title: The sequence of panic symptoms.
abstract: Although much research has focused on the pathophysiology of panic attacks, little work has been done to describe the phenomenon itself. Twenty-one patients with panic attacks were asked to sequence the panic-related symptoms during an attack in an attempt to clarify the phenomenon. Overall, panic symptoms could be grouped into three categories: early symptoms--consisting of dyspnea, palpitations, chest discomfort, and hot flashes; intermediate symptoms--including shaking, choking, feelings of unreality, sweats, faintness, and dizziness; late symptoms-consisting of fear and paresthesias. Based on symptom clustering and temporal relationships, this study describes the panic phenomenon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78284.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Katerndahl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D010200:Panic; D012737:Sex Factors