Panic disorders

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Avoidance of at least 2 situations based upon fears that escape might be difficult.

May experience panic sensations, but the panic sensations are expected as opposed to unexpected.

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Excessive or unrealistic fear of specific objects or situations. Identify precipitants for panic attacks; panic sensations are cued by anticipated or actual exposure to the phobic stimuli rather than unexpectedly. There may be absence of persistent concern or behavioral change because of fear of further panic attacks, unlike in panic disorder.

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Focus of the fear involves concerns over being embarrassed and negatively evaluated by others. Identify precipitants for panic attacks; panic sensations are cued by anticipated and actual exposure to social and evaluative situations, rather than unexpectedly. There may be absence of persistent concern or behavioral change because of fear of further panic attacks, unlike in panic disorder.

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

In illness anxiety disorder patients are overly preoccupied with somatic symptoms and focus on their body. There may be a lack of autonomic hyperactivity. Fears are likely to be temporally more distant (e.g., cancer) compared to in panic disorder where fears are generally immediate (e.g., heart attack).

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Onset follows a potentially life-threatening stressor. Additional differential symptoms include emotional numbing and reexperiencing the trauma.

Identify precipitants for panic attacks; panic sensations are cued by anticipated and actual exposure to trauma cues, rather than unexpectedly. There may be absence of persistent concern or behavioral change because of fear of further panic attacks, unlike in panic disorder.

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Symptoms cued by perceived and actual separation from family members.

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Symptoms caused by the direct physiologic effects of substance use or as a result of its withdrawal.