Panic Disorder Related Conditions Differences Between Panic Disorder and OCD They're separate types of disorders 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 November 10, 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 Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Getty Images/Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury It's not uncommon for a person to be diagnosed with both panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which are each marked by excessive worry and fear. However, OCD is a distinct disorder with its own set of symptoms and treatment. What Is OCD? As the name implies, OCD is characterized by obsessions in thinking and compulsions in behavior. The DSM-5 describes obsessions as recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are unsettling, intrusive, and unwanted. Someone with OCD will try to disregard them altogether or counteract them with different thoughts or behaviors. Compulsions are identified as repetitive behaviors or mental acts that someone feels obligated to do in order to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared incident or circumstance from occurring. These physical or mental actions are either excessive or not logically connected to what they are meant to avoid. A person with OCD may have a fear that germs will cause them to become sick and die (obsession) if they don't repeatedly wash their hands throughout the day (compulsion). A person with OCD will often remain preoccupied with these obsessions and compulsions, spending a large amount of time thinking about the obsessions and acting out the compulsions to the point that their social- and work-related activities are negatively affected. Obsessive Compulsive-Disorder Overview Disorders That Co-Exist With OCD It's very common for people with OCD to also be diagnosed with another disorder (known as "comorbid" disorders). Adults with OCD have a greater than 75% chance of having another anxiety disorder diagnosis (such as panic disorder) during their lifetime. Panic disorder is classified as an anxiety disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the manual mental health professionals use to guide them as they make a diagnosis. Panic disorder principally causes symptoms that include recurring panic attacks. These attacks are often described as intense fear accompanied by a variety of cognitive and physical symptoms such as trembling, difficulty breathing, and sweating. Out of fear of experiencing another attack, many panic disorder sufferers will avoid certain situations and events. This fear and avoidance can lead to agoraphobia, a fear of places, or situations that the person feels that escape or help would be difficult if they developed a panic attack. OCD Recurring obsessions and compulsions Extensive rituals to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions Panic Disorder Recurring panic attacks Avoidance out of fear of having another attack Treatment and How to Cope There are effective treatment options and coping techniques for alleviating the symptoms of OCD and panic disorder, and they frequently overlap. For instance, both disorders are commonly treated with a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which target a neurotransmitter called serotonin that helps decrease anxiety. Likewise, cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that helps change a person’s faulty or negative thinking and assists in shifting unhealthy behaviors, is a recognized treatment for OCD and panic disorder. A trained mental health professional can diagnose and provide appropriate treatment for both conditions. The Best Online Therapy Programs We've tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. 4 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. Pallanti S, Grassi G, Sarrecchia ED, Cantisani A, Pellegrini M. Obsessive-compulsive disorder comorbidity: clinical assessment and therapeutic implications. Front Psychiatry. 2011;2:70. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2011.00070 National Institute of Mental Health. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Ruscio AM, Stein DJ, Chiu WT, Kessler RC. The epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Mol Psychiatry. 2010;15(1):53-63. doi:10.1038/mp.2008.94 Marazziti D, Carlini M, Dell'osso L. Treatment strategies of obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder/agoraphobia. Curr Top Med Chem. 2012;12(4):238-53. doi:10.2174/1568026799078688 Additional Reading American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author; 2013. 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.