or panicked gathering)
- Loud noises and bright lights
- Traumatic thoughts and memories
- Health concerns
- Emotional states (like anger or sadness)
- Medical or substance abuse withdrawal symptoms
- Substance abuse (illegal drugs or alcohol)
If any of the above-mentioned triggers are common when you experience panic attacks, make sure you discuss it with your healthcare professional to develop effective coping strategies.
Is Panic Disorder Curable?
Panic disorder is a chronic mental health condition. It requires effective coping strategies and a combination of treatment options. Depending on individual factors, some people benefit from a single treatment option as well. However, it is not “cured” in the traditional sense which might seem upsetting at first.
We are here to help you understand that with a mix of coping strategies, panic disorder can be a thing of the past. Treatment options like Cognitive Behavioral Training (CBT) can help you reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.
In addition, the National Institute of Health (NIH) shared a study where it claimed significant effects of medications like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) and benzodiazepines on panic disorder symptoms.
Icarus Behavioral Health realizes that panic disorders can linger in your daily life as an unexpected occurrence waiting to disrupt your routine. You could be left asking yourself, how many panic attacks left to endure?
Therefore, we welcome you to the home of personalized care where you’ll be part of a compassionate environment that thrives on communication with clients. We understand your need to help you get over the panic disorder worry and overcome its physical symptoms.
Don’t ignore the untreated panic disorder, seek personalized care for long-term mental health and wellness.
Take Control of Anxiety and Panic With Our Support at Icarus
When you learn about the signs and symptoms of panic disorder, it can make it easier for you to manage your mental health effectively. You can avoid active triggers and confidently seek the right treatment options to help with this condition.
With the right support, you can develop panic disorder coping strategies to overcome the condition.
Take a step towards a healthier life by contacting Icarus Behavioral Health. You can start your path to recovery with the first consultation today.
