Panic Disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress. These episodes occur “out of the blue,” not in conjunction with a known fear or stressor.
Panic Disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress. These episodes occur “out of the blue,” not in conjunction with a known fear or stressor.

Prevalence of Panic Disorder Among Adults

• Based on diagnostic interview data from National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), Figure 1 shows past year prevalence of panic disorder among U.S. adults aged 18 or older.1
• An estimated 2.7% of U.S. adults had panic disorder in the past year.
• Past year prevalence of panic disorder among adults was higher for females (3.8%) than for males (1.6%).
• An estimated 4.7% of U.S. adults experience panic disorder at some time in their lives.2

Past Year Prevalence of Panic Disorder Among U.S Adults (2001-2003)

Bar chart with 7 bars.
Data from National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R)
View as data table, Past Year Prevalence of Panic Disorder Among U.S Adults (2001-2003)
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percent. Range: 0 to 4.
PercentPast Year Prevalence of Panic Disorder Among U.S Adults (2001-2003)Data from National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R)2.7​2.73.8​3.81.6​1.62.8​2.83.7​3.73.1​3.10.8​0.8OverallFemaleSexMale18-29Age30-4445-5960+01234
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Prevalence of Panic Disorder Among Adolescents

• Based on diagnostic interview data from National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), Figure 3 shows lifetime prevalence of panic disorder among U.S. adolescents aged 13-18.4
• An estimated 2.3% of adolescents had panic disorder, and 2.3% had severe impairment. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria were used to determine impairment.
• The prevalence of panic disorder among adolescents was higher for females (2.6%) than for males (2.0%).

Lifetime Prevalence of Panic Disorder Among Adolescents (2001-2004)

Bar chart with 7 bars.
Data from National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A)
View as data table, Lifetime Prevalence of Panic Disorder Among Adolescents (2001-2004)
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percent. Range: 0 to 4.
PercentLifetime Prevalence of Panic Disorder Among Adolescents (2001-2004)Data from National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A)2.3​2.32.3​2.32.6​2.62.0​2.01.8​1.82.3​2.33.3​3.3OverallWith Severe​ImpairmentFemaleSexMale13-14Age15-1617-1801234
End of interactive chart.

Data Sources

References

• Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). (2017, August 21). Retrieved from https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.php. Data Table 2: 12-month prevalence DSM-IV/WMH-CIDI disorders by sex and cohort.
• Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). (2017, August 21). Retrieved from https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.php. Data Table 1: Lifetime prevalence DSM-IV/WMH-CIDI disorders by sex and cohort.
• Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Merikangas KR, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005 Jun;62(6):617-27. PMID: 15939839
• Merikangas KR, He JP, Burstein M, Swanson SA, Avenevoli S, Cui L, Benjet C, Georgiades K, Swendsen J. Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in U.S. adolescents: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication–Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2010 Oct;49(10):980-9. PMID: 20855043

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