Panic Disorder is sometimes misdiagnosed as Congestive Heart Failure

It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Panic Disorder.

Panic disorder is a mental health disorder where patients have a sudden attack of intense fear that causes a physical response with no cause. Symptoms can include sense of impending doom, fear of loss of control or death, sweating, trembling, shaking, shortness of breath, chills, nausea, dizziness and faintness. As these are fairly common symptoms it can be easily misdiagnosed as heart issues, hormone conditions, gastrointestinal issues, inflammatory conditions, metabolic conditions, respiratory conditions, and neurologic conditions.

Always consult your doctor or health professional, and do not self diagnose.

Symptoms can include:

Headache, fear of loss of control or death, rapid and pounding heart rate, dizziness or light-headedness or faintness, sense of doom or danger, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, tightness in throat, chills, hot flashes, nausea, abdominal cramping, chest pain, numbness or tingling sensation, feeling of unreality or detachment

Symptoms are a guideline only and may apply to either the diagnosis or the reported misdiagnosis, or both. Consult your specialist for further information.

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