The sequence of panic symptoms.

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.