Sweating, heart palpitations, shortness of breath—it can feel like you're on the brink of disaster. These are classic signs of a panic attack, though they're rarely life-threatening.
Nearly 4% of Dutch adults experience panic disorder at some point. This condition involves recurrent, unexplained panic episodes followed by persistent fear of future attacks. It most commonly affects people aged 25-35 and is more prevalent in women than men.
Treatment Options
In about half of emergency room visits for chest pain or palpitations, no physical cause is identified—these symptoms often signal panic disorder. The good news: it's highly treatable. Combining medication and cognitive behavioral therapy leads to full recovery in 30-50% of cases.
Research on Panic Disorders
Cardiologist Petra Kuijpers at University Medical Center Maastricht has studied patients who often go untreated despite effective options. Her approach starts with a screening questionnaire for panic or depression, followed by a diagnostic 'provocation test.' As Kuijpers shared in Summum magazine: "Patients inhale from a bottle with 35% carbon dioxide. Healthy individuals might feel lightheaded, but those with the disorder experience full panic symptoms." This method is unique in the Netherlands.
