- Women who are having an actual heart attack or acute heart problem are much more likely to be misdiagnosed as having an anxiety attack than are men with similar symptoms.
- Mitral valve prolapse, a common and usually mild heart problem, may have symptoms that are nearly identical to those of panic disorder. The two conditions, in fact, frequently occur together.
- Two-thirds of people with a heart-rhythm disturbance called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia have the same symptoms as those with panic attacks.
Asthma. Asthma attacks and panic attacks have similar symptoms and can also coexist.
Hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism can cause many of the same symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and must be ruled out.
 | Click the icon to see an image of hyperthyroidism. |
Epilepsy. The symptoms of partial seizures and panic attacks often overlap.
Other Medical Conditions. In addition, anxiety-like symptoms are seen in many other medical problems, including hypoglycemia, recurrent pulmonary emboli, and adrenal-gland tumors. Women can also experience intense anxiety attacks with hot flashes during menopause.
Medication Side Effects. Many drugs, including some for high blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid disorders, can produce symptoms of anxiety. Withdrawal from certain drugs, often those used to treat sleep disorders or anxiety, can also precipitate anxiety reactions.
Substance Abuse. People with anxiety disorders often drink alcohol or abuse drugs in order to conceal or ameliorate symptoms, but substance abuse and dependency can also cause anxiety. In addition, withdrawal from alcohol can produce physiologic symptoms similar to panic attacks. Clinicians often have difficulty determining whether alcoholism or anxiety is the primary disorder. Overuse of caffeine or abuse of amphetamines can cause symptoms resembling a panic attack.
Screening Tests
Clinicians can use various screening tests to determine the causes, type, severity, and frequency of anxiety. Such tests include the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule.
Screening tests for children include the Child Behavior Checklist, which measures a child's ability to function, the Leyton Obsessional Inventory-Child Version for OCD, and the STEPP test for post-traumatic stress.
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