Home > Tell Me All I Need to Know About Anxiety > Panic Attacks & Panic Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment > Panic Disorder Test: Screening for Unexpected Panic Attacks More Articles Panic Disorder Test: Screening for Unexpected Panic Attacks Take this short quiz to determine if you may have panic disorder—an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring unexpected panic attacks. Medically reviewed by: Caroline Buzanko, PhD Below is a list of questions that relate to life experiences common among people diagnosed with panic disorder—a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurring unexpected panic attacks. Please read each question carefully and indicate whether you have experienced these thoughts or symptoms in the past year. Keep in mind that the effects of certain drugs or medications, as well as certain medical conditions, can cause panic attacks so you should discuss your symptoms with a doctor. Note that panic disorder refers to recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—that is, the attack appears to happen out of the blue when there is no actual danger. In contrast, expected panic attacks occur when there is an obvious cue or trigger, such as a specific phobia (like a fear of snakes). In the US, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), nearly 5% of adults will experience a panic attack during their lifetime. This quiz is NOT a diagnostic tool. Mental health disorders can only be diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional or doctor. Psycom believes assessments can be a valuable first step toward getting treatment. All too often people stop short of seeking help out of fear their concerns aren't legitimate or severe enough to warrant professional intervention. Your privacy is important to us. All results are completely anonymous. Have you ever experienced an abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort seemingly out of the blue, that lasted several minutes? Yes No If yes, have you experienced any of the following symptoms during those minutes? Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate? Always Often Sometimes Rarely Never Sweating? Always Often Sometimes Rarely Never Trembling or shaking? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never Shortness of breath or a feeling that you are being smothered? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never Feeling like you are choking? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never Chest pain or discomfort? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never Nausea or stomach ache? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never Feeling dizzy, light-headed or faint? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never Chills or heat sensations? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never "Pins and needles" (numbness or a tingling sensation)? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Neer A feeling that you are crazy or losing control? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never A sense of being detached from yourself or your surroundings, or observing yourself from outside your body? Or, that things are not real? Frequently Always Sometimes Rarely Never Worried that you are going to die? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never For at least one month after you've had this experience, have you worried that you might experience these symptoms again? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never Taken steps to avoid a repeat attack—for example, avoiding unfamiliar situations? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never Have you been diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmias, hyperthyroidism, asthma, COPD, or irritable bowel syndrome? Yes No Do you have a fear of a certain situation, animal, or object that causes you to experience the panic, sweating, trembling, and/or heart palpitations? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never Do you experience persistent and excessive worry about a number of different things, so much so that it interferes with your daily life? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never Do people tell you you look nervous? Always Frequently Sometimes Rarely Never Enter your email below to receive the free Psycom mental health eNewsletter. (We try hard to make it great and we will not bombard your inbox) Email Remedy Health Media will use the contact information you provide in this form to be in touch with you to provide updates and marketing. By submitting this request, you consent to receive such communications from us. For more information about how we use personal information please see our privacy policy (https://www.remedyhealthmedia.com/privacy-policy). Time is Up! Last Updated: Jan 12, 2021
