Screening for Panic Disorder

If you suspect that you might suffer from panic disorder, answer the questions below, print out the results and share them with your health care professional.

To locate a specialist who treats panic disorder, visit the ADAA Find a Therapist.

This is a screening measure to help you determine whether you might have panic disorder that needs professional attention. This screening tool is not designed to make a diagnosis of panic disorder but to be shared with your primary care physician or mental health professional to inform further conversations about diagnosis and treatment.

Are you troubled by the following?

Yes     No

Repeated or unexpected “attacks” during which you suddenly are overcome by intense fear or discomfort for no apparent reason

If yes, during an attack did you experience any of these symptoms?

Yes   No	Pounding heart
Yes   No	Sweating
Yes   No	Trembling or shaking
Yes   No	Shortness of breath
Yes   No	Choking
Yes   No	Chest pain
Yes   No	Nausea or abdominal discomfort
Yes   No	"Jelly" legs
Yes   No	Dizziness
Yes   No	Fear of losing control or "going crazy"
Yes   No	Fear of dying
Yes   No	Numbness or tingling sensations
Yes   No	Chills or hot flushes

As a result of these attacks, have you…

Yes   No	experienced a fear of places or situations where getting help or escape might be difficult, such as in a crowd or on a bridge?
Yes   No	felt unable to travel without a companion?

For at least one month following an attack, have you…

Yes   No	felt persistent concern about having another one?
Yes   No	worried about having a heart attack or “going crazy”?
Yes   No	changed your behavior to accommodate the attack?

Having more than one illness at the same time can make it difficult to diagnose and treat the different conditions. Depression and substance abuse are among the conditions that occasionally complicate panic disorder.

Yes   No

Have you experienced changes in sleeping or eating habits?

More days than not, do you feel…

Yes   No	sad or depressed?
Yes   No	disinterested in life?
Yes   No	worthless or guilty?

During the last year, has the use of alcohol or drugs...

Yes   No	resulted in your failure to fulfill responsibilities with work, school, or family?
Yes   No	placed you in a dangerous situation, such as driving a car under the influence?
Yes   No	gotten you arrested?
Yes   No	continued despite causing problems for you or your loved ones?

Reference:
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 1994.

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