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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffSymptoms of panic disorder often start either in late adolescence or early adulthood and affect more women than men.
Many people have just one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes, and the problem goes away, perhaps when a stressful situation ends.
Factors that may increase the risk of developing panic attacks or panic disorder include:
- A family history of panic attacks or panic disorder
- Significant stress
- The death or serious illness of a loved one
- Big changes in your life, such as the addition of a baby
- A history of childhood physical or sexual abuse
- Undergoing a traumatic event, such as an accident or rape
- Panic attack. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Jan. 14, 2010.
- Hollander E, et al. In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. Accessed Jan. 14, 2010.
- Ciechanowski P, et al. Overview of panic disorder. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 14, 2010.
- Panic disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/panic-disorder.shtml. Accessed Jan. 14, 2010.
- Davies RD. Panic attacks and panic disorder. In: Jacobson JL, et al. Psychiatric Secrets. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Hanley & Belfus, Inc.; 2001. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/178504199-14/0/1167/34.html?tocnode=49274996&fromURL=34.html#4-u1.0-B1-56053-418-4..50017-0_289. Accessed Jan. 14, 2010.
- Answers to your questions about panic disorder. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/panic-disorder.aspx. Accessed Jan. 14, 2010.
- American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/pracGuide/pracGuideTopic_9.aspx. Accessed Jan. 14, 2010.
- Kinrys G, et al. Natural remedies for anxiety disorders: Potential use and clinical applications. Depression and Anxiety. 2009;26:259.
- Saeed SA, et al. Herbal and dietary supplements for treatment of anxiety disorders. American Family Physician. 2007;76:549.
- Hall-Flavin, DK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 16, 2010.
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