Brief Answer:
in panic disorder apprehension of future anxiety attacks is there

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

Anxiety is normal human feeling to avoid harm as well to to defend oneself from possible external or internal pain. In general amygdala is the brain part for the same. When this normal anxiety turn in to excess and there are episodes of anxiety without any specific stimulation as well as in between attack there is apprehension of future attacks it is called panic disorder. Normal anxiety improves the performance i.e. if student has exam, he/she will read and study well to avoid failure.
Panic disorder affects social or occupational life and deteriorate the performance i.e. due to excessive anxiety person cannot read.
Panic disorder differs from developmentally normative fear or anxiety by being excessive or persisting beyond developmentally appropriate periods.

To diagnose panic disorder following are the criteria according to DSM- 5.

A. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks. A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, and during which time four (or more) of the following symptoms occur;
Note: The abrupt surge can occur from a calm state or an anxious state.

1. Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate.
2. Sweating.
3. Trembling or shaking.
4. Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering.
5. Feelings of choking.
6. Chest pain or discomfort.
7. Nausea or abdominal distress.
8. Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint.
9. Chills or heat sensations.
10. Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations).
11. Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself).
12. Fear of losing control or “going crazy.”
13. Fear of dying.


B. At least one of the attacks has been followed by 1 month (or more) of one or both of the following:

1. Persistent concern or worry about additional panic attacks or their consequences (e.g., losing control, having a heart attack, “going crazy”).

2. A significant maladaptive change in behavior related to the attacks (e.g., behaviors designed to avoid having panic attacks, such as avoidance of exercise or unfamiliar situations).

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,

Dr.Chintan Solanki.

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