Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that involves multiple unexpected panic attacks. A main feature of panic disorder is that the attacks usually happen without warning and aren’t due to another mental health or physical condition. There’s often not a specific trigger for them.

Not everyone who experiences a panic attack develops panic disorder.

Panic attacks are the main feature of panic disorder. But they can happen alongside other conditions, such as:

Anxiety disorders, Mood disorders, Phobias, Psychotic disorders, Substance use disorders, Trauma- and stressor-related disorders, Certain medical conditions.

While panic attacks by themselves aren’t dangerous or harmful to your health, frequent attacks can lead to a decrease in your quality of life and other issues.