Panic Disorder Coping Explaining Your Panic Disorder to Friends and Family By Katharina Star, PhD Katharina Star, PhD Facebook LinkedIn Katharina Star, PhD, is an expert on anxiety and panic disorder. Dr. Star is a professional counselor, and she is trained in creative art therapies and mindfulness. Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 21, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Carly Snyder, MD Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Sam Edwards / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Introduce Panic Disorder Describe Your Panic Attacks Share Your Fears Talk About Treatment If you have been diagnosed with panic disorder, you may be all too familiar with the impact your condition can have on your relationships. It can be difficult for loved ones to understand your experience. For example, friends and family may not acknowledge that you have a real mental health disorder. Some loved ones may not realize how difficult it can be to deal with panic attacks. Others may have false assumptions about anxiety disorders in general. Considering the many misunderstandings and myths about panic disorder, it can be difficult for your family and friends to understand your condition. They may have many questions that are hard to answer. But telling others about your panic disorder does not always have to be such a challenge. Use these explanations to help you get the conversation going. If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Introduce Panic Disorder Explain that panic disorder is a real and diagnosable type of mental health condition known as an anxiety disorder. The main symptom of panic disorder is panic attacks. Describe Your Panic Attacks Panic attacks involve many physical and emotional symptoms. Tell your loved ones how panic attacks feel. "When I have a panic attack, I get chest pain, my heart races, I sweat a lot, and I feel afraid.""Sometimes when I have a panic attack, I feel as though I am having a heart attack or dying. Please get emergency medical help if I ever ask for it because I would rather be safe than ignore a potentially serious issue.""I have unexpected panic attacks, meaning that I can have a panic attack at any time without notice; there is not any type of situation that causes them.""I have expected panic attacks whenever I ... [drive, fly in an airplane, leave my home, or whatever type of situation often causes you to have a panic attack].""When I have a panic attack, it may appear that I am overreacting, but I’m not. I would not choose to feel that way. Please do not try to force me into feared situations." Common Panic Disorder Symptoms Share Your Fears Surrounding Panic Attacks Explain that panic disorder is diagnosed as occurring with or without agoraphobia. If you experience agoraphobia, describe what that means for you. "I have panic disorder with agoraphobia. This means that I have fears of having panic attacks in certain situations." (Let them know what situations cause you the fear, such as driving or being in large crowds). How Agoraphobia Is Diagnosed Talk About Treatment Your loved ones may be unfamiliar with treatment options. Share with them what you've learned and, if you're comfortable, share the treatment plan you've decided upon for yourself. "There are several treatment options for panic disorder. I have decided to ... [go to therapy, take medication, or both]." "I am getting professional help and over time I may be more comfortable in feared situations." "Antidepressants can also be used to treat panic disorder. My doctor has prescribed [the name or type of medication you take] for me, which helps me manage my panic and anxiety symptoms." "Sedatives can help reduce the severity of my anxiety and panic attacks. My doctor has prescribed an anti-anxiety medication that I take for panic attacks." The Top Treatment Options for Panic Disorder Other Considerations If there is something you are uncertain about (or prefer not to talk about), it is okay to let a loved one know that you would rather not discuss it.Be careful about with whom you choose to discuss your condition; some people may not be as trustworthy and understanding as others.Be willing to share additional resources about panic disorder with your family and friends. Consider emailing or printing out articles that address their questions directly. Being prepared with answers to common questions can help you feel more confident when addressing your loved ones about your condition. It's also important to stay up-to-date and continue to learn more about panic disorder symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for yourself. 5 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Hoppe LJ, Ipser J, Gorman JM, Stein DJ. Panic disorder. Handb Clin Neurol. 2012;106:363-374. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-52002-9.00020-6 Hamm AO, Richter J, Pané-Farré CA. When the threat comes from inside the body: a neuroscience based learning perspective of the etiology of panic disorder. Restor Neurol Neurosci. 2014;32(1):79-93. doi:10.3233/RNN-139011 Kolek A, Prasko J, Vanek J, et al. Severity of panic disorder, adverse events in childhood, dissociation, self-stigma and comorbid personality disorders Part 1: Relationships between clinical, psychosocial and demographic factors in pharmacoresistant panic disorder patients. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2019;40(5):233-246. Cisler JM. Semantic networks and mechanisms of exposure therapy: Implications for the treatment of panic disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2020;177(3):197-199. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.20010008 Zhang B, Wang C, Cui L, et al. Short-term efficacy and tolerability of paroxetine versus placebo for panic disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:275. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.00275 Additional Reading Oh S, Haha TH, Kim H, Lee H, Myung W. Emergency department visits for panic attacks and ambient temperature: A time-stratified case-crossover analysis. Depress Anxiety. 2020;37(11):1099-1107. doi:10.1002/da.23019 Shuja KH, Aqeel M, Jaffar A, Ahmed A. COVID-19 pandemic and impending global mental health implications. Psychiatr Danub. 2020;32(1):32-35. doi:10.24869/psyd.2020.32 By Katharina Star, PhD Katharina Star, PhD, is an expert on anxiety and panic disorder. Dr. Star is a professional counselor, and she is trained in creative art therapies and mindfulness. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist for Panic Disorder Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.