Panic disorder is the name given to recurrent panic attacks that are not consistently associated with a particular situation or object (ICD-10 – http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/GRNBOOK.pdf). Each panic attack tends to start without any or much warning, and usually causes significant fear or discomfort.  Symptoms include:

• Pounding heart
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• A feeling of losing control, going mad, fainting or dying.
• Feeling hot/cold
• Numbness or tingling sensations

Panic attacks can last several minutes and it may take some time before the sufferer’s anxiety has subsided to pre-attack levels.   They can often feel particularly frightening because of their unpredictable nature and the severity of the anxiety symptoms and fears often experienced.